^
LANDMARKS
OF
WAYNE COUNTY
NEW YORK
HUustratefc
EDITED BY
HON. GEORGE WTCOWLES
OF CLYDE, N. Y.
ASSISTED BY H. P. SMITH AND OTHERS
SYRACUSE, N. Y.
D. Mason & Company, Publishers
1895
VB>
FTa.7
Bequest
Albert Adsit demons
Aug. 24, 1938
(Not available for exchange)
INTRODUCTORY.
In presenting this historical and biographical record of Wayne
county to its readers, the editor and his associates feel that no
apology is demanded, either for the motives which first prompted
the undertaking or for the accomplished results. While several
more or less incomplete works treating upon the history of this
locality have been published prior to the inception of this volume,
it is true that the field has never been properly occupied. This
fact was realized and appreciated by the representative people of
the county, most of whom had. lqng.entertained the desire that a
work worthy of the subjeet, and comprehensive and reasonably cor-
rect, might be published before many "of the sources of information
should become extinct.
No person unfamiliar with work of this kind can properly appre-
ciate its difficulties. Were it otherwise, and could the many who
will turn these pages have followed the long course of the task,
their censure would fall very lightly upon the heads of the editor
and his helpers. No writer ever has, probably never will, produce
such a volume, containing a great mass of material and thousands
of names and dates, without numerous errors. For this reason, if
for no other, absolute accuracy will not be expected herein. It is
believed that all who may read these pages will feel kindly disposed
and pass over the occasional errors to the perusal of that which
fully meets their expectations.
iv INTRODUCTION.
To all who have aided in the preparation of this work (and they
are so numerous as to render it impracticable to name them here),
the gratitude of editors and publishers is due and hereby expressed.
No worthy history of this county could have been written without
such aid.
The editor of the work desires to make especial acknowledgment
of the assistance rendered him in his part of the work by H. P.
Smith and W. Stanley Child, for their intelligent and faithful co-
operation ; and to the press of the county, county officers, pastors
of churches, school officials, and all of the many who have other
wise contributed to the work.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Original Civil Divisions of New York State — Subsequent Divisions — Physical
Characteristics of Wayne County — Fish and Animals of this Locality — Cli-
matic Peculiarities — Effects of the Climate upon the Health of the Settlers
— Coming of Wayne County Pioneers. i
CHAPTER II.
Indian Occupation of Western New York — Treatment of Indians by White Men
— Relation of the Indians to Wayne County — The Jesuits and their Work —
Local Operations in the War of the Revolution — Indian Remains 9
CHAPTER III.
Early Conditions in Western New York — Sketches of the "Genesee Country"
and the Phelps andGorham Purchase — The Pre-emption Lines — Organization
of Companies to Secure Lands in Western New York — A Very Extensive
" Mill-Yard "—The Morris Reserve— The Military Tract as Related to Wayne
County. ...14
CHAPTER IV.
Early Conditions in the "Genesee Country" — Efforts of Great Britain to Retain
the Territory — Fears of Indian Invasion — Lack of Means of Communication
with the East — Charles Williams and his Work — Colony on the Genesee River
— Quaker Settlement at Jerusalem — Settlement at Canandaigua — List of Set-
tlers West of Pre-emption Line — Opening of Roads — A Journey Westward
from Albany — Privations of Pioneers. . . _ 26
CHAPTER V.
Beginning of Settlement in the Territory of Wayne County — Early Map of West-
ern New York — Map of the "Genesee Lands" — Localities First Settled in
Wayne County — Beginning at East Palmyra — Importance of Ganargwa
Creek — First Improvement at Sodus Bay — Improvement of Highways — Set-
tlements in Various Localities — The Threatened Canadian Invaion — Final
Establishment of Peaceful Conditions — Estimate of Williamson's Policy 39
vi CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VI.
Circumstances of the Pioneers — Current Prices of Produce — Inconvenience of
Distant Markets — Gradual Improvement of Roads — Old Stage Lines — Erec-
tion of Early Mills— Outbreak of the War of 1812— Effects of the Conflict in
Wayne County — Military Operations at Sodus Bay — Account of a Skirmish
— Descent upon Pultneyville — General Improvements Following the Close of
the War. - 52
CHAPTER VII.
Further Improvement in Means of Transportation — Discussion of the "Grand
Canal" — Investigation and Surveys — Progress and Completion of the Great
Work — Its Effect upon Wayne County — Other Public Improvements — The
First Railroad — The Railroads of Wajne County — Brief History of Mormon-
ism — Inception of Spiritualism 65
CHAPTER VIII.
End of the Reign of Peace — The First Gun — Military Enthusiasm — Wayne County
The President's First Proclamation — The First Company Recruited in Wayne
County — Sketches of the Various other Wayne County Organizations 83
CHAPTER IX.
Since the War — Internal Improvements — Legislative Acts— Agricultural Pro-
ductions— Peppermint — Statistics, etc. — Civil List — Recapitulation. 91
CHAPTER X.
Comparison of State Law with the Common Law — Evolution of the Courts — The
Court of Appeals — The Supreme Court — The Court of Chancery — The County
Court — The Surrogate's Court — Justice's Court — District Attorneys — Sheriffs
— Court House — Judicial Officers — Personal Notes. 101
CHAPTER XI.
The Medical Profession — Wayne County Medical Society — Wayne County Homeo-
pathic Medical Society — Sketches and Reminiscences. 121
CHAPTER XII.
The Press of Wayne County. - - . 131
CHAPTER XIII.
Secret Societies 146
CONTENTS, vii
CHAPTER XIV.
Agricultural Societies, County Institutions, &c. 159
CHAPTER XV.
History of the Town of Palmyra. 165
CHAPTER XVI.
History of the Town of Sodus. 197
CHAPTER XVII.
History of the Town and Village of Lyons. . . 221
CHAPTER XVIII.
History of the Town of Galen. 251
CHAPTER XIX.
History of the Town of Wolcott 282
CHAPTER XX.
History of the Town of Williamson. 304
CHAPTER XXI.
History of the Town of Ontario 319
CHAPTER XXII.
History of the Town of Macedon 329
CHAPTER XXIII.
History of the Town of Savannah 346
CHAPTER XXIV.
History of the Town of Arcadia. __ 357
CHAPTER XXV.
History of the Town of Marion. ..382
viii CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXVI.
History of the Town of Walworth. ... . .' 394
CHAPTER XXVII.
History of the Town of Rose. . - . 402
CHAPTER XXVIII.
History of the Town of Huron. . . . . 417
CHAPTER XXIX.
History of the Town of Butler. . 427
PART II.
Biographies 1-42
PART III.
Family Sketches ...1-321
Index to Part I 323-328
Index to Part II 329
Index to Part III 330-343
Index to Portraits.. 343
Landmarks of Wayne County.
CHAPTER I.
Original Civil Divisions of New York State — Subsequent Divisions — Physical
Characteristics of Wayne County — Fish and Animals of this Locality — Climatic
Peculiarities — Effects of the Climate upon Health of the Settlers — Coming of Wayne
County Pioneers.
The original ten counties of what is now the State of New York were
created November 1, 1683, and named Albany, Dutchess, Kings, New
York, Orange, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, Ulster, and Westchester.
On the 11th of March, 1772, Montgomery county was erected under the
name of " Tryon " (the change in name was made in 1784), and em-
braced nearly the whole of the central and western part of the State.
In 1789 all that part of the State lying west of Phelps & Gorham's pre-
emption line (see outline map of the county on a later page), was
erected into the county of Ontario, which ultimately gave a part of its
territory to Wayne county. Two years later (1791), Herkimer county
was taken from Montgomery; in 1794, Onondaga county was set off
from Herkimer ; in 1799, Cayuga was taken from Onondaga, and in
1804, Seneca county was taken from Cayuga, and ultimately gave a
part of its territory to Wayne county. Seneca county was embraced
in the military tract, described herein. From the two counties of On-
tario and Seneca, Wayne county was erected on the 11th of April,
1823. Most of that part of the county lying east of the pre-emption
line was taken from the military tract, and now embraces the towns of
Savannah, Galen, Butler, Rose, Wolcott and Huron; and all of the
county west of that line, embracing the towns of Lyons, Arcadia,
Sodus, Williamson, Marion, Palmyra, Ontario, Walworth and Macedon,
was taken from Ontario county. The dates of the formation of the
fifteen towns now composing Wayne county were as follows : Palmyra
l
2 LANDMARKS OF
and Sodus, January, 1780; Williamson, February 20, 1802; Ontario,
March 27, 1807; Wolcott, March 24, 1807; Lyons, March 1, 1811;
Galen, February 14, 1812; Macedon, January 21), 1823; Savannah,
November 24, 1824; Arcadia, February 15, 1825; Rose, February 5,
1826; Huron, February 25, 182(3; Butler, February 26, 1826; Wal-
worth, April 20, 1829. It will be noticed that several of these towns
have been erected since the formation of the county.
The law erecting Wayne county states that it should contain the
towns of Wolcott and Galen, in Seneca county (from which have been
taken four other towns), and Lyons, Sodus, Williamson, Ontario, and
Macedon, and all that part of Phelps north of an east and west line
from the southwest corner of Galen to the east line of Manchester,
from Ontario county; from these six towns, three others have been
erected since the county was set off, making the present fifteen. That
part of Phelps above described was added to the town of Lyons. The
act of organization also gave the new county two members of Assem-
bly, and ordered the first election to be held on the first Tuesday of
May, 1824, and the two succeeding days. It also made the county a
part of the Twenty-sixth Congressional District, and of the Seventh
Senatorial District, now in Twenty-eighth Senatorial District. The
county received its name in honor of Gen. Anthony Wayne, of the
Revolutionary Army. It is bounded on the north by Lake Ontario;
east by Cayuga county; south by Seneca and Ontario counties, and
west by Monroe county.
The surface of Wayne county is level or slightly rolling, and is gen-
erally admirably adapted to agriculture. It has a general slope north-
ward towards the great lake. Proceeding southward from the lake a
quite uniform rise continues to what is known as " The Ridge." This
is an elevation extending across the county from east to west, follow-
ing to a certain extent the shore conformation of the lake and continuing
on westward through Monroe, Orleans, and Niagara counties. Its
height is from 150 to 188 feet. This peculiar elevation, its situation
with reference to the lake shore, its constituent soil, have revealed to
ardent and persistent students of geology the assurance that in past
ages it constituted the southern shore of Lake Ontario, the waters of
which have since receded northward. J The accompanying outline
1 Professor Hall, State geologist, says of this ridge: "It bears all the marks of
having been the boundary of a large body of water, and of having been produced in
WAYNE COUNTY. 3
geological map indicates not only the line of the ridge, but also other
interesting matters, with the probable location of the once great glacier
that is believed to have existed to the northward.
Map of Lake Iroquois.
Showing the line of the present lake shore, the original shore line, the former supposed outlet of the
lake by the Mohawk River, and the situation of the great northern ice sheet. 1
On the Wayne county lake shore is by far the largest indentation on
the southern shore of the lake — Sodus Bay. It is a safe as well as a
beautiful harbor, its projecting headlands, varied shore line and
pictnesque island commanding unqualified admiration. One traveler
of early times described it as "rivalling the Bay of Naples in the purity
of its waters and the romantic nature of its scenery." It was visited
the same manner as the elevated beaches bordering the ocean or our larger lakes.
. . Its seaward side is usually covered with coarse gravel and often with large
pebbles, resembling the shingle of the sea beaches. The top is generally of coarse
sand and gravel, though sometimes of fine sand, as if blown up by the wind, similar
to modern beaches."
1 From "The Niagara Book," Underhill & Nichols, Buffalo, 1893.
4 LANDMARKS OF
by the Jesuits and given by them the name "Assorodus," or "silver
waters." It was also a noted loeality with the Indians, who made it a
meeting place for various purposes.
The ridge has an upper surface width of from fifty to two hundred
feet, and southward of this the surface of the county is somewhat
broken by north and south ridges, with rather abrupt northward head-
ings and sloping of southward, rising in some places to the dignity of
hills, but in almost all sections susceptible of tillage. These ridges are
composed of clay, sand and gravel, and seem to be deposits from strong
currents of water.
The soil of the county generally is derived from drift deposits and
composed of a sandy or gravelly loam, with minor intermixture of clay.
Along the lake shore it is principally derived from the disintegration
of the Medina sand stone, making a reddish, sandy loam. In the val-
ley of Clyde River is a rich soil of gravelly loam and alluvium. There
is considerable marsh land in the county, along the Clyde and Seneca
Rivers and north of the ridge, the surface of which when drained is
covered with a deep and rich vegetable mold, which is very fertile.
The lowest rock in this county is the Medina sandstone, which is so
extensively quarried in various localities in Western New York for
building and paving purposes. It appears on the lake and in the ravines
near to it, occupying a strip about two miles in average width and
widest in the western part. This sandstone embraces four species,
which are geologically described as the red marl, which decomposes by
exposure and is the source of the red clay of this locality; the gray
quartzose sandstone, which succeeds the one just mentioned, and is
the hardest of the group; the red shale, or sandstone, a red shaly or
marly mass, as its title indicates, mottled with spots of greenish gray;
and the greenish -gray argillaceous sandstone, similar to the one last
named, except in its color. The extent of the Medina group seems
quite limited when compared with the remaining rocks of this period.
It occurs through Western New York, thinning out to the eastward and
is not found beyond Utica. Southward of the Appalachian region it
extends through to Pennsylvania and Virginia, attaining in some places
a thickness of 1,500 feet. On the Niagara River it is from 350 to 400
feet thick, passes into Canada and has been found as far north as the
Straits of Mackinac.
Next above the Medina stone comes the Clinton group of limestone
and shales, extending to the foot of the limestone ridge. Then sue-
WAYNE COUNTY. 5
ceeds the Niagara limestone, forming the summit ridge and occupying
a strip about three miles in width. This gradually increases in depth
to the westward; is thirty to forty feet thick in Wayne county, from
seventy to eighty in Rochester, while at Niagara Falls it is more than
160 feet thick. In Pennsylvania its thickness exceeds 1,500 feet.
Minerals are found in this stone, but none of great value. South of
the lim&stone in this county is the Onondaga salt group of red and
green shales and gypsum, extending to the southern border and oc-
cupying nearly one-half of the county. These rocks are mostly covered
with thick deposits of drift, and are not extensively exposed except in
ravines. Weak salt and sulphur springs are found in various localities
in the Medina sandstone and the red shales of the Onondaga salt group.
Wayne county is well watered Ganargwa, or Mud Creek, enters
the southwest corner of the county from Ontario, flows in a general
easterly course to Lyons, where it unites with the Canandaigua outlet
and forms the Clyde River. This considerable stream received its name
from William McNab, a Scotch settler; it continues eastward to the
eastern bounds of the county, where it discharges its waters into Seneca
River. The Clyde, like all other streams, was once of considerable
more volume than it now has and was navigable as far as Lyons and
the Ganargwa (Mud Creek), even farther, constituting a highway for
the pioneers and a link in the chain of interrupted waterways from
Albany westward. Mud Creek and the Clyde receive from the north-
west Red Creek, East Red Creek, and Bear Creek, and several small
brooks from the south. The streams flowing into Lake Ontario are
Bear, Ueer, Davis, Salmon, Thomas, Wolcott, and Big and Little Red
Creeks. First, Second, and Third creeks flow into Sodus Bay. The
only considerable body of water in the county is Crusoe Lake, in the
southeast corner.
The climate of Wayne county is more equable and healthful than in
many other localities of the same latitude. This was not fully under-
stood in earl}'' years, and much of the sickness of those times was at-
tributed to climatic influences. This was undoubtedly an error ; the
causes of prevailing diseases were more specific and local, such as clear-
ing the lands along streams like Ganargwa Creek, thus lowering the
water and leaving decaying vegetation exposed to the sun; the plowing
up of new lands, etc. With the termination of these causes, their ill
effects also disappeared in large measure. The equable climate of this
locality is rightly attributed to the proximity of the great lake, whose
6 LANDMARKS OF
waters it is believed absorb the excessive sun heat of summer and
modify the severe cold of winter. The mean temperature here extend-
ing over a period of several years has been shown to be a little over
forty-eight degrees. No section of the State of New York at the present
time has a more varied and at the same time delightful climate than
Wayne county.
The prevailing sickness of early years was fever, and it was wide
spread and often fatal in all parts of the Genesee country. In an essay
prepared by Dr. Ludlow on this subject he said: None were exempt
from the intermittent fevers which prevailed (in 1801). Peruvian bark
was generally a remedy, but was of rare use. When left to nature,
the disease became typhoid, and endangered recovery. All fevers,
except fever and ague, were called by the people, "Lake or Genesee
fevers."
After tracing the course of these diseases through several years, Dr.
Ludlow said that the principal disease up to 1822 was dysentery, which
was most fatal to children. While after 1828 fevers became rarely
fatal, and that now records of health and longevity are favorable to
Wayne county.
Into this region came during the last decade of the preceding century
and the early years of the present century, a class of pioneers who
were, as a rule, well adapted to the work of founding homes and com-
munities in the wilderness. They were men and women endowed with
ambition, firmness of purpose, industrious, and frugal. Such qualifica-
tions were necessary to enable them to succeed in their undertaking;
and their success was in very many instances dearly bought, as the
reader of these pages will learn. Aside from the natural sources of
food before mentioned, provisions were scarce and costly. Even the
necessary article of salt was almost impossible to obtain, except by a
long and tedious journey to Onondaga. As an example of what it cost
to secure a little salt, it is related that three men started from the town
of Victor (Ontario county), in the fall of 1790 for Palmyra on their way
to the salt springs, they and their neighbors being destitute of the
article. At Palmyra they took a Schenectady boat and went their toil-
some way. A little below the junction of Ganargwa Creek and the
outlet, they encountered a stretch of drift wood fifteen rods or more in
extent, and had to haul their boat up a steep shore and around the ob-
struction on rollers, and re-embark below. After days of hard labor
they reached the salt works of Asa Danforth at Salina, where they pro-
WAYNE COUNTY. 7
cured twelve barrels of salt and started homeward. While in Seneca
River a snow storm came on and ice formed in the stream. Often the
men were forced to get into the freezing water in order to proceed at
all. Both boat and salt had to be transported around the driftwood,
and at Lyon's landing boat and cargo were left, and later were carried
from there to their destination by the aid of six yoke of oxen, wagons
and sleds, through the wilderness. This is only an incident, but it
clearly indicates what the pioneers often had to undergo to avoid suf-
fering and keep their families in even tolerable comfort.
Those who live in the comfortable homes of Wayne county to-day,
and especially those of the younger generation, can scarcely realize the
hardships endured by their ancestors, except as they may have heard
their stories related, or have read them in the records that have been
laboriously gathered and preserved in the few volumes devoted to local
history.
The lake shore in Wayne county is generally bold and varies greatly
in height ; at the mouth of Salmon Creek it is ten feet high, a little
lower in Williamston, and at Sodus Point, from eighty to a hundred
feet. The Erie Canal is carried along the valley cf the Clyde, from
both sides of which the surface rises very gradually. Canandaigua,
Crooked, Seneca and Cayuga Lakes charge northwardly into the stream
which traverses this valley. The stream is known first as Mud Creek,
(it has recently taken the more euphonius Indian name of Ganargwa),
until joined by the Canandaigua outlet, when it becomes Clyde River,
and so continues eastward to Montezuma, where it receives through
the Seneca outlet, the waters of Crooked, Seneca and Cayuga Lakes,
continues east into Onondaga county, where it joins the outlet of Oneida
Lake to form the Oswego River.
The Cayuga (or Montezuma) marshes occupy a part of the town of
Savannah, surrounding both sides of Crusoe Island, and extend into
the south part of Butler. What is known as Cooper's swamp is situated
in the south part of Williamston. There is also a cranberry swamp
at the head of Port Bay. These swamps contain deposits of marl, in
which are found quantities of fresh-water shells.
There are several sulphur springs about one and a half miles south
of Newark. Another is situated on Salmon Creek in Sodus; others
near Palmyra, Clyde and Marion Center. The waters of these springs
have not been used extensively.
8 LANDMARKS OF
111 the early history of this locality, a large salt spring was dis-
covered in the town of Savannah on the western edge of the Cayuga
marshes. Salt was manufactured here in limited quantities in early
years. Salt springs were also discovered in the town of Wolcott,
where an impure salt was made as early as L815. A salt spring was
found on a small creek emptying into the bay near Sodus Point. Bor-
ings were made many years ago for salt about two miles east of Lock-
pit near the canal, and originally a spring existed at tins point. A
limited product was manufactured here for a time. In 1832, a company
was organized and borings for salt begun near Clyde village. The im-
mediate locality showed no indications of salt, but at a depth of four
hundred feet salt water was obtained of good strength, but in limited
quantity. No salt is now made in the county.
Iron ore has been discovered in various places. About a mile east of
Lockpit bog-iron occurs near the surface. A bed of argillaceous oxide
of iron crosses the county from east to west at about two miles from the
lake. This ore has been worked in furnaces in the towns of Wolcott,
Sodus and Ontario; it lias also been ground for paint. Further details
of the iron manufacturing industry will be given in the later town
histories.
In the towns of Butler, Rose, Sodus, Marion and Walworth the
Niagara limestone occurs and has been extensively burned for lime.
A slaty limestone is found near Newark, and also in the southern part
of Williamston, from which lime has been made. The Niagara lime-
stone before mentioned furnishes in man}' localities excellent building
stone.
Wavne county contains 356,513 acres of land, of which about 275, 0(H)
acres are improved.
At the time of the first settlement of this locality by white men, the
streams of the county abounded with fish. Salmon ran up Salmon
Creek and other streams in great numbers, and they added much to the
food supply of the pioneers. The land was covered with a thick forest,
principally of hard wood trees, such as oak, hickory, beech, birch and
maple, with some soft woods on the low lands. The cutting away of
these forests by the pioneers was a task of great magnitude ; but it gave
them a source of cash income at a time when there was almost no
other, through the manufacture of potash from the ashes of the burned
logs, and in later years from the timber and fire-wood. The forests
were filled with wild animals — deer, bears, wolves, all of which were
WAYNE COUNTY.
numerous, with such smaller animals as the beaver in very early years,
the raccoon, hedgehog, squirrels, etc. While the bears and wolves
were destructive of domestic animals, they with the numerous deer
furnished an ever-ready source of food to the settlers.
CHAPTER II.
Indian Occupation of Western New York— Treatment of Indians by White Men —
Relation of the Indians to Wayne County — The Jesuits and their Work — Local
Operations in the War of the Revolution — Indian Remains.
The first white man who penetrated the wilderness which once
covered what is now the State of New York, found its northern and
western parts inhabited and dominated by nations of that remarkable
race of copper-colored people whom we call Indians — in reality the
native Americans. The question whence they originated is shrouded
in mystery and so must remain ; but we well know whither they are
going. Unnumbered ages hence their disappearance from the earth
may be enveloped in the deep oblivion that now hides their origin.
The detailed history of this race cannot be followed in this volume,
nor is it desirable that it should be; for it is writ upon the glowing
pages of the past by many gifted pens. As to the right or wrong of
their conquest and rapidly approaching extinction, wise men differ.
At the foundation of the question is the fact that in the world's history,
civilization must advance at whatever cost to the uncivilized; the
ignorant must go down before the educated; the weak before the
strong; might, if not always right, will triumph. If the Indians with
their undisciplined passions fired by the white man's rum, armed with
the guns placed in their hands in exchange for valuable furs at a ten-
fold profit, driven from their hunting grounds when no longer a source
of gain to the invaders — if they finally retaliated and committed bar.
barities, the record of which fills the pages of history with horror, what
else should have been expected? The fact remains that there is not an
instance on record where the natives did not receive the first visit of
the white man with hospitality and kindness. We may well, there-
fore, give a thought to what it was that produced the great change in
2
10 LANDMARKS OF
the attitude of the Indian towards his Caucasian superior. The former
never desired to part with his lands; and the latter stole what he could
not buy. 1 The Indians retaliated by murdering" the thieves. With
Champlain shooting with his terrorizing gunpowder upon the guileless
Iroquois in 1600 on the lake that bears his name;2 with the sancti-
monious Jesuits beguiling the natives to secure their allegiance — and
their furs — for France; with the sagacious Dutch following Hendrick
Hudson up the great river that bears his name, within a year or two
after Champlain killed his first Indian a little farther north ; and with
the English landing on the Atlantic shores a few years later, to hood-
wink the natives out of their lands — with all this going on it is scarcely
a marvel that the gradually aroused Indians became revengful. The
correspondence of that lifelong friend of the Indians, Sir William
Johnson, with his superiors, is one long catalogue of remonstrances
against the wrongs of every kind to which the natives were subjected.
The Iroquois Indians, as they were first called by the French, known
as the Five Nations (subsequently the Six Nations) by the English,
were established across the State of New York beginning with the
Mohawks on the east, with the ( hieidas (with whom the Tuscaroras
were subsequently practically amalgamated), the Onondagas, the
Cayugas, and the Senecas next, in the order named. What is now
Erie county, and contiguous territory on the west and north, was oc-
cupied by a nation called by the French the Neuter Nation, from the
fact that they endeavored to and generally did, remain at peace with
1 As late as July. 1755, an Iroquois chief, in addressing Sir William Johnson, said:
"Brother — you desire us to unite and live together and draw all our allies near us;
but we shall have no land left either for ourselves or them, for your people when
they buy a small piece of land of us, by stealing make it large. We desire such
things may not be done, and that your people may not be suffered to buy any more
of our lands. Sometimes it is sought of two men who are not the proper owners of it.
The land which reaches down from Oswego to Schanandowana (Wyoming) we beg
may not be settled by Christians. The governor of Pennsylvania bought a whole
tract and only paid for half, and we desire that you will let him know that we will
not part with the other half, but keep it." This seems a reasonable speech for a
savage, regarding what he believed to be his own property; and even an Indian is
likely to light when he is robbed.
- The moment they saw me they halted, gazing at me and I at them. 1 raised my
arquebus, and aiming directly at one of the three chiefs, two of them fell to the
ground by this shot; one of their companions received a wound of which he died
afterwards. I had put four balls in my arquebus. The Iroquois were greatly aston-
ished seeing two men killed so instantaneously. — From Champlain 's 'Journal.
WAYNE COUNTY. 11
the warlike Eries, still farther west, and the Iroquois on the east, until
they were all finally subdued by the latter, long before the coming of
white men. From that time onward until the natives were conquered
by the new comers the Iroquois roamed over a large part of the country,
conquering and triumphant, lords of the soil that bore them.
As far as relates to the territory of which this work is to treat, it was
shared alike by the Cayugas in its eastern part, and by the Senecas in
the western part. "The Cayugas possessed the country between the
Onondagas and the Senecas. It was laved on the north by Lake On-
tario, and stretched southward about ninety miles. It contained all of
the county of Seneca, the easterly half of Wayne, and western parts of
Cayuga and Tompkins. Their main stations were on the east and
west sides of Cayuga Lake a little south of the outlet. Canoga, their
chief town, was on the east side of the lake. Here they had a castle."1
The Senecas possessed the whole country to the westward indefinitely.
Among these nations of Indians came that remarkable order of
French religious enthusiasts to convert them to Catholicism and secure
their fealty to the French crown. From 1611 to towards the close of
that century, priests of that order came over to Montreal and from
there penetrated all sections of what is now Northern and Central New
York, enduring almost unparalleled privations and often suffering death
in the cause. They were the discoverers of the Onondaga Salt Springs
and taught the natives how to boil the water to obtain the coveted
article. In some instances they appear to have made religious impres-
sions upon the Indians, but with little permanent results toward civiliz-
ing them. With La Salle, in 1669, came two of the Jesuit missionaries,
De Casson and De Galinee. The party landed on the 10th of August
at the mouth of Irondequoit Bay. Father Chaumonot, who labored
among the Onondagas, had been in this region thirteen years earlier.
In November, 1668, the Senecas sent to Montreal a request that a
mission be established among them. Father Fremin came on promptly
and found a pestilence raging among the nation, and called Father
Gamier from the Onondagas to his aid. Fremin established himself in
what is now Ontario county four miles southeast from Victor, and there
founded the Mission of St. Michael. He labored there until 1671, while
Gamier founded the Mission of St. James, also in what is now Victor,
and remained until 1683.
1 History of the State of New York, James Macauley, 1829, Vol. II, p. 300.
12 LANDMARKS OF
It is not known that the Jesuits had a mission or a station in what is
now Wayne county. It is extremely probable that they did not. But
it is just as probable that their boats often landed on the shores of
Sodus Bay, and possibly at other points along the present shore line of
the county. With the decline of the French power and its final extinc-
tion, the Jesuits were driven from the country, and were succeeded
throughout the State by English missionaries, chief among whom was
the Rev. Samuel Kirkland, who labored long among the Senecas and
Cayugas. But it cannot be said that all the religious labor and sacri-
fice that has been expended upon the Indians of the country has accom-
plished much good. The Indian had his religion and his deity, the
"Great Spirit," and it has been easier for the white man to exterminate,
than to convert him.
As far as relates to the immediate territory of which this work treats,
it almost or quite wholly escaped the effects of the wars which at
various times during more than one hundred and fifty years, were pros-
ecuted between the French, the English and the Indians. Here the
Senecas and the Cayugas trod the deep forest in quest of game, or
followed the trails to and from the great lake; but as far as known no
conflict occurred in this immediate region. While the Mohawks and
other eastern nations of the Iroquious were, as a rule, loyal to the
English, or neutral, in the long struggle with France, the power of the
French constantly increased for many years among the Senecas; but in
spite of this the French never obtained a firm foothold in what is now
New York State. The English arms, allied with the greater part of
the Iroquois, prevented such a result. With equal facility had France,
England, and Spain as well, parceled out vast provinces in the new
world. The French established a fortified trading post on the Niagara
River in 1683—4, but it was captured for the English under Sir William
Johnson in 1759, and surrendered to the United States in 1796, several
years after the close of the Revolutionary War. In 1729 a trading post
was built on the site of Oswego, under the administration of the colo-
nial government of New York, and five years later it was strengthened
into a considerable fortification. The place was captured by the French
in 1750, and destroyed. The works were rebuilt in 1758 by the English,
and continued in their possession until 1799. Bloody wars continued
until the final extinction of French power in 1763. There was strife
from the beginning to gain the fealty of the Indians. They were not
only extremely useful as fighters for either power, but their friendship
WAYNE COUNTY. 13
was equally desirable for purposes of trade. (Of course they were
regularly swindled by either party towards which they leaned. )
When the Revolutionary War broke out and England was to be
taught that there were some small portions of the earth whose people
would not submit to practical slavery, the provincials held a council
with chiefs of the Six Nations at German Flats (now in Herkimer county)
and secured from the Indians a promise that they would remain neutral
through that struggle. But through the influence of the Johnsons and
other prominent tories the Iroquois, with the exception of the Oneidas
and Tuscaroras, violated their pledge and adhered to the English
cause through the war. The barbarities of the tories and Indians in
the Mohawk Valley and elsewhere in this State, are too familiar to need
attention here. To punish the Indians, and especially the Senecas,
and to capture Fort Niagara, Sullivan's expedition was organized in
1779. Under that general a large force met the enemy near the site
of Elmira and defeated them with great loss. Thence northward
through the country of the Senecas the victorious Americans marched,
destroying villages by the score and all other property belonging to the
natives. Although not many of the Senecas were killed after the first
battle, they were thoroughly humbled and frightened into submission.
Abandoning from that time their villages east of the Genesee River,
they settled down near Geneseo, Mount Morris and other points in
Western New York.
Indian relics and remains have been found in various parts of Central
and Western New York, many of them merely indicating the former
presence of the natives, while others of more permanent character,
point to a very remote period of antiquity and to the possession of
characteristics by their former owners differing in considerable degree
from those of the Indians with whom the white men first became
familiar. An account of these remains would be out of place in these
pages, and the reader is referred to the various works on that and
allied subjects which are to be found in every library. As far as relates
to the territory of Wayne county, nothing has been found to lead
to the belief that it was more than a part of the transient huntino-
grounds of the Cayugas and the Senecas, or that it was ever the site of
a permanent Indian village.
14 LANDMARKS OF
CHAPTER III.
Early Conditions in Western New York — Sketches of the "Genesee Country" and
the Phelps and Gorham Purchase — The Pre-emption Lines — Organization of Com-
panies to Secure Lands in Western New York— A Very Extensive "Mill Yard"— The
Morris Reserve— The Military Tract as Related to Wayne County.
As we have before pointed out, the larger part of what is now Wayne
county, formerly constituted the northeastern corner of the great
county of Ontario ; while the larger part of the remainder of the
county's territory lay in the northwest corner of the military tract.
The territory of the county also formed a small part of that compara-
tively vast and largely undefined section of the State long popularly
known as "The Genesee Country," celebrated alike for its beauty and
its fertility. Moreover, that part of the present county west of the
new pre-emption line (see outline map) was the northeastern corner of
the great Phelps and Gorham purchase. A brief description of these
several divisions becomes pertinent to our purpose.
Previous to the Revolution little was known in Eastern New York
and New England, of the western part of the State. During the
twenty-four years while it was in possession of the English, communi-
cation had been kept open between western posts and the east by
water via Niagara and Oswego. Through this channel and, possibly,
from reports of the missionary, Samuel Kirkland, some slight knowl-
edge of the afterwards famous locality reached eastward.
Sullivan's campaign in 1779, directly into the heart of the Genesee
country, gave it a wider fame. There were many soldiers and officers
in his army who were eagerly watching for a desirable locality in which
to settle when their services in the field were ended; and they were
quick to discover the attractions of Central New York. "Returning
to the firesides of Eastern New York and New England, they relieved
the dark picture of retaliatory warfare — the route, the fighting,
smouldering cabins, pillage and spoliation — with the lighter shades —
descriptions of the lakes and rivers, the rolling uplands and rich val-
WAYNE COUNTY. 15
leys — the Canaan of the wilderness they had seen."1 Less than four
years after Sullivan's expedition, the war closed and the restive and
ambitious American spirit began its westward progress.
In the rather reckless division and gathering of the new world by
European powers before their claims to it were fully established, the
English king granted to the Massachusetts Colony a section of territory
larger, propably, than his entire landed possessions, the boundaries of
which grant neither he nor the colonists were then able to define. In
brief, the territory chartered extended from the southern bounds of
the colony to the northern, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean;
but what the distance was between the two oceans no one then knew.
To further complicate the situation, the king afterwards chartered to
New York a section of the same territory previously granted to Mas-
sachusetts. When the Revolutionary War ended and it became there-
by wholly unimportant to the English monarch what should be the
destiny of the country which he had claimed, abused, and lost, the
thrifty Massachusetts colonists urged the validity of their rights as
against New York; but a compromise was effected by a Board of Com-
missioners on the 16th of December, 1786, which gave to New York
the sovereignty of all the disputed territory within her chartered limits,
at the same time giving Massachusetts title in the soil, or the right to
buy the soil from the Indians, who were then in actual possession (the
pre-emption right), embracing all the territory lying west of a line be-
ginning at a point in the north line of the State of Pennsylvania, eighty-
two miles west from the northeast corner of that State, and running
due north through Seneca Lake, and on the north to Lake Ontario,
excepting a strip one mile wide along Niagara River. Massachusetts
was given also the pre-emption right to a tract of 230,400 acres between
the Owego and the Chenango Rivers; this was equal to ten townships,
each six miles square, and became known as "The Massachusetts Ten
Towns." The north and south line above mentioned was nearly identi-
cal with the east lines of Steuben and Ontario counties, and its north-
ern continuation is shown on the outline map herein as "The Old Pre-
emption Line. " The following account of the two ' 'pre-emption lines, "
shown on the accompanying map, we transcribe from Turner's Phelps
and Gorham's Purchase:
Of course it was mere conjecture where this pre-emption line would fall as far
north as Seneca Lake, and parties were interested to have the line fall west of
1 Turner.
c
WAYNE COUNTY. 17
Geneva, leaving that place and a considerable tract of land between the military
tract and the Massachusetts lands. Seth Reed and Peter Ryckman, both of whom
had been Indian traders, applied to the State of New York for remuneration for ser-
vices rendered in some previous negotiations, with the eastern portion of the Six
Nations, and proposed to take a patent for a tract the boundaries of which should be-
gin at a tree on the bank of Seneca Lake and run along the bank of the lake to the
south until they should have 16,000 acres between the lake and the east bounds of
the lands ceded to Massachusetts. Their request was acceded to and a patent issued.
Thus situated they proposed to Messrs. Phelps and Gorham to join them in running
the pre-emption line, each party furnishing a surveyor. The line was run which is
known as the old pre-emption line. Messrs. Phelps and Gorham were much disap-
pointed in the result — suspected error or fraud, but made no movement to a resurvey
before they had sold to the English association. Their suspicions had at first been
excited by an offer from a prominent member of the lessee company for "all the
lands they owned east of the line that had been run." They were so well assured of
the fact that in their deed to Mr. Morris they specified a tract in a gore between the
line then run, and the west bounds of the counties of Montgomery and Tioga, those
counties then embracing all of the military tract. Being fully convinced of the inac-
curacy of the first survey, Morris, in his sale to the English company, agreed to run
it anew. They new survey was performed under the superintendence of Major
Hoops, who employed Andrew Ellicott and Augustus Porter to perform the labor.
A corps of axe-men were employed, and a vista thirty feet wide opened before the
transit instrument until the line had reached the head of Seneca Lake, when night
signals were employed to run down and over the lake. So much pains were taken
to insure correctness that the survey was never disputed ; and thus the "new pre-
emption line" was established as the true division line between the lands of the State
of New York and those that had been ceded to Massachusetts. . . . The old pre-
emption line terminated on Lake Ontario, three miles west of Sodus Bay, and the
new line very near the center of the head of the bay. . . . The strip of land be-
tween the two lines was called "The Gore." In addition to the patent granted to
Reed and Ryckman, the State had presumed the original survey to be correct, and
made other grants, and allowed the location of military land warrants upon what had
been made disputed territory. As an equivalent to the purchasers of this tract, com-
pensation lands were granted by the State in the present towns of Wolcott and
Galen, in Wayne county.
The foregoing- interesting description of the two pre-emption
lines has taken us a little out of the chronological order of events.
Previous to the establishment of the second pre-emption line, a com-
bination, or a syndicate, as it would now be termed, was formed
in New York and Canada to obtain control of the Indian lands
in this State. Two companies were organized — "The New York and
and Genesee Land Company," of which John Livingston was manager;
and the "Niagara Genesee Company," composed chiefly of Canadians,
with Col. John Butler at his head. As the State Constitution forbade
3
18 LANDMARKS OF
the sale of Indian lands to individuals, these companies, working- in
harmony, sought to evade the provision by a lease. So great was the
influence of Butler and his friends that in 1787 representatives of the
Indians gave the New York and Genesee Company a lease of all their
lands (excepting some small reservations) for a period of 999 years.
The consideration was $20,000 and an annual rental of $2,000. Who
can say what would have been the effect of this stupendous deal, if it
had been consummated! But when the lessees applied to the Legis-
lature in the following winter for recognition of their lease, it was
promptly declared void. The next scheme of these magnanimous pro-
moters of early settlements in the Genesee country was to procure a
conveyance by the Indians of all their lands in the State, provided the
State would reimburse Livingston and his comrades for all their
expenses, and convey to them one-half of all the land! As an example
of unblushing business impudence, this proposition stands unrivaled,
for by it Livingston, Butler and company would have secured a prac-
tically free gift of four or five million acres of the best land in America!
The proposition was promptly rejected.
Oliver Phelps was a native of Windsor, Connecticut, and had been a
contractor in the Revolutionary Army. He was a man of prominence
and ability, and from Major Adam Hoops, who had been one of General
Sullivan's aids, learned of the prospective value of the Genesee country.
He determined to secure an interest in the lands over which Massa-
chusetts held the right of pre-emption ; but before he matured his
plans, Nathaniel Gorham had made proposals to the Legislature for the
purchase of a portion of the Genesee lands. The two men met and
after a conference, Mr. Gorham joined with Mr. Phelps and a few
others to consummate the desired purchase. The first proposal was
made in 1787 for the purchase of 1,000,000 acres, at one and sixpence
currency per acre. The Senate refused to concur in the sale, and the
matter was postponed until the session of 1788. Other persons had
taken steps to secure tracts, and a compromise was therefore made
admitting all such to the association, with Messrs. Phelps and Gorham
as representatives. They made proposals for all the lands embraced
in the cession to Massachusetts, which were accepted, the consideration
being $1,000,000, payment to be made in a sort of scrip issued by
Massachusetts and called "Consolidated Securities," which were worth
at the time of the sale about fifty cents on the dollar. As this sale was,
of course, made subject to the Indian rights, Phelps arranged with
WAYNE COUNTY. 19
Livingston to aid him in negotiating with the Six Nations for the release
of their lands. This resulted in a council held on Buffalo Creek in July,
1788, which was the most memorable of all the later large gatherings
of the Indians. All of the famous chiefs of the Six Nations were
present in at least a semblance of their past glory ; but with all their
native sagacity, they were no match for the shrewd Yankees — the
unscrupulous Butler, the thrifty Oliver Phelps, the greedy Livingston,
and the rest. Rev. Samuel Kirkland, the noble old man, was also
present as an agent for Massachusetts. The council was generally
harmonious. The Indians were then ready to sell and not particular
about the price; this was a strong influence for harmony. But they
insisted that the west line of the territory to be sold should be along
the Genesee Ri,ver, while Phelps desired that it should run several
miles farther to the West. After days of discussion the Yankees out-
witted the Indians by a request from Phelps that the Indians should
let him have enough land west of the river for a mill-seat, or mill yard,
so that he might build a mill at the falls (now Rochester) which would
benefit the Indians and white men alike. It was a happy thought and
silenced the opposition by the natives. They would let him have his mill
yard ; and in response to an inquiry as to how much land would be
required for the purpose, Phelps replied that he thought a strip twelve
miles wide and extending from the site of Avon to the mouth of the
river would be about right. The Indians finally consented to this, and
thus disposed of about 200,000 acres — probably the largest mill-yard
the world has ever known ! The west bounds of the Phelps and Gorham
purchase have been thus described :
Beginning in the northern line of Pennsylvania, due south of the corner or point
of land made by the confluence of the Genesee River and the Canaseraga Creek ;
thence north on said meridian line to the corner or point aforesaid ; thence north-
wardly along the waters of the Genesee River to a point two miles north of
Canawagus village; thence running due west twelve miles ; thence running north-
wardly so as to be twelve miles distant from the western bounds of said river, to the
shore of Lake Ontario.
The reader will note the westward deviation in the line to include
the "mill-yard." The eastern line of the purchase has been described
and the accompanying map shows the whole purchase, with a black
line cutting out the northeast corner that ultimately went into the
formation of Wayne County. The names of many the purchasers of
lots shown on this map are of considetable interest in this connection.
The whole tract was surveyed into seven ranges, the lines running
20 LANDMARKS OF
north and south, and these into lots, as indicated on the map. When
Mr. Phelps reached home after the purchase was effected he reported
to his associates: "You may rely upon it that it is a good country; I
have purchased all that the Indians will sell at present; and, perhaps,
as much as it would be profitable for us to buy at this time."
The Phelps and Gorham purchase embraced, as estimated, about
2,600,000 acres; and the complaisant Indians left the fixing of the price
to be paid them to Butler, Brant, and Elisha Lee, Mr. Kirkland's
assistant. It was settled at $5,000 in hand and $500 annually forever.
This was equal to about half a cent an acre! "The reader need hardly
be told that the poor Indians never realized the sum promised by the
lessees, except in the form of bribes to some of their chiefs; and in
that form but a small portion of it. And yet the lessees, in one form
or another, realized a large amount for their illegal 'long lease.'"1
The great sale to Phelps and Gorham had the effect of advancing the
market price of the "consolidated securities" to such a figure that the
association was unable to buy them to carry out their contract with the
State. As a consequence about two-thirds of the original purchase
was abandoned by Phelps and Gorham and reverted to the State of
Massachusetts. It was resold by that State in 1701 to Robert Morris,
for thirty thousand pounds New York currency, and a large part of the
tract on its western side was subsequently sold to a company of Dutch
and became the well known Holland Land Purchase. The remainder
constituted the "Morris Reserve. " The east line of the Morris purchase
commenced on the Pennsylvania line, forty-four and seventy-eight-
hundredths miles west of the pre-emption line and ran due north to an
elm tree at the forks of the Genesee River and Canaseraga Creek;
thence northerly along the Genesee River to a point two miles north
of Cannawagus village; thence due west twelve miles, and thence
north twenty-four degrees east to Lake Ontario. The line forming the
boundary between the Morris Reserve and the tract sold to the Holland
Land Company began on the Pennsylvania line twelve miles west of
the west line of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase, and thence ran due
north to near the center of Stafford, Genesee County ; thence due west
2.07875 miles, and thence due north to Lake Ontario; this last named
line became and is known as the Transit Line, and crosses the county
of Orleans on the western line of the east tier of towns.
1 Turner.
WAYNE COUNTY. 21
The Morris Reserve was sold out in several large tracts. A tract
containning 87,000 acres, lying just west of the Phelps and Gorham
"Mill-Yard" was sold to Le Roy, Bayard and McEvers, and is known
as the "Triangle," in the western part- of Monroe county. Imme-
diately west of this, in Orleans county, is the "Connecticut Tract" of
100,000 acres, which was purchased by the State of Connecticut and
Sir William Pulteney, and divided between them. The Cragie tract
of 50,000 acres joins the Connecticut tract on the south, and immedi-
ately east of this is the "40,000 acre tract." Still other tracts were sold
off from other parts of the original purchase; but in none of them are
we directly interested in treating of Wayne County.
The title which Mr. Morris acquired from Massachusetts was merely
the right of pre-emption. The soil was still the property of the Seneca
Indians, and it does not appear that Mr. Morris attempted after his
purchase to obtain the extinguishment of the Indian title. If he did,
he failed; for the Indian title was not wholly extinguished until 1797.
In that year a council was held at "Big Tree" on the Genesee River,
near the site of Geneseo, and a treaty was made under which the
Indians sold to Morris all their remaining lands in New York west of
Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, excepting the following reservations:
Two square miles at Canawagus, near Avon; two squre miles at Big
Tree; two square miles at Little Beard's Town; two square miles at
Squakie Hill ; the Gardeau Reservation on the Genesee River, containing
four square miles; the Canadea Reservation, extending eight miles
along the Genesee River and two miles wide ; a reservation at Cat-
taraugus Creek and Lake Erie ; another on the south side of Cattaraugus
Creek; forty-two square miles on the Allegany River, and two
hundred square miles to be laid out parti y at Buffalo and partly at
Tonawanda Creek. At various times since then these reservations have
been sold to the State of New York, except a few insignificant tracts.
A short sketch of the military tract, a part of which went into the
formation of Wayne county, will close these brief notes of the early
territorial divisions in which readers of this work will be interested.
On the 16th of September, 1770, while war measures were under
consideration in Congress, the following resolutions were adopted:
That eighty-eight battalions be enlisted as soon as possible, to serve during the
present war; and that each State furnish their respective quotas in the following
proportions, viz: [The quota of New York was four battalions ; those of other States
may be omitted here.]
■- a
o
'J 2
C O
> z
u
^
WAYNE COUNTY. 23
That twenty dollars be given as a bounty to each non-commissioned officer and
private soldier who shall enlist to serve during the present war, unless sooner dis-
charged by Congress.
That Congress make provisions for granting lands in the following proportions to
the officers and soldiers, who shall so engage in the service, and continue therein
until the close of the war, or until discharged by Congress, and to the representatives
of such officers and soldiers as shall be slain by the enemy.
Such lands to be provided by the United States ; and whatever expenses shall be
necessary to produce such lands, the said expenses shall be borne by the States in
the same proportion as the other expenses of the war, viz. : to a colonel, 500 acres ; to
a lieutenant-colonel, 450 acres; to a major, 400 acres; to a captain, 300 acres; to a
lieutenant, 200 acres; to an ensign, 150 acres; to each non-commissioned officer and
soldier, 100 acres.
By an act of 12th of August, 1780, Congress also made provision for
land bounties for major-generals, 1,100 acres, and brigadier-generals,
850 acres.
When the war closed, in 1783, the New York Legislature undertook
the discharge of this obligation, and also granted gratuities in lands on
its own account. This was accomplished by a resolution granting
lands in addition to the before- mentioned bounties, in the following
proportions: To a major-general, 5,500 acres; to a brigadier-general,
4,250 acres; to a colonel, 2,500 acres; to a lieutenant-colonel, 2,250
acres; to a major, 2,000 acres; to a captain and regimental surgeon, each
1,200 acres; to each chaplain, 2,000 acres; to every subaltern and sur-
geon's mate, 1,000 acres; to every non-commissioned officer and private,
500 acres.
Another resolution contains the following provisions:
That the lands so to be granted as bounty from the United States, and as gratuity
from the State, shall be laid out in townships of six miles square; that each township
shall be divided into 156 lots of 150 acres each, two lots whereof shall be reserved for
the use of a minister of the gospel, and two lots for the use of a school or schools;
that each person above described shall be entitled to as many such lots as his bounty
and gratuity will admit of ; that one-half the lots each person shall be entitled to
shall be improved at the rate of five acres for each one hundred acres, within five
years after the grant, if the grantee shall retain the possession of such lots; and that
the said bounty and gratuity lands be located in the district of this State reserved for
the use of the troops by an act entitled, "An act to prevent grants or locations of the
lands therein mentioned, passed the 25th day of Juy, 1782. '^
1 These lands are bounded on the east by the country of the Oneidas ; north by
Lake Ontario ; on the west by a line drawn from the mouth of Great Sodus Bay,
through the most westerly inclination of the Seneca Lake ; and on the south by a line
24 LANDMARKS OF
On the -20th of March, 1781, the State Legislature passed an act
which further provided for the raising' of troops to complete the "line"
of this State in the United States service, and for two regiments to be
raised on bounties of lands, for the further defence of the frontiers of
the State. The land granted by these last mentioned acts was known
as "bounty" land, and those granted under the previous action of the
State government were known as "gratuity" lands.
The original acts granting these lands were afterward modified and
amended until finally it was ordered by an act passed February 28, 1789,
"that the commissioners of the land office shall be, and they are here-
bv authorized to direct the surveyor-general to lay out as many town-
ships in tracts of land set apart for such purpose, as will contain land
sufficient to satisfy the claims of all such persons who are or shall be
entitled to grants of land by certain concurrent resolutions,
which townships shall respectively contain GO, 000 acres of land, and be
laid out as nearly in squares as local circumstances will permit, and be
numbered from one progressively to the last inclusive; and the com-
missioners of the land office shall likewise designate every township by
such names as they shall deem proper."
The same act ordered the surveyor-general to make a map of these
townships, dividing each into one hundred lots of six hundred acres
each, and number them from one upwards. The same act ordered :
All persons to whom land shall be granted by virtue of this act, and who are en-
titled thereto by any act or resolution of Congress, shall make an assignment of his,
or her, proportion and claim of bounty or gratuity lands under any act or acts of
Congress, to the surveyor-general, for the use of the people of this State. It was
also provided that for all lands thus assigned, an equal number of acres should be
given by the State, and so far as possible in one patent, "provided the same does
not exceed one-quarter of the quanity of a township."
These grants were to be settled within seven years, or the lands
would revert to the State. A tax was laid upon fifty acres in one cor-
ner of each six hundred acre lot, of forty-eight shillings, as compensa-
tion for the survey, which tax was to be paid in two years, or the lot
would revert to the State and be sold at public auction. The proceeds
drawn through the most southerly inclination of the Seneca lake, embracing to the
country of the Oneidas 1,800,0(1(1 acres. It comprises, generally speaking, the coun-
ties of Onondaga, Cortland, Cayuga, Tompkins, and Seneca, and the east half, or
nearly so, of the county (if Wayne, and that part of Oswego county west of the Os-
wego River." — M acanley s History of Nev York, /Ssg.
WAYNE COUNTY. 25
of the sale were to be devoted to the payment of the expenses of the
survey and sale, and any surplus funds to be expended "in laying out
and making- roads in the said tract."
By an act of February 28, 1789, six lots in each township were re-
served, "one for promoting the gospel and a public school or schools,
one other for promoting literature in this State, and the remaining
four lots to satisfy the surplus share of commissioned officers not cor-
responding with the division of six hundred acres, and to compensate
such persons as may by chance draw any lot or lots, the greater part
of which may be covered with water."
It was provided also, "that whenever it appeared that persons ap-
plying for bounty or gratuity land, had received from Congress the
bounty promised by that body, or in case they failed to relinquish their
claims to such land, then the commissioners were to reserve for the
use of the people of the State, one hundred acres in each lot to which
such persons were entitled; designating particularly in which part of
said lot such reserved part was located." This action gave rise to the
term, "State's hundred," so frequently heard in connection with the
military tract.
At a meeting of the land commissioners held at the secretary's office
in New York city, on Saturday, July 3, 1790, there were present, "his
excellency, George Clinton, esq., treasurer; Peter T. Curtenius, esq.,
auditor."
The secretary laid before the board maps of twenty-five townships,
made by the surveyor-general, Simeon De Witt. These townships
were named as follows and numbered from one upward in the order
given: Lysander, Hannibal, Cato, Brutus, Camillus, Cicero, Manlius,
Aurelius, Marcellus, Pompey, Romulus, Scipio, Sempronius, Tully,
Fabius, Ovid, Milton, Locke, Homer, Solon, Hector, Ulysses, Dryden,
Virgil, and Cincinnatus. To these were afterwards added the town of
Junius (Seneca county), to compensate those who drew lots sub-
sequently found to belong to the "Boston ten towns."
From Junius was taken Wolcott, in 1807; and Galen in 1812. Wol-
cott then included the present towns of Huron, Rose and Butler, and
Galen included the present town of Savannah. Galen was also added
to the military tract, to supply lands to those who belonged in the hos-
pital department of the army. This gave substantially what are now
the six eastern towns of Wayne county, to the military tract. The
4
26 LANDMARKS OF
town of Sterling, Cayuga county, was added to the tract to satisfy all
other unsettled claims.
( )n January 1, 17'.) 1, the commissioners began to determine claims
and ballot for individual shares. Ninety-four persons drew lots in
each of the townships, and the reservations before alluded to were
made. The adjustment of these individual claims was a source of al-
most infinite perplexity to the commissioners, as well as to the real
owners. On account of the many frauds committed respecting the land
titles, an act was passed in 1794, requiring all deeds and conveyances
executed prior to that time to be deposited with the county clerk of
Albany county, and such as were not so deposited were to be considered
fraudulent. But the trouble did not end here, and the courts over-
flowed with business relating to the claims. Soldiers coming in to
take possession of their lots often found them occupied by pugnacious
squatters, and discouraging and costly litigation followed. Finally the
inhabitants of the tract became so wearied and exasperated with con-
tinued contentions that, in 1797, they united in a petition to the Legis-
lature for a law under which the whole matter could be equitably ad-
justed. An act was accordingly passed appointing Robert Yates,
Tames Kent, and Vincent Mathews a Board of Commissioners, with
power to settle all disputes respecting the land titles. After laborious
investigation the vexatious differences were all adjusted with reason-
able satisfaction to all concerned.
CHAPTER IV.
Early Conditions in the "Genesee County" — Efforts of Great Britian to Retain the
Territory — Fears of Indian Invasion — Lack of Means of Communication with the
East — Charles Williams and his Work — Colony on the Genesee River — Quaker Settle-
ment at Jerusalem — Settlement at Canandaigua — List of Settlers West of Pre-
emption Line — Opening of Roads — A Journey Westward from Albany — Privations
of Pioneers.
Before proceeding to separately consider the pioneer settlement of
what is now Wayne county, a brief chapter may be profitably devoted
to early conditions in the great Genesee country as a whole.
The treaty of peace made at the close of the Revolutionary War did
not by any means end the difficulties and anxieties of the pioneers in
WAYNE COUNTY. 27
Western New York. The English king and his chief councillors could
scarcely realize, and were reluctant to admit, they were whipped by a
few weak colonists, and deprived of a prospectively vast and rich ter-
ritory. Their only solace lay in the confident hope that our efforts to
establish a free government would fail, in which contingency they be-
lieved they might retain the allegiance of the Indians and renew the
struggle. When this prospect began to fade away, they turned their
attention and hopes in another direction. By continuing their alliance
with the Six Nations and the Western Indians, with the latter of whom
the Americans were still fighting, the English would endeavor to re-
tain all of Canada that had been under French dominion, with Western
New York and the lake and Mississippi country. To carry out this de-
sign England, through various flimsy pretexts, disregarded the plain
terms of the peace treaty, withheld the posts on Lake Ontario and at
other points and steadily followed a policy of commercial outrage and
annoyance, influenced the Indians against us in our negotiation with
them, and in many other ways exhibited a spirit of revenge and irrita-
tion. Lord Dorchester, governor-general of Canada; his deputy -gen-
eral, Simcoe; Sir John Johnson, the notorious tory; Col. John Butler,
then living at Niagara and occupying a position of great influence with
the Senecas, all united in efforts to breed and continue hostility.
Valuable presents of goods and arms were made to the Indians to win
their favor and incite them against the settlers. "There was a long
period of dismay and alarm, in which the new settlers of the Genesee
country deeply and painfully participated; every movement in the west
was regarded with anxiety ; and the Senecas in their midst were, watched
with jealously and distrust. . . The hindrances to peace negotia-
tions with the Indians were vastly augmented by British interference.
Not content with encouraging the Indians to hold out, and actually
supplying them with the means for carrying on the war, on one occa-
sion they refused to let a peace embassy proceed by water via Oswego
and Niagara ; and on another occasion, with a military police, prevented
commissioners of the United States from proceeding to their destina-
tion— a treaty ground."1
These shameful acts on the part of the British were opposed by
Colonel Pickering, Samuel Kirkland, and particularly by Gen. Israel
Chapin, who had been a brigadier-general in the Revolutionary War
1 Turner's Phelps and Gorham's Purchase, p. 295.
28 LANDMARKS OF
and was afterward appointed agent among the Six Nations. He was
fully qualified for the difficult office and took up his residence in Canan-
daigua. The season of 1794 opened amid gloomy prospects. Negotia-
tions with the western Indians had failed, and their atrocities on the
borders continued, while war with England was considered not improb-
able, and her agents continued their iniquitous work. General Chapin
did all in his power to quiet apprehension and keep the settlers from
fleeing from their homes. Throughout all the country west of Utica,
danger was feared. A boat load of stores belonging to Sir [ohn
Johnson, which he was attempting to take from Albany to Canada, was
waylaid at Three River Point, in Onondaga county, and captured; this
was in retaliation for British annoyance of lake commerce at Oswego
and in hatred of Johnson. The lawless act led to threats of an invasion
of Onondaga by a force which would land at Oswego, and rumors that
Johnson and Brant were organizing for that purpose.
But the time at last came when the settlers in Western New York could
pursue their peaceful avocations without fear. General Chapin made
arrangements for a council with the Indians to be held at Canandaigua
on the 8th of September, 1794; but it was far into October before the
Indians could be gathered, their final assembling being stimulated by
the victory of Wayne in the West. By this time, also, all anticipations
of war with England were quelled. In speaking of the treaty made at
this council, General Chapin said:
Since the Indians were first invited to it, the British have endeavored, if possible,
to prevent their attendance, and have used every endeavor to persuade them to join
the hostile Indians, till at last they found the Indians would not generally join in
the war; the governor told them in the council at Fort Erie that they might attend
the treaty, and if anything was given them by the Americans to take it.
A successful treaty was concluded and mutual pledges of peace and
friendship made which led to enduring quietude.
The great purchase made by Robert Morris in 1791 has been men-
tioned. Morris was the celebrated financier of the Revolution, his
personal credit alone being sufficient to carry Washington and his army
through the period of danger and distress. He was also the owner of
immense tracts of land, for the sale of which he had numerous agents
in Europe. His agent in London was William Temple Franklin, a
grandson of Benjamin Franklin, to whom he wrote after he had made
his purchase, that " Ebenezer Allan, the oldest settler in the country,
had assured him that hemp grows like young willows, it is so rampant
WAYNE COUNTY. 29
and strong, and that he has raised forty bushels of the finest wheat he
ever saw, and so of other articles in like abundance." In another letter
he assured his agent that he had the most flattering reports concerning
his lands in the Genesee country. At just about the time that Mr.
Morris had become thoroughly convinced of the fertility and beauty of
his great purchase, he received word from Franklin that he had sold it
to an "Association" consisting of Sir William Pultney, John Hornby,
and Patrick Colquhoun. Sir William Pultney was a London capitalist
and occupied a high position as a citizen and a statesman ; the other
two were also men of character and wealth. The price paid for what
was supposed to be about 1,100,000 acres, but was in reality, almost
1,200,000 acres, was ^35,000. The sale included, of course, the terri-
tory of Wayne county west of the pre-emption line.
As bearing upon what has been stated in respect to apprehensions of
danger from the Indians and British the following extract from a letter
written by Mr. Morris to Mr. Colquhoun, soon after the sale to the
association, is given. He said:
These worthy but timid people had grown afraid 'since the Indian war at the
westward had become so general as it is, to let their sons go out even to the town-
ships they have bought, lest the Six Nations should become parties, and attack the
Genesee settlements. Now as there is not the least danger of this happening, the
Six Nations having already decided for peace, yet these timid people will await their
own time. I will, however, announce to them that I can supply them with the lands
they wanted, and as I think the Indian war will be of short duration, there is little
doubt but they will buy when it is over."
The London association who purchased of Mr. Morris took imme-
diate steps towards sale and settlement on their lands. In this work
Mr. Colquhoun seems to have been the most conspicuous of the three.
As their active agent they secured. Charles Williamson, a native Scot,
who had held a captain's commission in the British army at the
outbreak of the Revolutionary War, but the ship in which he sailed for
this country was captured and he was taken to Boston and held a
prisoner until the close of the war. He returned to England with a
valuable store of information relating to this country, and when the
attention of European capitalists began to be drawn in this direction,
he very naturally became associated with them. After his appointment
as agent by the association he sailed for America with his family and
two intelligent Scotchmen, John Johnstone and Charles Cameron, who
came as his assistants. From the day of his arrival in this country
Charles Williamson became a most important factor in the settlement
30 LANDMARKS OF
of the Genesee country. He learned from various sources of the great
beauty, fertility, and value of the lands placed in his hands, and began
energetically and intelligently to push forward the work expected of
him by his employers. "Want of communication," he wrote to the
association, "is the great draw back on back settlements distant from
the rivers that run into the Atlantic. Remove this difficulty and there
can be no doubt that the gentlemen of the association will reap an
advantage fifty times their outlay; and come to their purpose many
years sooner. Nothing will draw the attention of the people of
America more readily than the idea of their settling under the protec-
tion of an association who will take every means to render their farms
convenient an profitable."
In the winter of 1701-2, leaving his party in Northumberland, Pa.,
he made a hurried trip through the Genesee country. Of this trip he
wrote Mr Colquhoun that he passed through an uninhabited wilderness
more than one hundred miles before reaching Geneva, " which consisted
of a few straggling huts." " There is not a road within one hundred
miles of the Genesee country," said he, "that will admit of any sort
of conveyance, otherwise than on horseback, or on a sled, when the
ground is covered with snow." "The price of land has, in a few
instances, exceeded two shillings per acre; some few farms of
first rate quality have been sold on a credit for four shillings per
acre. "
After full consideration of the subject of opening communications
between the east and the Genesee country, Mr. Williamson determined
that the proper outlet for the country was southward to the Susque-
hanna River. He accordingly took steps to construct a road from what
is now Williamsport, Pa., to the mouth of the Canaserga Creek on the
Genesee River, a distance of about 150 miles. Before the road could
be opened, a ship load of goods reached Baltimore consigned to Will-
iamson by Mr. Colquhoun. The heaviest of the cargo was sold off in
Baltimore, and the lighter portion sent westward via Albany. Before
the close of 1792, Mr. Williamson had determined to make his first
settlement at the termination of his road on the Genesee River; in
pursuance of this plan he laid out a village there and called it Williams-
burg; he built a long row of structures, plowed some land and pre-
pared for the reception of a proposed German colony. Here were
settled a large colony who came over through the immediate influence
of one Berezy, who gained the confidence of Mr. Coloquhoun. While
they proved useful to Mr. Williamson in building his road, before men-
WAYNE COUNTY. 31
tioned, they proved an undesirable acquisition in every other way.
They remained in Pennsylvania until the spring of 1703, when they
removed to Williamsburg. Each family had a house, fifty acres of
land, tools, stock, and provisions appropriated to its use ; but they
developed into an idle and more or less dissolute colony, with Berezy
at their head. Mr. Williamson finally determined to rid his country of
their presence, and in his efforts to accomplish this result, provoked a
riot and had to call on the authorities of Ontario county to aid him and
his friends. The Germans were at last scattered, many of them
ultimately settling in Canada. Other attempts to colonize Europeans
were scarcely more successful.
Previous to and during the course of the events we have briefly
chronicled, a colony of Quakers, or "Friends," under the leadership of
a woman, a native of Rhode Island, whose correct name was Jemima
Wilkinson, had settled in 1787-88 in what is now Yates county, about
a mile south of the site of Dresden village. The original party con-
sisted of twenty-five members, who had sent delegates ahead to search
for an eligible location. Their first land purchase was on "The Gore,"
previous to the establishment to the new pre-emption line, and comprised
a tract of 14,000 acres lying in the east part of the present town of
Milo, and a part of Starkey, in Yates county. Soon afterward their
delegates purchased what is now the town of Jerusalem, in that county.
It was through the agency of these settlers that the first grist mill was
built in Western New York ; it was situated two and a half miles from
Penn Yan, and turned out flour in the year 1789. The woman
"Jemima," as she was known, exercised a powerful influence over her
followers in all their affairs, public and private. The community,
while apparently thriving and successful for a time, showed evidences
of decline before many years. They had settled there in quest of
seclusion from the world and its wickedness; but their selection of
lands was too wise to enable them to long hold a monopoly over the
region ; and they soon found themselves in a thickly settled neighbor-
hood. Jemima died in 1819, and was succeeded by Rachel Malin; but
their teachings were long ago forgotten, though their descendants are
still numerous in that section of the State.
In 1793 operations towards settlement began at Bath and rapidly
progressed under Mr. Williamson's energetic direction. 1 Mills were
1 In 1799 an advertisement of the "Bath Theater" appeared in the Bath Gazette;
the plays announced were "The Mock Doctor, or The Dumb Lady Cured." "A
32 LANDMARKS OF
built there and immigration from Pennsylvania and Maryland became
active. l In the following- year (17(.)-t-) improvements were begun at
Geneva, a feature of which was the building of the Geneva Hotel,
which was finished in December and soon gained a widespread fame.
It had no competitor for some time between there and Qtica.
Canandaigua, also, was a point of importance in the early settlement
of the Genesee country and the great county of Ontario — mother of
Wayne and many other counties. After Mr. Phelps had decided on
the foot of Canandaigua Lake as a desirable and central point for the
founding of a village, he took measures to open primitive roads over
which to reach the site. Operations were begun at Geneva and a pass-
age way opened to the foot of Canandaigua Lake, following substan-
tially the old Indian trail. Joseph Smith was the first settler west of
Seneca Lake and located at Canandaigua in the spring of 1789. He
built a block house and opened a tavern. In May of that year Gen.
Israel Chapin arrived at the outlet and built his log house. With him
and interested in surveys and land sales wrere eight or ten others, and
they were soon followed by a Mr. Walker, agent of Phelps and Gorham.
The settlement progressed rapidly, much of its growth and the toler-
ably peaceful relations with the Indians being due for a number of
years to General Chapin. In 1700 the heads of families on township
10, range 3, were as follows: Nathaniel Gorham, jr., Nathaniel San-
born, John Fellows, James D. Fish, Joseph Smith, Israel Chapin, John
Clark, Martin Dudley, Phineas Bates, Caleb Walker, Judah Colt, Abner
Barlow, Daniel Brainard, Seth Holcomb, James Brocklebank, Lemuel
Castle, Benjamin WTells, John Freeman. To these were added quite a
Peep into the .Seraglio." The prices of admission were: "Pit six shillings; Gallery
three shillings." The Bath Races were also advertised.
1 The proprietors of the Pultney estate indulged in visions of boundless wealth to
result from the settlement of their lands. They supposed that the natural avenue to
market from the rich Genesee country was down the Susquehanna, and that a city
might be founded upon some of the headwaters of that stream which would command
the entire trade of the West. After a survey of the region, the present site of Hath
was selected as the location of the future city. Every inducement was held out to
lure settlers; and for several years the markets of Bath proved a mine of wealth to
the few who raised more grain than enough for their own use. Williamson erected
a theater within a few years after the first settlement, in anticipation of the future
metropolitan character of the place. A race course was also established, which for
many years attracted sportsmen from all parts of the country. The golden visions
of civic grandeur were never realized. — French 's Gazetteer, />. (>jj.
WAYNE COUNTY.
33
number of settlers during L790-1. The place was made the county
scat in L793, and in the same year a court house, jail and clerk's office
were built; and here the first courts were held, as described further on
in these pages.
To conclude this necessarily brief description of the early settlement
at various points in the old county of Ontario, before turning our at-
tention to the immediate locality in which our readers will be more
deeply interested, it will be desirable to reproduce from the census
report of 1700 a list of all the heads of families who had settled west of
the old pre-emption line, as follows; the list is given by townships and
ranges as shown in the abbreviated headings:
No. 9, 7th R.
William Wadsworth
Phineas Bates
Daniel Ross
Henry Brown
Enoch Noble
Nicholas Rosecrantz
David Robb
Nahum Fairbanks
No. 1, 2d R.
Eleazer Lindley
Daniels
Samuel Lindley
John Seely
Ezekiel Mumford
Eleazer Lindley, jr.
No. 2, 2d R.
Arthur Erwine
Henry Culp
William Anchor
Martin Young
Peter Gardner
Nos. 3 & 4, 5th & 6th R's.
James Headley
William Baker
Jedediah Stevens
Uriah Stephens
Uriah Stephens, jr.
John Stephens
Richard Crosby
Solomon Bennett
Andrew Bennett
John Jameson
5
No. 11, 2 R.
Sweet
Ezra Phelps
No. 10, 3d R.
Nathaniel Gorham, jr.
Nathaniel Sanborn
No. 11, 5th R.
Jonathan Ball
William Moores
No. 13, 5th R.
John Lusk
Chauncey Hyde
Timothy Allen
Jacob Walker
No. 10, 6th R.
John Minor
Asel Burchard
Abner Miles
Davison
No. 11, 6th R.
John Ganson
Philemon Winship
Abel Wilsey
Elijah Morgan
Solomon Hovey
John Morgan
William Webber
William Markham
Abraham Devans
No. 7, 7th R.
Niel
No. 9, 1st R.
James Latta
David Benton
Samuel Wheaton
Rice
No. 10, 3d R.
John Fellows
Joseph Smith
James D. Fisk
Israel Chapin
John Clark
Martin Dudley
Phineas Bates
Caleb Walker
Judah Colt
Abner Barlow
Daniel Brainard
Seth Holcomb
James Brocklebank
Lemuel Castle
Benjamin Wells
John Freeman
No. 11, 3d R.
Abraham Lapham
Isaac Hathaway
Nathan Harrington
John McCumber
Joshua Harrington
Elijah Smith
John Paine
Jacob Smith
John Russell
Nathan Comstock
Israel Weed
34
LANDMARKS OF
Reuben Allen
No. L2, 3d R.
Webb Harwood
David White
Darius Com stock
Jerome Smith
No. 8, 4th R.
Gamaliel Wilder
Ephraim Wilder
Aaron Rice
Aaron Spencer
No. 9, 1st R.
David Smith
Phineas Pierce
Esther Forsyth
Thomas Smith
Harry Smith
Thomas Barden
No. 10, 1st R.
Seth Reed
Thaddeus Oaks
Jonathan Whitney
Solomon Warner
Jonathan Oaks
Joseph Kilbourne
John Whitcomb
Phineas Stevens
Benjamin Tuttle
No. 11, 1st R.
John D. Robinson
Pierce Granger
No. 8, 2d R.
Francis Briggs
Michael Pierce
Benjamin Tibbits
Henry Lovell
John Walford
In order to give
families by towns,
what is now Wayn
census of 1790 :
William Hall
Arnold Potter
No. 10, 2d R.
Sweet
No. 9, 4th R.
James Goodwin
William Goodwin
Nathaniel Fisher
No. 10, 4th R.
Ephraim Rew
Lot Rew
Matthew Hubble
John Barnes
Oliver Chapin
Nathaniel Norton
John Adams
Michael Rodgers
Allen Sage
No. 11, 4th R.
Seymour Boughton
Jared Boughton
Zebulon Norton
Elijah Taylor
No. 9, 5th R.
Gideon Pitts
No. 10, 5th R.
Peregrine Gardner
Amos Hall
Benjamin Gardner
Peck Sears
Samuel Miller
John Alger
Sylvanus Thayer
No. 12, 5th R.
Jared Stone
Simon Stone
Israel Pan-
tile reader a clearer idea of
and to aid him in locating
e county, we reprint the fol
Thomas Cleland
Silas Nye
Josiah (iiminson
Alexander 1 )unn
1 )avid Davis
No. 10, 2d R.
Daniel Gates
Thomas Warren
Israel Chapin
Piatt
Day
West of Genesee River
Gilbert R. Berry
Darling Havens
1 )avid Bailey
William Rice
Gershom Smith
Hill Carney
Morgan Desha
William Desha
Horatio Jones
William Ewing
Nathan Fowler
Jeremiah Gregory
Nicholas Philips
Jacob Philips
Caleb Forsyth
Nathan Chapman
Nicholas Miller
Asa Utley
Peter Shaeffer
Ebenezer Allen
Christopher Dugan
Zephaniah Hough
Edward Harp
[oscph Skinner
the distribution of these
those who had settled in
owing: list, also from the
Painted Post ID
Milo 11
Benton 3
Seneca, including Geneva is
59
65
115
Phelps 2 11
Middlesex T 38
Hopewell II 14
East Farmington 2 4
WAYNE COUNTY. 35
West Farming-ton 12 55 Brighton 4 20
Canandaigua 8 106 Lima 4 23
West Palmyra 4 14 Rush 9 :,(;
South Bristol 4 20 Henrietta 1 s
North Bristol 4 13 Sparta 1 5
East Bloomrield 10 65 Geneseo s 34
West Bloomfield 7 26 Wayne 1 9
Indian Lands (Leicester) 4 17 Erwin 11 59
Victor 4 2(1 Canisteo 10 50
Richmond... ... 1 2 Avon 10 W
Mendon 2 10 Caledonia 10 44
Pittsford 8 28
Total 205 1081
Most of the pioneers of Ontario county and the military tract who
came in prior to the beginning- of the present century, and who did not
come from southward, as before mentioned, took the water route from
Albany, by way of the Mohawk River, Wood Creek, Oneida Lake, Os-
wego River, and the Clyde. In 1701 what was called the "Geneva
road" was built, extending from Whitestown to Geneva, and thence on
to Canandaigua. It was for much of the distance merely a cleared
track through the forest ; but bad as it was it was influential in pro-
moting the western settlements. Here is what Charles Williamson
wrote to England regarding it :
To improve our communication with the coast seemed to be all that was necessary
to render the country equal to any part of America for comfort and convenience ; in
many things, particularly the climate, we had much the advantage. To remedy this
inconvenience as to roads, the Legislature of the State had, tw an act passed
in the Sessions of 1797* taken the road from Fort Schuyler to Geneva under their
patronage. A lottery had been granted for the opening and improving of certain
great roads ; among these this road was included. The inhabitants made a volun-
tary offer of their services, to aid the State commissioner, and subscribed 4,000 days
work, which they performed with fidelity and cheerfulness. By this generous and
uncommon exertion, and by some other contributions, the State commissioner was
enabled to complete this road of near one hundred miles, opening it sixty-four feet
wide, and paving with logs and gravel the moist parts of the low country. Hence
the road from Fort Schuyler on the Mohawk River, to Genesee, from being in the
month of June, 1797, little better than an Indian path, was so far improved that a
stage started from Fort Schuyler on the 30th of September, and arrived at the hotel
in Geneva, in the afternoon of the third day, with four passengers.
Settlements along this road were rapidly increased after its opening.
This highway was greatly improved within a few years, particularly in
1794, when a commission was appointed to open " The Great Genesee
36 LANDMARKS OF
Road" six rods wide from old Fort Schuyler to the Cayuga Ferry; and
again in L796-7, when a considerable sum was expended in improving
the road. In the year 1800, what was called "The Seneca Road Com-
pany " was chartered for the improvement of the highway from Utica
to Canandaigua. The capital stock of the company was $11,000, and
[edediah Sanger, Charles Williamson, Benjamin Walker, and Israel
Chapin were appointed commissioners. In L798 the first State roads
were laid out from Conewagas, on the Genesee River, to the mouth of
Buffalo Creek, and to Lewiston, on Niagara River. Other early roads
more directly connected with the settlement of Wayne county will be
described in the next chapter.
This chapter may be properly closed with a quotation from a descript-
ive letter on the Genesee country written in 1792, as follows:
On the 12th of February, 1792, I left Albany on my route to the Genesee country;
but the country was thought so remote and so very little known, that I could not
prevail on the owner of the sled I had engaged to go further than Whitestown, a new
settlement on the head of the Mohawk River, one hundred miles west of Albany.
The road, as far as Whitestown, had been made passable for wagons, but from that
to the Genesee River it was little better than an Indian path, just sufficiently opened
to allow a sled to pass, and the most impassable streams bridged. At Whitestown I
was obliged to change my sled; the Albany driver would proceed no further. He
found that the next 150 miles we were not only obliged to take provision for our-
selves and our horses, but also blankets as a substitute for beds. After leaving
Whitestown we found only a few straggling huts scattered along the the path at the
distance of ten to twenty miles, and they affording nothing but the convenience of
fire and a kind of shelter from the snow. On the evening of the third day's journey
from Whitestown we were very agreeably surprised to find ourselves on the east side
of Seneca Lake, which we found perfectly open and free from ice as in the month
of June; and what added to our surprise and admiration, was to see a boat ami
canoe plying on the lake This, after having passed from New York over 360 miles
of country completely frozen, was a sight pleasing and interesting.
We then crossed the outlet of the lake, and arrived at the settlement of Geneva,
consisting of a few families, who had been drawn thither from the convenience of the
situation and the beauty of the adjoining country. . . . From Geneva to Cana-
darqua the road is only the Indian path, a little improved the first five miles over
gentle swellings of land, interspersed with bottoms seemingly rich; the remainder of
the road to Canadarqua, the county town, sixteen miles, was, the greatest part of the
distance, through a rich, heavy-timbered land. On this road there were only two
families settled. Canadarqua, the county town, consisted of only two small frame
houses and a few lints, surrounded with thick woods. The few inhabitants received
me with much hospitality 1 found there abundance of excellent venison. From
Canadarqua to the Genesee River, twenty-six miles, it is almost totally uninhabited,
only four families residing on the road. The country is beautifully diversified with
hill and dale, and, m many places, we found openings of two and three hundred
WAYNE COUNTY. :!?
acres, free from all timber and even bushes, which, on our examining, proved to be
of a rich, deep soil. It seemed that, by only enclosing with one of these openings a
proportionable quantity of timbered land, an enclosure might be made similar to the
parks of England.
At the Genesee River I found a small Indian store and tavern; the river was not
then frozen over, but was low enough to be forded. As yet there are no settlements
of any consequence in the Genesee country. That established by a society of
Friends, on the west side of the Seneca Lake, is the most considerable ; it consists
of about forty families. But the number of Indians in the adjoining country, when
compared with the few inhabitants who ventured to winter in the country, is so
great, that I found them under serious apprehensions for their^safety. Even in this
state of nature, the county of Ontario shows every sign of future respectability.
In subsequent letters descriptive of the county in 1796, four years
later, the same writer pictures the country under somewhat different
conditions. Various settlements, he said, "had begun to assume an
appearance of respectability never before instanced in so new a country."
It is probably true that not in the history of the country has a wil-
derness country been so rapidly peopled and improved as the old county
of Ontario. " Much pains had been taken," continued the writer, "to
induce the different settlers at an early period to build mills, and every
encouragement was given them." A newspaper had been established
at Bath. The town of Canadarqua (Canandaigua), had assumed the
appearance of a handsome village. The town of Geneva in that year
had received a great addition by the laying out of a street on the sum-
mit of a rising ground, along the west bank of the lake ; at the present
day one of the handsomest village streets to be found anywhere. A
sloop was on the stocks to run between Geneva and Catharine's Town,
at the head of the lake. A printing office was established in Geneva,
and several new settlements had been begun. The Mud Creek region
in which we are especially interested, received the writer's attention
also. Speaking of new mills, he said that one was built on the outlet
of Canadarqua Lake near its junction with Mud Creek (Lyons), both
of which are very considerable streams, and "run through a great
extent of country already well settled." "In the settlement of Mud
Creek alone, there were for sale, last fall, not less than 10,000 bushels
of wheat, of an excellent quality."
The settlers on the Genesee River were then receiving their salt
from the Onondaga works, and their stores from Albany. "Mr.
Granger," he continues, "last winter built a schooner of forty tons
which was launched early in April; before the middle of May she made
a trip to Niagara, with two hundred barrels of provisions, and there
38 LANDMARKS OF
were then laying on the beach two hundred barrels more, ready to be
put on board on her return." As to the character of the people who
were settling in this section the writer said: "The rapid progress of
this new country, in every comfort and convenience, has not only
caused the emigration of vast numbers of substantial farmers, but also
of men of liberal education, who- find here a society not inferior to that
in the oldest country settlements in America. The schools are far
from being indifferent, and even the foundations of public libraries are
already laid." After describing the climate and soil of the country in
favorable terms, the writer continues: "The settlements already
formed on the principal navigations, and whose inhabitants are used to
business, and respectably connected, find, at an early period, the most
advantageous markets for their surplus produce. To Canada, beef,
salt, pork, flour, and whisky, are already sent to a great amount."
" The success of every individual who has emigrated to the Genesee
country, has stamped a greater value on the lands than was ever known
in any place so recently settled, and so distant from the old settled
country."
As to the facilities for reaching this section near the close of the cen-
tury, the writer said: "The most convenient route for Europeans to
come to the Genesee country will be to land at New York; they will
with much ease reach Albany by water, and from thence they can
either hire wagons or take navigation by the canals (the canal of the
Inland Lock Navigation Company), or the Mohawk river, to Geneva.
Unless the water be in good order, I should certainly prefer the land
journey. A wagon, with two oxen and two horses will go twenty miles
per day with a load of ">(> ewt."
It is unnecessary to continue these extracts further, and we need
only add that the writer of that earl}- da}-, now almost a century ago,
could as a rule find no terms too complimentry in describing the region
of which Wayne county now forms a part. It was, indeed, a settlers'
paradise, and to-day will compare favorably with any other section of
the country.
WAYNE COUNTY. 39
CHAPTER V.
Beginning of Settlement in the Territory of Wayne County — Early Map of Western
New York — Map of the "Genesee Lands" — Localities First Settled in Wayne County
—Beginning at East Palmyra — Importance of Ganargwa Creek — First Improvement
at Sodus Bay — Improvement of Highways — Settlements in Various Localities — The
Threatened Canadian Invasion — Final Establishment of Peaceful Conditions —
Estimate of Williamson's Policy.
From the foregoing pages the reader should have gained a general
knowledge of the progress of settlement in the Genesee country down
to near the beginning of the present century (aside from that portion
now embraced in Wayne county), and the bright prospects offered by
this favored region to further immigration. We may, therefore, now
turn our attention to the story of the first settlements in what is Wayne
county, which carries us back to a few years earlier date than the
period under consideration in the final pages of the preceding chapter.
It is not surprising that the pioneers of our county settled where they
did — on or near the banks of the Ganargwa. It was a picturesque
stream, winding its devious way through the thick forest; its waters
teemed with fish ; there were available mill sites along its course ; the
land along its valley was fertile and easily tillable ; and, moreover, its
generally sluggish stream was a highway on which the pioneer could
bring to his wilderness home his household goods far more easily than
by any other method.
It must be remenbered that the first road opened (1796) westward
from Whitestown, near Utica, came on to Geneva, and that the Cayuga
bridge was built in 1800, making that route the one selected for nine-
tenths of the westward travel. This highway left the territory of
Wayne county in a measure isolated and added to the importance of
the water way that was followed by many of the pioneers of thiscountv
— up the Hudson or to Albany from New England points; thence to
Schenectady by land; up the Mohawk to the site of Rome; a short
portage to Wood Creek; down Oneida Lake to the Oswego River;
thence to the Seneca River, up the Clyde, and from the "Forks"
WAYNE COUNTY. 11
(Lyons) along- the Ganargwa (Mud) Creek and the outlet. It was a
toilsome journey, but was generally preferable to the overland route,
especially in summer or autumn, for several years after settlement
began. The accompanying map shows the earl)' lines of travel across
the State, and other interesting" facts.
It was only a very short time after the beginning of improvements
at Canandaigua and Geneva, noticed in the preceding chapter, when
preparations were made to open up the rich lands along the Ganargwa.
What is called "The New State Road" on the map of 1809 was built
during the first decade of the century, and passed directly across Wayne
county. A glance at the accompanying map of the Phelps and Gorham
purchase will show that in the part which finally became Wayne county,
in township 12, range 1, William Bacon and others were purchasers;
township 13, range 1, was sold to Elijah Austin or George Joy, his
assignee; township 12, range 2, was purchased by John Swift and
John Jenkins; and township 12, range 3, by Warner, Comstock and
others.
It was in township 12, range 2, that settlement in Wayne county
began. John Swift and Col. John Jenkins, who bought it, began its
survey into farm lots in March, 1789. Jenkins was a practical surveyor
and built a cabin on the bank of Ganargwa Creek, about two miles
below the site of Palmyra village. His assistants were Alpheus Harris,
who was a nephew, Solomon Earle, Baker, and Daniel Ransom.
A tragedy was at hand. One morning while the party were asleep in
their cabin, beside a fire, a party of four Tuscarora Indians crept up,
fired their guns through spaces between the logs, killed Baker and
severely wounded Earle ; the other two escaped unhurt, encountered
the murderers, secured two of their rifles and a tomahawk and drove
them away. In the morning after burying Baker, they took Earle and
started for Geneva to give an alarm. The Indians were pursued, two
of them captured and executed at what is now Elmira. They were
killed with the tomahawk. The trial was by a sort of lynch court, but
the whole proceeding and the bloody method of execution seem to have
been justified.
During the summer of 1789, John Swift moved into the township,
and built a log house and storehouse at "Swift's Landing," as it was
called for a time, a little north of the lower end of Main street, Pal-
myra. He was not long alone, for before the close of the year 1789,
Webb Harwood, from Adams, Mass., came in with his wife and built a
6
49 LANDMARKS OF
cabin on high ground near the site of the first lock west of Palmyra.
He was accompanied by Noah Porter, Jonathan Warner and Bennet
Bates, all single men. Mr. Turner collected the following" names of
settlers who came in during 1790, 1791, and 1792, giving them in the
order of their arrival as nearly as possible: Lemuel Spear, David Jack-
ways, James Galloway, Jonathan Millet, the Mattisons, Gideon Durfee
the elder, and his sons, Gideon, Edward, Job, Pardon, Stephen, and
Lemuel; Isaac Springer, William, James and Thomas Rogers, John
Russell, Nathan Harris, David Wilcox, Joel Foster, Abraham Foster,Elias
Reeves, Luther Sanford ; and in addition to these there came to what is now
Macedon, but then in Palmyra, Messrs. Reid, Delano, Packard Barney,
Broan, Adam Kingman, Hill, Lapham, Benjamin and Philip Woods.
What became East Palmyra was settled in 1791 by a company which
took the name of the Long Island Company, through their agents, Joel
Foster, Elias Reeves, and Luke Foster. The company sailed from
Long Island in April, 1792. The located on or near Ganargwa1 Creek.
The details of this settlement, and all others in this town will be found
in the later history of the town of Palmyra.
Soon after Mr. Williamson had perfected his title to the "Gore"2 his
1 Mud Creek until recently, The old name was blended with the recollection of
stagnant waters, bogs, chills and fevers. When its whole aspect had been changed
by the hand of improvement, and it became even picturesque and beautiful in its
meanderings through cultivated fields, and a rural scenery seldom equaled, the
dwellers in its valley were enabled, with the help of Lewis Morgan, esq., of
Rochester, to come at its ancient Seneca name, which they adopted. — Turner' s
1' helps and Cor ham' s Purchase, foot note, p. 263.
2 Before the State had acknowledged the correctness of the new pre-emption line,
patents had been issued covering nearly the whole of "The Gore." Mr. Williamson
having purchased through the agency of Johnstone, all the patents, had so fortified
the claim of his principals, that he had ventured upon exercising ownership; though
title was yet an open question. In March, 1795, while a bill was pending in the
Legislature, providing for running a third line, by the surveyor-general, and if the
one run by Mr. Ellicott should prove correct, to give the associates other lands in
lieu of those that had been patented upon the gore; Philip Schuyler introduced
amendments, which prevailed, making it discretionary with the surveyor-general,
allowing him to waive the running of a new line, if he satisfied himself that Mr. Elli-
cott's line was correct; and leave it to the commissioners of the land office to ar-
range matters between the holders of the patents and the associates, or, Mr. Will-
iamson, holding, as he did, by purchase, most of the patents, t<> perfect the title to
"The (lore," nearly 84,000 acres. As an equivalent for what he had paid in the pur-
chase of patents, the commissioners of the land office conveyed to him about the
same quantity of land embraced in the patents, off from the military tract, in what is
now Wolcott arid Galen. — Turner's Phelps and Gor ham's Purchase, p. 261-62.
WAYNE COUNTY. 48
attention was drawn to the conditions surrounding" the region at the
junction of Ganargwa Creek and the Canandaigua outlet. He saw the
natural beauty and desirability of the locality and determined to im-
prove it. The two streams at this point reminded him of the Rhone
and the Saone, which, with a certain similarity in the landscape, led
him to give the place the name of Lyons. In May, 17^9, a small
colony, made up of the families of Nicholas Stansell, William Stansell,
and a brother-in-law, John Featherly, had reached that point by the
water route already described and built log huts half a mile south of
the site of Lyons' village. William Stansell had been here as one of
Sullivan's expedition. The Stansells and Featherly were the pioneers
of that region. Joining with the pioneers of Phelps they opened a
road to that neighborhood and in the direction of the mill at Waterloo
(now in Seneca county). A little corn and potatoes was raised by
them in 1789, which were the first crops raised in the county. They
suffered severe hardships for a time, and a son of one of the first Stan-
sell families told Mr. Turner that they once got out of corn and bought
some of the Onondaga Indians ; for days they were without provisions,
only such as could be obtained from the forest, the streams, and their
cows. Mr. Williamson made Charles Cameron his agent at Lyons and
began operations there in the summer of 1794 The first framed house
in that region was built for Mr. Cameron, with a barn. Nearly 1,000
acres of land was reserved and afterwards sold to Judge Tower. Be-
fore the close of 1790, Henry Tower, then agent for Mr. Williamson,
built what was long known as Tower's mills at "Alloway, " as the place
was then called.
Meanwhile Williamson had also selected Sodus Bay as a point for
establishing what he hoped would prove a great commercial center.
His hopes were based largely upon the belief that the waterway already
described, with Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River would be
the future paths of transportation for all this region. In the spring of
1794 he had roads cut out from Palmyra to Phelpstown. His presence
at Sodus Bay with a corps of surveyors, road makers, and other aids,
convinced the settlers that they were to witness the planting of a vil-
lage that would some day be a city. Williamson preceded the improve-
ments by a written announcement of his plans. These contemplated
the survey of "a town between Salmon Creek and Great Sodus Bay,
and a spacious street, with a large square in the center, between the
falls of Salmon Creek and the anchorage in the bay, and mills are to be
44 LANDMARKS OF
built at the falls on Salmon Creek." To this somewhat inspiring-
declaration he added: "As the harbor of Great Sodus is acknowledged
to be the finest on Lake Ontario, this town, in the convenience of the
mills and extensive fisheries, will command advantages unknown to
the country, independent of the navigation of the Great Lake and the
.St. Lawrence." There is a vein of similar enthusiasm running through
all of Williamson's operations, and it must be said that many of the
plans of himself and the association were more or less visionary. This
is not to be wondered at, when we consider the wholly undeveloped
condition of the country, and the primitive modes of travel and trans-
portation.
The new town was to be surveyed by Joseph Colt. The in-lots con-
tained a quarter of an acre, and the out-lots ten acres. The in-lots
were offered for one hundred dollars, and the out-lots for four dollars
per acre ; the farming lands in that region at one dollar and fifty cents
an acre. Thomas Little and a Mr. Moffat were made the local agents.
A hotel was built at a cost of over $5, (Kin, and opened by Moses and
Jabez Sill. Mills were built at the falls on Salmon Creek, a pleasure
boat placed on the bay, and other minor improvements made. In
making roads, surveys, and erecting buildings, etc., more than $20,-
ooo were expended in the first two years. It was a characteristic of
Mr. Williamson to be liberal in the use of money and sanguine of the
results; but as we have before intimated, there was much to justify his
enthusiasm regarding this particular locality.
While Williamson and others named were thus actively engaged in
promoting the early settlements of Wayne county, this energetic agent
was no less industrious in other parts of the purchase. He was con-
spicuous in the measures adopted for opening the old road from Fort
Schuyler to Geneva, and in 1 7 i » 8 joined with Ellicott in making the
"Niagara road, " from the Genesee River westward (the new "State
road" on the map of 1809). He was also active in the building of the
roads from Lyons to Palmyra; from "Hopeton to Townsend's;" from
"Seneca Falls to Lyons mills;" and other early highways. He was
elected to the Legislature from Ontario county in 1796, and in that
body for three years devoted his great energy to the advancement of
the interests of Western New York.1
1 About the time of the projection of the State road west from Rome, Mr. William-
son was riding upon Long Island, in company with De Witt Clinton, who, remark-
ing upon the smoothness of the road, said to Mr. W. : "If you had such roadstoyour
WAYNE COUNTY. 45
It was fortunate for the rapid settlement of this region that Mr.
Williamson was backed by men with ample means. They could, and
did, sell their lands with little or no cash payments, and advanced
large sums for improvements, as we have noted. So liberal had been
the expenditures that as late as 1800 the entire enterprise seemed a
doubtful one as to ultimate profits. Mr. Williamson's first engagement
with the London Associates was for seven years, though he remained
considerably longer. Those who came with him from vScotland, were
Charles Cameron, who has been mentioned, as assisting Mr. William-
son in many of his early undertakings. He was the local agent at
Lyons and probably shipped from there the first produce sent to an
eastern market from the Genesee country. He was afterwards a mer-
chant at Canandaigua; John Johnstone, also an employee of William-
son; Henry Tower, an agent in the building of the mills at "Allo-
way" — Lyons, and afterwards purchased them and lived there man3T
years; Hugh McCarthy, settled in Sparta. Besides these there were
James Tower and Andrew Smith. When Sir William Pulteney and
Governor Hornby made a division of their lands, John Johnstone be-
came agent for the Hornby estate, and thus continued until 180G. Mr.
Williamson died in London in 1808.
Besides the settlements at the three points named — Palmyra, Lyons,
and Sodus — the pioneers who came into the county prior to the year
1800 located chiefly along the Ganargwa. Even in this favorite locality
there was as late as 1819, according to Mr. Turner, a space of several
miles where farm improvements were insignificant and log houses pre-
dominated. Some of the earliest settlers along the creek, besides the
.Long Island colony, were Thomas Goldsmith, Philip Lusk, Jacob Lusk,
Isaac Lusk, John Tibbits, Oliver Sanford, Luther Sanford, Oliver
Clark, James Parshall, Thomas Cornell, James Galloway, Humphrey
Sherman, Reuben Starks. John Spoor settled early where " Lockpitt "
was founded, and was succeeded there by Nicholas Stansell. The
Lusks settled where Newark has grown up. Other settlers in old Pal-
myra were: Thaddeus Taft, Joshua Bridge, Weaver Osborne, Cyrus
Foster, Jeremiah Smith, Caleb McCumber, Israel Parshall, Joseph
country I would make you a visit." "It can be done with proper exertions." Mr.
Clinton promised him his co-operation, and afterwards assisted in procuring the in-
corporation of the Seneca Turnpike Company, in which the State road was merged.
Mr. Clinton's first visit to this region was in 1810. — Foot Note, Tin-tier' s Phelps
and Gorham s Purchase, p. 2-J2.
46 LANDMARKS OF
Shoemaker, Oliver Booth, Ahaz Aldrieh, Samuel Millet, John Sher-
man, Silas Hart, Thomas Glover, Joseph Tinkum, James Galloway
and William Starks. What is now the town of Walworth was first set-
tled in 1799, by the families of Andrew, John, Samuel and Daniel Mil-
ler: a younger brother of these named Alexander, also came in at that
time, and two years later, in 1801, Stephen and Daniel Douglass moved
into the town.
In what is now the town of Williamson, and near the village of the
same name, were located a little prior to 1794 the families of Timothy
Smith and Henry Lovell ; the latter was one of the first Board of As-
sessors of the town.
Maeedon was settled in 1789 and 1790 by Webb Harwood, Ebenezer
Reed, Israel Delano, Darius Comstock and Paul Reed. Settlement in
Huron began in 1796, when Col. Peregrine Fitzhugh and William
Helms came in.
Other towns as at present constituted were first settled a little later;
but it is not our purpose to continue details of pioneer arrivals at this
point in the narrative, as they will all be described in the subsequent
town histories. An early road was opened along the' lake shore, fol-
lowing generelly the Indian trail, from Pultneyville to Irondequoit;
this preceded the Ridge road. Many of the settlers in the northern
part of the count}" located along this road.
The condition of the pioneers of Wayne county was not in all respects
a happy one, notwithstanding that they were greatly favored in others.
During the first five or six years there was ever present the harassing
fear of Indian attacks, to which we have alluded in a preceding chap-
ter. This was not wholly dissipated until the successful conclusion of
the Pickering treaty in the fall of 1794 at Canandaigua. This, with
Wayne's victory in the Wrest, brought substantial peace. A brief refer-
ence, however, should be made to an attempted invasion of the Genesee
country from Canada, which was projected even while the arrange-
ments for the Pickering conference were in progress. Governor Sim-
coe was in power at that time in Canada, and evinced a contemptible
jealous)' and hatred of the people who were so rapidly coming into
Western New York. It is said that he threatened to send Mr. William-
son to England in irons if he ever ventured into Canada. In August,
I 79 I, Simcoe sent a representative to Williamson with a protest against
his work in establishing the settlement at Sodus Bay, pending the com-
plete execution of the treaty terminating the Revolutionary War.
WAYNE COUNTY. 47
Williamson was absent at Bath and the messenger left his errand with
Mr. Moffat, with notice that he would return in ten days for a reply.
Williamson arranged to go at once to Sodus and meet Simcoe's messen-
ger. It developed that Mr. Williamson had known the messenger in
England and their interview was friendly; at the same time the mes-
senger was directed to inform Governor Simcoe that no attention would
be paid to his message and that Mr. Williamson would proceed, as he
had before, with his work at settlement; that if interfered with, the
invaders would be met with forcible resistance. It should be explained
that after the declaration of peace following the Revolution, Great
Britain complained that those parts of the treaty which required that
those States in which British subjects were prevented by law from re-
covering debts due to them prior to the Revolution, had been repealed
(as by the treaty they ought to have been), and also that British prop-
erty had been confiscated since the period limited in the treaty for such
confiscations, and no compensation had been allowed to those who had
suffered thereby. On the other hand, the Americans complained that
after the cessation of hostilities, negroes and other property were carried
away by the British soldiers, contrary to stipulations in the preliminary
peace treaty. The British retained possession of posts on our borders
until the settlement of all these matters in 1796.
All the settlements in the Genesee country soon learned of the threat-
ened invasion; and at the same time it was noticed that the conduct of
the Indians seemed to favor such a movement. Harmar and St. Clair
had been defeated in the West, and Wayne's success was yet problem-
atical. It was well known that the British were aiding and abetting
the Indians against Wayne, and many of the Senecas had armed and
gone to join the forces in the West. Should Wayne be defeated, as all
the settlers thought extremely probable, what would be more likely
than that the Senecas and their allies would return flushed with victory
to lay waste the new country? With these things in view, it is not sur-
prising that the landing of the messenger from Simcoe and his little
party created widespread dismay.
Immediately after the departure of Simcoe's messenger, Mr. William-
son and his coadjutors took immediate steps to prepare for possible
trouble and to assure the settlers of protection. He sent a post rider
to both Albany and Philadelphia, with messages explaining the whole
situation. In one of the letters he said:
48 LANDMARKS OF
It is pretty well ascertained that for some time past, quantities of military stores
and ammunition have been forwarded to Oswego. This makes me think it not im-
probable that Lieutenant Sheafe (he was Simcoe's messenger) will take a forcible
possession of Sodus on his return. I shall, however, without relaxing, go on with
my business there, until drove off by a superior force. It is needless for me to trouble
you with any com meDts on this unparalleled piece of insolence, and gross insult to
the government of the United States. l
While Mr. Williamson was thus exerting- himself to support his posi-
tion in his settlement and to provide for adequate protection by the
government, affairs were reaching a climax in another direction.
" Mad Anthony Wayne " was on the war-path and four days after Sim-
coe had sent his message to Mr. Williamson, met the Indians in the
West and crushed them. The importance of this victory, both to the
settlers in the (ienesee country and to the country at large, was great
It gave security and hope to the harassed settlers and permanently
ended the long succession of Indian treaties that had been more or less
fruitless. The Senecas returned to their homes humbled and subdued,
1 It is worth while to gain a new knowledge of Simcoe's operations during the
year in question (1794), as detailed in another letter from Mr. Williamson to Sir
William Pulteney, in which he wrote as follows: " I shall make no further comment
on this business, than to observe, that anything short of actual hostilities, it com-
pletes the unequalled insolent conduct of Mr. Simcoe toward this government. Mr.
vSimcoe's personal treatment of myself and you, I treat with the scorn it deserves, but
I beg leave to give you a sketch of his political conduct. On his first arrival in this
country, by deep-laid schemes he has prevented every possibility of an accommoda-
tion between the country and the hostile Indians, and this summer, by his intrigues,
he has drawn several tribes of friendly Indians from the territory of the United States
to the British side of the lines, and left nothing undone to induce the Six Nations,
our neighbors, to take up the hatchet the moment he gives the word. You must be
acquainted with his marching a body of armed troops, and erecting a fort at the rap-
ids of the Miami seventy miles within the territory of the United States, but this
being an extensive wilderness, seemed of less importance. Not content with this,
he has now interfered with our settlements, in a manner so unlike the dignity of a
great nation that it must astonish you. If it is the intention of the British ministry,
by low and underhanded schemes, to keep alive a harassing war against helpless
women and children, or by murders on the frontier, to add to the list of the murders
already committed by the influence of their servants here, and to treat this govern-
ment with the most unwarrantable insolence and contempt, I allow that Mr. Simcoe
is a most industrious and faithful servant the British government ever had. But if
it is their intention to cultivate a friendly intercourse with this country, it never can
take place while such is the conduct of their governor here. . . . If these trans-
actions are in consequence of orders from Great Britain, and their views are hostile,
there is nothing further to be said.
5 {, o fr \
O fL&LA.
It
sJ-0LA?!t c/~L<
WAYNE COUNTY. 49
and entertaining ideas of Wayne born in the consternation and awe
that fell upon them when they saw the warriors fall like leaves before
his onslaught.
Prior to the visit of Lieutenant Sheaffe to Mr. Williamson with Sim-
coe's message, and on the 3d of July, the War Department had been
specifically informed of the exposed condition of the settlers in the
Genesee country. The acts of the British to which we have alluded
were made the subject of a letter from General Washington to John
Jay, then minister in London, in which he wrote as follows:
( )f this irregular and high-handed proceeding of Mr, Simcoe, which is no longer
masked, I would rather hear what the ministry of Great Britain will say. . . This
may be considered as the most open and daring act of the British agents in America,
though it is not the most hostile and cruel ; for there does not remain a doubt in the
mind of any well informed person in this country, not shut against conviction, that
all the difficulties we encounter with the Indians, their hostilities, the murders of
helpless women and children, along our frontiers, result from the conduct of agents
of Great Britain in this country.
In the same letter Washington predicted that it would be impossible
to keep this country on peaceful terms with England long, unless the
various posts were surrendered to us.
Congratulations upon Wayne's victory and the resultant peace were
general, and nothing more was heard of invasions from Canada.
There were other hardships which the early settlers were forced to
endure, but they were mostly men of stability, perseverance and energy.
Buying his land on easy terms at a low price, and inspired with the
vigor of young manhood, the pioneer thought the road to independence
would not be a long nor a very hard one ; but many were grievously
disappointed. The meager crops raised on the small clearing were
needed for home consumption ; or, if there was a small surplus, it was
difficult to dispose of it. The roads to a market were often impassable
for teams ; interest accumulated, and what was worse than all else,
sickness was very prevalent in many localities, and good medical
attendance almost impossible to obtain. Fever and ague was espe-
cially afflicting and disheartening. This intermittent disease gave the
settlers their "sick days" and their "well days," * and they could work
1 Dr. Coventry, who lived near Geneva in 1792-4 said that those seasons were very
sickly in proportion to the population, in all the Genesee country. "I remember,"
said he, "when in Geneva there was but a single individual who could leave her bed.
In 1795 no rain fell in June or July; water in the lakes was lowered ; every inlet
7
50 LANDMARKS OF
only on the latter. These troubles, with the others we have described,
would doubtless have driven many away from their homes, had it not
been for the liberal, energetic and protective policy adopted by Mr.
Williamson.
This chapter may be closed with an original article, showing clearly
the policy of Mr. Williamson, and its effects on settlements, which was
printed in the Commercial Agricultural Journal, in London, England,
in August, 1799. It was as follows:
This immense undertaking' is under the direction and in the name of Captain
Williamson, formerly a British officer, but is generally supposed in America to be a
joint concern between him and Sir William Patence, of London; in England Patence
is believed to be the proprietor and Williamson his agent. The land in the Genesee
country, or that part of it which belongs to the State of Massachusetts, was sold to a
Mr. Phelps for five pence per acre; by him in 1790, to Mr. Morris, at one shilling per
acre, being estimated at a million of acres, on condition that the money was to be
returned provided Captain Williamson, who was to view the lands, should not find
them answerable to the description. He was pleased with them, and, on survey,
found the tract to contain one hundred and twenty thousand acres more than the
estimate, the whole of which was conveyed to him. This district is bounded on one
side by Lake Ontario, and on the other by the River Genesee. Williamson also
bought some other land of Mr. Morris, so that he is now proprietor of more than a
million and a half aci'es. After surveying the whole, he resolved to found at once
several large establishments rather than one capital colony. He therefore fixed on
the most eligible place for building towns, as central spots for his whole system.
These were Bath, on the Conhockton, Williamsburg, on the Genesee; Geneva, at
the foot of Lake Seneca; and Great Sodus, on Lake Ontario. The whole territory
he divided into squares of six miles. Each of these squares he forms into a district.
Sure of finding settlers and purchasers when he had established a good communica-
tion between his new tract and Philadelphia, and as the old road was by way of
New York and Albany, Williamson opened a road which has shortened the distance
three hundred miles. He has also continued his roads from Kath to Geneva, to
Canandaigua, and to Great Sodus, and several roads of communication. He has
already erected ten mills — three corn and seven sawing — has built a great many
houses, and has begun to clear land. He put himself to the heavy expense of trans-
porting eighty families from Germany to his settlements; but owing to a bad choice
made by his agent at Hamburg, they did little, and after a short time set off for
Canada. He succeeded better in the next set, who were mostly Irish. They put
the roads into condition, and gave such a difference to the whole that the lands which
he sold at one dollar an acre was soon worth three and he disposed of eight hundred
thousand acres in this way so as to pay the first purchase, the whole expense incurred,
and has made a profit of fifty pounds. The rapid increase of property is owing to
to the money first advanced, but the great advantage is Williamson's constant
became a seat of putrefaction. . . In the Autumn of 1796 along an extent of four
miles of a thinly-inhabited road, '24 deaths took place from dysentery."
WAYNE COUNTY. 51
residence on the settlement, which enables him to conclude any contract or to remove
any difficulty which may stand in the way; besides, his land is free from all dispute
or question of occupancy, and all his settlement is properly ascertained and marked
out. There has been a gradual rise in values, and a proviso is always inserted
in the deed of sale to those who purchase a large quantity, that a certain
number of acres shall be cleared, and a certain number of families settled, within
eighteen months. Those who buy from five hundred to one thousand acres are only
obliged to settle one family. These clauses are highly useful, as they draw an
increase of population and prevent the purchase of lands for speculation only.
Captain Williamson, however, never acts up to the rigor of his claim where any
known obstacles impede the execution. The terms of payment are to discharge half
the purchase in three years, and the remainder in six, which enables the industrious
to pay from the produce of the land. The poorer families he supplies with an ox, a
cow, or even a home. To all the settlements he establishes, he takes care- to secure
a constant supply of provisions for the settlers, or supplies them from his own store.
When five or six settlers build together, he always builds a house at his own expense,
which soon sells at an advanced price. Every year he visits each settlement, which
tends to diffuse a spirit of industry and promote the sale of lands, and he employs
every other means he can suggest to be useful to the inhabitants. He keeps stores
of medicines, encourages races and amusements, and keeps a set of beautiful stallions.
He has nearly finished his great undertaking, and proposes to take a voyage to Eng-
land to purchase the best horses, cattle, sheep, implements of agriculture, etc.
Captain Williamson has not only the merit of having formed, and that in a judicious
manner, this fine settlement, but he has the happiness to live universally respected,
honored and beloved. Bath is the chief settlement, and it is to be the chief town of
the county of the same name. At the town he is building a school, which is to be
endowed with some hundred acres of land. The salary of the master, Williamson
means to pay until the instruction of the children shall be sufficient for his support.
He has built a session house and a prison, and one good inn, which he has sold for a
good profit, and is now building another which is to contain a ball-room. He has
also constructed a bridge, which opens a free and easy communication with the other
side of the river. He keeps in his own hands some small farms in the vicinity of Bath,
which are under the care of a Scotchman, and which appear to be better plowed and
managed than most in America. In all the settlements he reserves one estate for
himself, the stock on which is remarkably good. These he disposes of occasionally
to his friends, on some handsome offers. To the settlements already mentioned he
is now adding two others, one at the mouth of the Genesee the other at Braddock,
thirty miles farther inland. Great Sodus, on the coast of this district, promises to
afford a safe and convenient place for ships, from the depth of water, and it may be
easily fortified. The climate here is much more temperate than in Pennsylvania.
The winter seldom lasts more than four months, and the cattle even in that season,
graze in the forest without inconvenience. These settlements are, however, rather
unhealthy, which Captain Williamson ascribes to nothing but the natural effects of
the climate on new settlers, and is confined to a few fits of fever with which
strangers are seized the first or second year of their arrival. The inhabitants all
agree, however, that the climate is unfavorable, and the marshes and pieces of
52 LANDMARKS OF
stagnant water are thickly spread over the country ; but these will be drained as
the population increases. On the whole, it promises to be one of the most con-
siderable settlements in America.
CHAPTER VI.
Circumstances of the Pioneers — Current Prices of Produce — Inconvenience of Dis-
tant Markets — Gradual Improvement of Roads — Old Stage Lines — Erection of Early
Mills— Outbreak of the War 1812— Effects of the Conflict in Wayne County— Military
Operations at Sodus Bay — Account of a Skirmish — Descent Upon Pultneyville —
General Improvements Following the Close of the War.
With the establishment of peaceful relations with the Indians and the
British, the further opening of roads, and the rapid influx of settlers
during the first ten years of the present century, came an era of com-
parative prosperity to the pioneers of Wayne county. J Hardships and
privation were, of course, still common to all. The area of cleared
land was yet small, and difficult of tillage; prices of crops were low
and markets far distant ; and sickness, which seems to prevail in all
new settlements, was still general in many localities. A partial idea
of what the community had to contend with in some respects may be
gained from the following list of prices of 1801: Wheat, seventy-five -
cents; corn, three shillings; rye, fifty cents; hay, six to twelve dol-
lars per ton ; butter and cheese, eleven to sixteen cents a pound ; salt
pork, eight to ten dollars per cwt. ; whisky, fifty to seventy-five cents
per gallon; salt, five dollars per barrel; sheep, two to four dollars per
head; milch cows, sixteen to twenty-five dollars a head ; horse, 10<> to
125 dollars per span; working oxen, fifty to eighty dollars per yoke;
laborers, wages, ten to fifteen dollars a month, with board. A home-
made suit of clothes sold for four to five dollars.
In 1805 a settler on the Purchase began building a frame house, and
wanted a small quantity of glass and nails. They were not to be easily
obtained. He started with an ox team and sled, and fifty bushels of
1 The reader will have noticed that we often use the name of Wayne county in de-
scribing events that occurred long before the county was organized. In doing so,
reference is made only to the territory afterwards embraced in the county. We
adopt this course to avoid useless repetition and explanation.
WAYNE COUNTY. 58
wheat, for Utica, more than a hundred miles distant, where he sold the
grain for $1.68 per bushel to Watts Sherman, the early merchant of
that place, bought the wrought nails for eighteen cents per pound, and
two boxes of glass for $7.50. The bill of goods was made out by
B. Gibson, the subsequent prominent banker of Canandaigua. Stephen
Durfee left a record that wheat in the few first years of settlement sold
often at thirty-seven and a half cents, and on one occasion at twenty-
five cents a bushel. In the fall of 1804 a hundred bushels of wheat
were taken on a wagon from this locality to Albany, with the help of
four yoke of oxen — two hundred and thirty miles. The wheat was
bought in Bloomfield for five shillings currency per bushel ; it sold in
Albany for seventeen and one-fourth shillings. This was a good profit;
but it was a long distance to haul, and over very poor roads. In fact
it was seen clearly enough that the conditions of transportation from
one point to another governed prices of crops and merchandise, and
that the great need of the new country was better roads. As the high-
ways were improved, and the quantity of grain, and particularly of
wheat, grown in the county and vicinity greatly increased, many hardy
men engaged in teaming and the roads eastward presented a bus)7
scene. The so-called "Pennsylvania wagons" were numerous, drawn
by six horses, and carrying immense loads. This business was very
prosperous until about the time of the opening of the canal. In the
latter part of this period wheat was sometimes carried to Albany at
two shillings and sixpence per bushel. Large quantities of grain went
into the distilleries and were turned into whisky, which found a ready
sale. Small distilleries were very numerous, though few were large,
and many of them were built of logs. Their operation constituted a
large part of the business enterprise of the first quarter of the present
century, and whisky drinking was as common as water drinking. The
sale of ashes and the manufacture of crude potash was of great im-
portance to the pioneers. The ashes cost nothing but the transporta-
tion, for their production was incumbent upon the clearing of land,
and as late as 1815 their sale was a principal source of obtaining
groceries and occasionally a little money.
Stages were running regularly over the great turnpike from Utica to
Canandaigua at the beginning of the century. The long bridge at
Cayuga was finished in 1800, and many branch roads were laid out and
somewhat improved before 1815. Ganargwa Creek was made a public
highway in 1799, with many other streams of this section. In 1800 a
54 LANDMARKS OF
good road was made twelve miles westward from the Genesee River at
the site of Avon; and at the road called the "new State road" between
Lewiston and Rochester, on the accompanying map of 1809, was begun
about the same time. But the roads westward from the county were
of little importance to the settlers, as far as improving their markets
was concerned. In 1804 a road was made through Galen and Palmyra,
and onward to the Genesee River. There was only one mail between
Canandaigua and Rochester in 1812, and that was carried on horse-
back, and, as related, part of the time by a woman. As late as 1813
the ridge road between Rochester and Lewiston was almost impassable
in many places, and $5,000 were appropriated by the Legislature for
cutting out the path and bridging the streams. For a considerable
period, it was thought that land transportation from Wayne county
eastward would never, or at least not in many years, compete with the
water route. It was this belief that led to the building of Durham
boats at Palmyra and elsewhere at a very early date.
The erection of the first grist mills in the county created another
avenue for disposing of a part of the wheat crops, and at the same time
supplied one of the greatest necessities of the pioneers. A mill was
built at Lyons in 1800, and one at Palmyra still earlier. Augustus
Porter built and operated several mills in different localities in this sec-
tion, and in L812 advertised that he would pay one dollar a bushel for
wheat at any of his mills. Within a year later it was worth eleven
shillings. The multiplication of early stores for barter enabled the
farmers who were raising crops prior to he war of 1812, to exchange
them for household goods, bringing long-missed comforts to their
homes, but generally at high prices. School -houses sprang up in the
wilderness, as they always have done in the track of the American
pioneer, and simultaneously churches were organized at various points.
The Presbyterian church at Palmyra came into existence in L797, and
was followed by the Baptist in 1800. In the latter year, also, the
Presbyterian church at Lyons was organized. All of these subjects
will be further treated in the subsequent histories of the several towns
of the county. At the close of the first decade of this century the
population of Wayne had reached only 1,110. The entire population
of what is now Monroe county, east of the river; Wayne, excepting
the eastern towns, and Ontario, Yates and Livingston, was: Males,
21,835; females, L9,681; slaves, 211; total, 42,026.
WAYNE COUNTY. 55
A number of the pioneers brought skives into the country with them
at an early day and held them in bondage for considerable periods. In
what is now the town of Huron, Thomas Helms, who settled about the
year 1800, brought about seventy slaves from Maryland and settled at
Port Glasgow, on Big Sodus Bay. There is no doubt but he expected
to establish the institution permanently. He is reported as a brutal
character who cruelly treated the slaves, by whose labor about a hun-
dred acres around the bay were cleared up. Upon the death of Helms
the hated institution soon expired in that region, but under what con-
ditions we have not learned.
Col. Peregrine Fitzhugh, who was also from Maryland, brought his
slaves with him to Sodus Point. The colonel had been a Revolution-
ary soldier, and lived in Geneva three years before settling at the Point.
His family, including the slaves, numbered forty persons. These
slaves were freed within a few years after their' arrival, and with others,
formed a little colony on the " out-lots "at " the city."
An act of the Legislature passed April 5, 1810, provided that all per-
sons who emigrated hither from Virginia and Maryland in the preced-
ing ten years, " who held in their own right slaves, which they brought
with them from the said States, be and they are hereby authorized to
hire out said slaves to any citizen of this State for a term not exceeding
seven years." At the end of this term the slaves so hired out were to
be free.
The peaceful and hopeful conditions which we have briefly pictured
as existing in Wayne county down to about 1812, were now to be rudely
dispelled by the culmination of the persistent injustice of Great Britain
in her assertion of the right to search neutral vessels for deserters from
the royal navy, under which claim hundreds of Americans had been
taken from American vessels under the pretense that they were sus-
pected of desertion, and compelled to serve under a flag which thev
especially detested. On the 20th of June, 1812, President Madison, by
authority of Congress, declared war against the mother country.
Wayne county constituted a part of the frontier, and, as such, her in-
habitants appreciated their exposed situation and were correspondingly
agitated at their immediate prospects. Opposite Buffalo was Fort Erie
with a small garrison. At the mouth of Niagara River was Fort George,
an insignificant work, and a little above the falls was Fort Chippewa,
also a small stockade. The war began in the West and on the ocean,
but we are concerned only with the operations of Northern New York,
56 LANDMARKS OF
which did not commence till considerably later. A general order of
the War Department, issued April 21, L812, organized the detached
militia of the State into two divisions and eight brigades. Of one of
these brigades William Wadsworth, of Ontario county, was made com-
mander. The capture of two trading vessels at Ogdensburg in the
spring of L812 began hostilities in Northern New York. On a Sabbath
morning late in July, a conflict took place at Sackett's Harbor, between
five British vessels, and the Oneida, an American vessel under com-
mand of Lieut. Melancthon Woolsey, with a few guns on shore. The
British vessels were defeated in a humiliating manner and driven off.
The command of Lake Ontario now seemed more than ever important.
Gen. Henry Deaborn was made commander-in-chief of the Northern
Department. The battle at Oueenston in October followed, in which
the Americans were finally defeated, losing in one day in killed,
wounded and prisoners, about 1,100 men. But this disaster was
avenged by several memorable and successful battles on the ocean. An
unsuccessful attack was made upon Ogdensburg in September; and
early in November, Commodore Isaac Chauncey appeared on Lake On-,
tario with a little squadron of American schooners. With these he
blockaded a British squadron in Kingston harbor, disabled the Royal
George, destroyed one armed schooner, captured three merchant ves-
sels, and took several prisoners. He then returned to Sackett's Har-
bor. On the 21st of November (1812), a heavy bombardment was
made by the British upon old Fort Niagara, which led to preparations
for the invasion of Canada by General Smythe, in command at Buffalo;
but his loudly proclaimed intention ended in nothing but words.
Meanwhile there were active operations in the West. September !(>,
L813, Commodore Perry won his memorable victory on Lake Eric and
sent his immortal message to his superior, General Harrison: "We have
met the enemy and they arc ours." On the 2*2d of February, L813,
( )gdensburg was sacked and partially burned. In April, the fortified
position at York, Canada, was captured by the Americans, who, flushed
with victory, sailed in considerable force from Sackett's Harbor to
attack Fort George. This work was captured, and Forts Erie and
Chippewa were abandoned, leaving the Canadian frontier in possession
of the Americans. On the 29th of May a large force attacked the post
at Sackett's Harbor, which was abandoned by the Americans, and an
immense quantity of stores was lost. The other principal events of
L813 were ah attack by the British on Schlosser on the night of July 4,
WAYNE COUNTY. 57
and an unsuccessful attack by the British on the post of Black Rock,
whence they were driven back by the Americans under Gen. Peter B.
Porter. In August there was activity on Lake Champlain, and Platts-
burg was seized, plundered and partly burned by a British land and
water force. In October a large force sailed from Sackett's Harbor,
destined to Montreal, but after severe hardships and considerable fight-
ing in the freezing weather, the expedition as planned was given up and
the flotilla went into winter quarters at French Mills on the Salmon
River. Still more distressing events were to occur before the cam-
paign closed. Early in December General McClure abandoned Fort
George as untenable, and crossed over to Fort Niagara; before leaving
the Canada shore he burned the little village of Newark. Fierce re-
taliation quickly followed. The enraged British captured Fort Niagara
and massacred a part of the garrison ; sacked and burned Buffalo and
Black Rock and drove the poor inhabitants far through the winter
snows. Meanwhile the naval operations of 1813 were important and
resulted generally in success to the American cause.
The British began vigorous operations with the opening of the cam-
paign of 1814, the events of which can only be briefly alluded to here.
Both parties to the conflict had been preparing during the winter to
gain the mastery of Lake Ontario. Sir James Yeo appeared on the
lake; left Kingston harbor when the ice went out, in command of a
large squadron and about 3,000 men. Proceeding to Oswego he cap-
tured that post on the 5th of May. They abandoned their purpose of
penetrating up the Oswego River and withdrew on the 7th, carrying away
several prisoners. In June General Brown marched from Sackett's
Harbor and on the 1st of July was near the site of burned Buffalo.
Opposite him on the Canadian side was the principal military force un-
der command of Lieutenant-General Drummond. Brown was under
orders to invade Canada. His force consisted of two brigades of infan-
try, one of them commanded by Gen. Winfield Scott, and some artil-
lery. This force crossed the river early in the morning of July 3, ap-
peared before the fort, and at 6 o'clock the little garrison surrendered.
At the same time General Riall, a brave British officer in command
under Drummond, was marching towards Fort Erie, when he heard of
its investment and capture. He resolved to attack the invaders, and
was soon joined by reinforcements from York. General Scott was sent
with his brigade to meet this force, accompanied by Towson's artillery.
Scott moved on the morning of July 4, pushed on toward Chippewa,
58 LANDMARKS OF
and drove in an advanced detachment of British. There he was joined
by Brown's whole force, and on the morning of the 5th the two con-
tending armies were only two miles apart. A fiercely-fought and san-
guinary battle followed in which 604 British and 355 Americans were
killed and wounded. It was a crushing defeat for the enemy in that
section. Prompt advantage was taken of this situation and the mem-
orable and successful battle of Lundy's Lane wras fought and won on
the 24th, in which General Scott gained undying fame; the immediate
fruits of the victory, however, were not important. From the 7th to
the 14th of August the British besieged Fort Erie, but the Americans
successfully resisted the operations. The British force continued to
invest the works, and on September 17 the Americans made a brillliant
sortie from the fort and captured the advanced works of the enemy,
who were driven back to Chippewa with a loss of 1,000 in killed,
wounded and prisoners. These several victories, with the triumph of
the American arms at Plattsburg, caused great joy throughout the
country.
In October, General Izard came to the Niagara frontier with 5,000
troops and took command, his rank being higher than General Brown's.
The entire force now numbered about 8,000 men. Before they could
attack Drummond, he withdrew to Fort George. Early in November
General Izard caused Fort Erie to be blown up and he then crossed the
river and went into winter quarters at Buffalo and Black Rock. Dur-
ing most of this campaign Commodore Chauncey had been blockaded
at Sackett's Harbor. He suffered from sickness, but after his partial
recovery went out on a cruise and blockaded Kingston Harbor. Dur-
ing the occurrence of these events in Northern New York, important
operations of the war were conducted in other parts of the country, the
course of which need not be followed here; they are found described
on the pages of general history in numerous works. The bloody battle
of New Orleans, fought on the 8th of January, L815, was the last en-
gagement of the war, and a treaty of peace had been signed between
the two countries on the 24th of December, L814, which was ratified by
the British government on the 28th of December, and by the United
States on the 17th of February, 1815.
At the time of the breaking out of the war, Sod us Point had not
ceased to be regarded as a place of great importance. Its exceptionally
tine harbor and its situation on the line of east and west lake naviga-
tion, seemed to assure it a future of consequence as a lake port. Its
WAYNE COUNTY. 59
retention in the hands of the Americans was hence considered impera-
tive. Some military stores were placed there early in the struggle and
in 1813 a military force was established to guard the locality and
particularly to protect the property of the government. A company of
which Enoch Morse was captain, Noble Granger, lieutenant, and Mil-
ton Granger, orderly sergeant, was posted at the Point, which had been
threatened by the fleet of British vessels. On the 12th of June, the
fleet having retired, the local militia started for their homes. On the
same day, the British fleet returned in force of some ninety vessels,
and threatened a landing. To avert the impending invasion, a horse-
man rode rapidly away towards South Sodus, shouting to the inhab-
itants to turn out to meet the foe. A logging bee was in progress at
South Sodus, and those engaged hurriedly left for the Point, some of
the men not waiting to go to their homes. From Sodus village, too,
where about forty men had just returned from a "raising," they all
huried off to the threatened locality. The following carefully prepared
account of the ensuing events was prepared in 1877 for the Everts &
Ensign history of the county, and is worthy of transcription:
The space of cleared land was limited to a small area, and a dense growth of trees
and brush came across the public square. This was almost impassable, save by one
road north to the present lighthouse, thence west along the lake bank, bearing south
and intersecting the present road. A foot path from near the site of the Methodist
Church led off southwest. Part of the stores had been taken from the warehouse and
lay concealed in a ravine between what is now West and Ontario streets. During
the early evening. Elder Seba Norton was the leader, but Col. Elias Hill, of Lyons,
arriving, he took command. The night was dark and a slight rain was falling, when
it was agreed to form in the skirt of the bushes and advance upon a reconnoissance.
If the enemy was met a volley was to be fired, and then "each for himself." On the
high ground a little south of the present (1877) Johnson house, they heard the enem}-
advancing and displaying a few lights. Amasa Johnson shot down one light and
drew the British random fire. A volley from the militia and then followed a British
retreat of marvellous celerity. The enemy re-embarked, having captured two men,
a Mr. Britton and Harry Skinner, whom they set on shore the next day. Nathaniel
Merrill and Major Farr each thought the other the enemy. The major got entangled
in fallen timber and brush and could not extricate himself until daylight. George
Palmer passed Elder Norton, who had been at Monmouth and Saratoga, and the
veteran refused to run. Chester Eldridge from the bushes shouted, "I am killed; I
am killed." Examination showed that a bullet had cut a gash in his throat which
bled profusely. One Knight was wounded, and a Mr. Terry was so badly injured as
to die from the effects of a shot. Next day the enemy threw a few cannon shot,
landed a small force, and took away the contents of the storehouse. The British
evidently feared the presence of a heavy force, and dared not venture from the land-
ing. Mr. Warner was mortally wounded by the British soldiers. All the buildings
60 LANDMARKS OF
save one were burned. The tavern of. Nathaniel Merrill, the store of Mr. Wickham,
with its contents, his dwelling, the Fitzhugh house, the bouse of William Edus, a
warehouse, and perhaps others, were destroyed. The building saved was a part of
the Mansion House, then recently erected by Barakins & Hoylarts. In this house
Mr. Warner was placed and there he died. It is said that the British placed a pitcher
of water near him, and that the officers twice extinguished a lire kindled by the men
to destroy the building. Following is a list of those at the Sodus skirmish: Elder
Seba Norton, George Palmer, Byram Green, Timothy Axtell, Freeman Axtell,
Knight, Terry, and Warner, Lyman Dunning, Elias Hull, Alanson M. Knapp,
Amasa Johnson, Nathaniel Morrill, Major Farr, Isaac Lemmon, Robert Carpthers,
John Hawley, Joseph Ellis, Alanson Corey, Galusha Harrington, Chester Eldridge,
Ammi Ellsworth, Isaac Davis, Payne, Pollock, Benjamin Blanchard, Robert A. Pad-
dock, Britton, Jenks Pullen, Daniel Norton, John Holcomb, Thomas Johnson, Lyman
Seymour, Harry Skinner, Daniel Arms, and Alexander Knapp.
Among other citizens of Sodus, who took part in the general service
were George Palmer, Daniel Norton, Alexander Morrow, Dr. Gibbs,
Byram Green, and others.
This is not the record of a great battle, but it must be remembered
that there were not probably 2,000 persons in the county at that time,
which would indicate about 200 heads of families. It is well known
that most of these took part in the war in some capacity and for longer
or shorter periods. At any rate, Wayne is one of the few counties of
interior and Western New York that was hallowed by the blood of the
enemy in the last war with the mother country. 1
One of the companies of the early militia was in existence at Lyons
as early as 1808, having been recruited in the vicinity. It was com-
manded in the year named by Capt. William Paton, Lieut. Peter Per-
rine, Ensign James Beard, and Orderly Sergeant William Duncan.
When the war began a large share of this company entered the service
and went to the Niagara frontier. At that time the officers were :
Captain, Elias Hull; lieutenant, David Perrine; ensign, William C.
Guest. The following account of the part taken by this company in
the action at Sodus Point is taken from the files of the Lyons Republi-
can :
At an early day Sodus Point was regarded as destined to become a place of com-
mercial importance. Here was safe and commodious anchorage for vessels, and here
was an outlet for the produce of a large section of country. Long lines of wagons
1 In these humble annals, let it be recordedasan actof justice, withheld by partial
historians of the war, that citizen soldiers who had faltered under inefficient leaders,
won laurels, vindicated this branch of national defense, when better leaders and bet-
ter auspices prevailed. — Turner s Plielps and Cor ham' s Purchase, p. jjg.
WAYNE COUNTY. 01
were often to be seen passing northward through Lyons, from Phelps, Geneva, and
other places, loaded with flour, pork and potatoes — in those (Hays the principal articles
of export. The declaration of war, in 1812, was received with serious alarm by the
people living- along our northern borders. This was increased by tidings of the sur-
render of Detroit and our northern army under General Hull, and we were illy pre-
pared to meet the incursions of our hostile neighbors. There was a small fleet on
Lake Ontario, but it was altogether inadequate to protect the coast. Volunteers
were therefore called to defend our county. Age and youth vied with each other in
filling the ranks, and soon a very formidable army appeared at Sodus Point. These
were organized and placed under command of General Swift. Hastily gathered
under strong excitement, hardship soon cooled their ardor and and a desire to return
home prevailed. The general gave orders for a dismissal. Preliminaries were soon
settled and the men freed from the restraint and the monotony of camp life.
A large quantity of government property lay concealed in the woods some distance
from the Point. The company under Capt. Elias Hull was detailed to guard these
stores. The captain had been some time in service without opportunity of dis-
tinguishing himself, and conceived the time had arrived. He therefore ordered a
night march down to the Point, and gave command to his men, if they met the foe,
to give him one volley, and then fall back in good order behind the barrels and await
the enemy's advance. Captain Hull was cautious as he was ambitious. Arrived in
one of the small hollows near the Point, he halted, drew the command up in line,
and sent two men, Pease and Gibbs, forward to reconnoitre. They had just reached
the top of the hill when they met two platoons of British regulars marching up the
opposite side. The scouts fired and gave the alarm. Captain Hull shouted, "Fire,"
and a wild, harmless volley whistled through the trees ; then, "Retreat," and the cap-
tain rapidly led the way to the rear, and took shelter under a large hemlock log,
where he passed the night. The British moved quickly to the top of the hill, re-
turned the fire, and, advancing on the double-quick, caught sight of the long line of
barrels, Avhich assumed the apparent character of a battery. They halted, then beat
a hasty retreat, and burnt the mills on their return to the bay. The command to
halt not being given several of the company were seen in Lyons early next morning
and "lived to fight another day."
At a town meeting held in 1814 in Sodus, the following- resolutions
were adopted. They indicate the general feeling of all this region
along the frontier :
Resolved, That we deem it inexpedient to send delegates to the convention to be
held at Canandaigua the 15th of September. This town being most exposed to the
enemy, it is deemed best to provide ourselves for the defense of the frontier.
Resolved, That we make immediate preparation for defense.
Resolved, That William M. Loomis, AVilliam Wickham, John Fellows, Thomas
Wafer, and Ashur Doolittle be a committee for the town of Sodus.
Resolved, That a notice signed by a majority of the Committee of Safety, giving
notice of the approach of the enemy, be sufficient to justify said office.
Resolved, That said committee offer a subscription to the good people of Sodus
for funds to defend said town, and that such subscription be demanded only in case
of the enemy obtaining command of Lake Ontario.
62 LANDMARKS OF
This was patriotic action and shows that the people appreciated their
exposed situation and were prepared to defend their homes.
A descent of the British upon Pultneyville wasa part of the campaign
by the British in June, 1814. Commodore Yeo was then cruising along
the lake coast with his squadron, and landed a considerable force at
this point. Gen. John Swift was in command of the small force of
militia at that time, and sent out a flag of truce to the commander of
the fleet. Under this a stipulation was made by which the invaders
were allowed to take all the public property in the place, and requiring
that private property and the persons of inhabitants should be respected.
The government stores had been largely removed previous to this time.
The British boats landed and a quantity of flour from the storehouse
was taken on board, the militia remaining meanwhile stationed some
distance to the rear. It was the understanding of the militia that the
British would confine their operations to the warehouse and its yard ;
and when two or three of them came outside they were fired upon by
the militia and a British officer was wounded. A signal to the fleet
caused it to open fire upon the place, while the soldiers who had landed
proceeded to the tavern and captured Richard White and Russell Cole,
and thence to the storehouse and took Prescott Fairbanks. Cole escaped
before he could be put in a boat ; the others were taken to Montreal.
Fairbanks was soon afterward released and White was exchanged later.
It is believed that the fleet was thereupon called to other points, fort-
unately for Pulteneyville, and the party who had landed hurried to
their boats and rowed away. Two of the British were killed and two
wounded in the little skirmish.
There are no accessible records showing in full the names or numbers
of those Wayne settlers who shared in the war of 1812; but we may
safely assume that nearly all able-bodied men did so. Micajah Harding,
of the town of Marion, who raised a company of sharpshooters and
went to the front, left a statement that the draft took nearly all the
men in that town; that there were more soldiers than families. Asa
Swift, who attained the military position of brevet-general, and who
was the first male child born in the town of Palmyra, was in the battle
of Queenston, and led a party against Fort George. He was wounded
there, taken prisoner, and died shortly afterwards. He was buried on
the 12th of July, 1 s 1 4. William Rogers, of Williamson, served through
the war, was made a major, and afterwards kept a tavern until IS Id.
Col. Ambrose Salisbury, who settled at East Palmyra after the war,
WAYNE COUNTY. 63
was conspicuous in that conflict. He volunteered when the first call
was made for volunteers ; but his services were not then needed. Again
a few months later he marched to the Niagara frontier as orderly
sergeant of Capt. Selma Stanley's company in the 31st Regiment. At
the expiration of his term of six months, he returned home; and in
June, 1813, went out again as substitute for his uncle, in a company
from Geneva. In later years he held the post of ensign in the militia
and gradually rose to colonel in 1834. Gilbert Howell, of Lyons, was
in the army and was at one period an aid to General Swift. Daniel
Patterson, of Wolcott, was drafted and served at New York harbor.
Ephraim Green, of Macedon, was a captain in the service. Turner
says : " Most of the immediate recruits for frontier defences were drawn
from the local militia of Western New York ; men who left the plow in
the furrow, the new fallow unfenced, their recently cultivated fields
ripe for the scythe and the sickle, the axe and the maul, the rude mill,
manufactory or workshop, to go out and contend with a powerful foe."
The same writer testifies that "never at any period, in any exigency,
did men more cheerfulty or promptly take up arms, and from citizens
become soldiers, than did most of the able-bodied men of all this region,
on the breakiug out of the war of 1812."
The effects of the war on the inhabitants of Wayne county were
momentous. In the first place, it almost stopped immigration. People
who dwelt in the better protected Eastern States and portions of this
State, were not disposed to jeopardize their lives and property on the
frontier. A few adventurous families, who had already made arrange-
ments to remove westward, persisted in their purpose and on some
occasions met refugees, both soldiers and civilians, fleeing from the
frontier. While many of the settlers had left their homes on account
of sickness, privation and hardship prior to the breaking out of the
war, the number was augmented by the event, though many who left,
returned after the close of the conflict.
The high prices that prevailed for whatever could be sold by the
the settlers during the war and the active markets created through its
influence, were some compensation for the hardships and anxieties of
the people. None of the settlements had increased and in many locali-
ties the opposite was true, while improvement in all material respects
almost ceased. All of Western New York was left in a deplorable con-
dition by the war; and many sections showed its devastating effects
much more than Wayne county. But after the establishment of peace
fi4 LANDMARKS OF
the country responded quickly to better conditions, and the year L815
was devoted to recovery from the paralyzing- effects of the conflict.
Those who had fled from their homes and those who had entered the
service, returned ; the high prices of the necessaries of life dropped
rapidly, and all the avocations of peace were taken up with renewed
energy.
Improvement in public roads and bridges; building of churches and
schools; clearing the lands and the tillage of those already cleared;
establishment of mills and places for trade progressed with encouraging
speed, only to receive a severe check by the memorable cold season of
1 S 1 6-17. The summer of 1810 has probably never been equaled for cold,
severe frosts occurring as late as June and destroying crops every
where. Fields had the appearance in many places of having been burned
over, so complete was the destruction of all vegetation. The hopes and
dependence of the settlers were dissipated. The wheat harvest was
light and protracted till later than usual, and many families actually
suffered for food. The price of wheat rose to from $2 to $3 per
bushel, and the lightness of the crop kept up the price even after the
harvest. Some settlers paid the Indians on the Genesee River $2 a
bushel for corn that they had kept over from 1815. In some of the
newer settlements wheat and corn were shelled out while "in the milk"
and boiled and eaten instead of bread, while others subsisted largely on
milk and the roots and herbs of forest and field.
The following season was an especially fruitful one and the condition
of the people would have changed suddenly from destitution to com-
parative luxury, had there been ready markets for surplus produce.
As it was the relief was wide-spread and gratefully appreciated. Such
was the condition of the people in Wayne county and adjacent territory,
when the first whisperings began to be heard of the possibility of there
being constructed a great water way from Lake Erie to the sea, which
should pass through the very heart of this great fertile region, and
enable the farmers and manufacturers and the merchants to place their
products and their wares upon immense boats to be easily wafted to
the best markets of the country. The history of that great enterprise
is left for another chapter.
WAYNE COUNTY. 65
CHAPTER VII.
Further Improvement in Means of Transportation — Discussion of the "Grand
Canal" — Investigation and Surveys — Progress and Completion of the Great Work —
Its Effect Upon Wayne County — Other Public Improvements — The First Railroad —
The Railroads of Wayne County — Brief History of Mormonism — Inception of Spir-
itualism.
The reader of the foregoing" chapters cannot have failed to perceive
the supreme importance to the inhabitants of Wayne county of better
means of transportation and communication between their homes and
the eastern markets, and the consequent deep interest manifested by
them in the preliminary discussions, surveys, etc., which finally cul-
minated in the construction of the Erie Canal. Not that they were
for several years convinced of the practicability of the future accom-
plishment of the great work, for they were not. It is the destiny of
all daring innovations and new and important projects, to call out the
sneers and ridicule and opposition of the pessimists; and the Erie Canal
was no exception to this universal experience. Outside of a few prac-
tical engineers and men who had gained a knowledge of the feasibility
and existence of similar waterways in other countries, the masses of
the people were unbelievers and scoffers, and even the well-informed
long doubted the success of the various measures necessary to the
completion of the project.
The inhabitants of Wayne county, as well as those in other districts
along the line of the proposed canal, continued their efforts in opening
and improving highways, and clung persistently to the settled belief
that over them, or by way of Lake Ontario, the transportation of their
surplus products and their incoming merchandise must continue in-
definitely. In this connection a legislative act of April 15, 1816, named
commissioners to lay out a road from "the bridge at the Canandaigua
outlet to Great Sodus Bay, where vessels that navigate Lake Ontario
can conveniently come." Another act of the same month and year,
designated commissioners to open a road "from the bridge crossing
the Genesee River opposite the village of Rochester on the most direct
• 9
66 LANDMARKS OF
and eligible route to the Four Corners, on the Ridge road, in the town
of Murray " (then in Genesee county). Prior to the enactment of
these laws, and on March 31, 1815, the Legislature had incorporated
the Montezuma Turnpike and Bridge Company, which was authorized
to build a road from Throopville to the village of Montezuma, and
" from the west side of the marsh lying along the border of the Sen-
eca River opposite said village of Montezuma to the village of Pal-
myra." This company was afterwards authorized to extend their road
eastward to Camillus in Onondaga county.
On the Uth of March, 1817, the Oswego Falls and Sodus Bay Turn-
pike Company was incorporated, its purpose being to construct a road
from "the west side of the Oswego River, near the termination of the
road from Utica, " to Port Glasgow, "on the eastern shore of Sodus
Bay."
Again, in April, 181!) (in which month and year the village of Pal-
myra was incorporated), the Sodus Bay Bridge Company was incor-
porated, to build a bridge " over Great Sodus Bay at or near the route
of the Niagara Ridge or State Road, in the town of Wolcott." On
the 22d of March, 1822, commissioners were named by the Legislature
to lay out a road "from Adams' Mills, in the town of Wolcott, and
from Cooper's Mills, in the town of Sterling, to the bridge over the
Seneca River in the town of Conquest, " aud thence "to the State
Prison in Auburn." A year later, April 3, 1823, commissioners were
appointed to lay out a road from near Oswego Falls to Hannibal, and
thence through Sterling to Wolcott Cemetery " (to connect) "with one
of the present roads leading to the bridge at the head of Sodus Bay."
The reader will clearly observe the general trend of these several
improvements; they were a part of the general struggle to obtain bet-
ter means of communication with the East, a struggle that was to
largely cease after the opening of the Erie Canal.
It is not necessary in these pages to enter into a lengthy and detailed
account of the inception and progress of the canal. Every intelligent
reader has been made familiar with it through one or more of the very
numerous publications in which its history is found. The subject of
water communication from the Hudson River westward was discussed
some years prior to the beginning of the present century, and in 1792
the Western Inland and Lock Navigation Company was organized, and
within the next few years completed the canal around the rapids at
Little Falls and improved the channels of the Mohawk and Wood
WAYNE COUNTY. G7
Creek, greatly facilitating navigation from the Hudson to Oneida Lake
and conferring vast benefit on the State at large.
The claim is made that Gouverneur Morris suggested the construc-
tion of a canal westward to Lake Erie to Simeon De Witt, then sur-
veyor-general, as early as 1803, and that De Witt, like most others at
that time, considered the scheme wildly visionary. 1 Morris talked
with James Geddes, a practical engineer of Onondaga county, about
the project, and he believed the scheme a feasible one, and began cor-
respondence with other engineers on the subject, thus awakening gen-
eral interest. In 1805 Jesse Hawley, a native of Connecticut, was buy-
ing wheat in the Genesee Valley, transporting it to a mill at Seneca
Falls, and thence carrying the flour to the Albany market. However
he may have become impressed with the desirability of a canal, he
wrote a series of newspaper articles in favor of the undertaking, which
created considerable favorable influence. The subject finally became
a political issue and was taken in hand by Hon. Josuha Forman, of
Syracuse, who was elected to the Assembly on the "canal ticket."
Mr. Forman from that time on until the canal was an accomplished
fact was its enthusiastic advocate, and to him as much as to any other
person is due the credit for the great work. He secured a small appro-
priation of $600 and Mr. Geddes received authority to make a prelim-
inary survey. As between the two proposed routes, the one by way of
Lake Ontario and the other direct to Lake Erie, Mr. Geddes reported
in favor of the latter. This took the line directly along or across the
southern part of Wayne county, and we quote as follows regarding the
local features of the project:
Mr. Geddes suggested that there might ' ' be found some place in the Ridge that
bounds the Tonawanda Valley on the north, as low as the level of Lake Erie, where
a canal may be led across and conducted onward without increasing the lockage by
rising to the Tonawanda Swamp." The latter difficulty was involved in the route
1 There is a tradition that Governor Colden as early as 1724 expressed the hope that
sometime the western part of this State might be penetrated by boats independent of
Lake Ontario. In his memoir on the fur trade, written in the year just named, cer-
tainly occurs the following passage: " There is a river which comes from the country
of the Sinnekes and falls into the Onondaga River, by which we have an easy car-
riage into that country without going near the Cataracqui (Ontario) Lake. The
head of this river goes near to Lake Erie and probably may give a very near passage
into that lake, much more advantageous than the way the French are obliged to take
by the way of the great falls of Niagara." It seems possible that the old governor
had a faint vision of clear water communication to Lake Erie.
68 LANDMARKS OF
that had been contemplated by Joseph Ellicott. He supposed the summit on that
line would not be more than twenty feet above Lake Erie, and that upon it a suffi-
cient supply of water might be obtained from Oak Orchard Creek and other streams.
In this he was mistaken; the summit was found to be seventy-five feet above Lake
Erie, and to be supplied with no adequate feeder.
It is entirely probable that the canal could never have been a suc-
cess through Western New York, except for the discovery through the
great genius of Mr. Geddes, that it could follow the course finally
adopted, permitting a continuous flow eastward from Lake Erie.
Commissioners were appointed at the legislative session of 1810 to
thoroughly explore the proposed routes of water communication across
the State, which they did and reported on the 2d of March, 1811. They
recommended the route favored by Mr. Geddes. The estimated cost
of the work was $5,000,000. The Legislature approved this report by
continuing the commission and voting $15,000 for further operations.
Attempts to obtain congressional aid for the undertaking failed, and in
the following year the Legislature authorized the commissioners to
borrow $5,000,000 on the State credit, for the construction of the canal.
The oncoming of the war with Great Britain put a stop to the under-
taking; but in 1815, it was revived and public meetings were held in
various parts of the State, where enthusiastic speakers advocated the
speedy completion of the work. The Legislature of 1810 appointed a
new canal commission, and in the next year Governor Clinton pre-
pared an act authorizing the beginning of the work. The canal was
divided into three sections, eastern, middle and western, Mr. Geddes
being made chief engineer of the western section. Up to the year 1820
nothing but the survey had been accomplished on this division, aside
from the adoption of the route advised by Mr. Geddes. In 1820 he
was succeeded by David Thomas, who in that year made an examina-
tion of the course adopted from Rochester to Pendleton and made some
modification east of Oak Orchard Creek in Orleans county. A more
important change was made in reference to the point of passing the
mountain ridge in Niagara county, and which determined the site of
the city of Lockport. The whole western part of the canal was put
under contract in L821. The work was pushed energetically and dur-
ing tlie autumn of 1825 the canal was navigable as far west on the
western section as Holley (Orleans county), and during the following
season readied the loot of the ridge at Lockport. The great rock-cut-
ting at the latter place was the last piece of work finished between
WAYNE COUNTY. 09
Buffalo and Albany. William C. Bouck, afterwards governor of the
State, was the commissioner in charge of the construction of the west-
ern portion of the canal. On the 20th of September, 1825, he wrote
from Lockport to Stephen Van Rensselaer, another commissioner, as
follows :
Sir: The unfinished parts of the Erie Canal will be completed and in a condition to
admit the passage of boats on Wednesday, the 26th day of October next. It would
have been gratifying to have accomplished this result as eaidy as the first of Septem-
ber, but embarrassments which I could not control delayed it.
On this grand event, so auspicious to the character and wealth of the citizens of
New York, permits me to congratulate you.
By extra exertion the final filling was finished on the 25th of Octo-
ber, and in the forenoon or the next day a flotilla of five boats left Buf-
falo, laden with the highest State officers and other prominent men.
Cannon had been stationed a few miles apart along the whole line of
the canal, to be discharged in order as fast as they were reached by the
boats. A few boats had started westward from Lockport about the
time of the sailing of the flotilla from Buffalo, and met the latter in
Tonawanda Creek, whence all sailed on eastward. 1 Enthusiastic
crowds of people, among them, we may be sure, many who had
ridiculed and opposed the undertaking, met the fleet at the various
villages — Newark (what there was of it), Palmyra, Lyons, and Clyde —
in a general celebration of the event. 2
The Erie canal was at first 302 miles long, and its original cost was
$7,143,780.86. Under an act of Legislature of May, 1835, the canal was
enlarged from a width of forty feet at top and twenty-eight at bottom,
to seventy feet at top and fifty-two and one-half at bottom, and so much
straightened as to reduce its length to 350 and 1-2 miles. The cost of
the enlargement was more than $30,000,000.
xIt was considered an impossibility to make the Erie Canal. People said it might
be possible to make water run up hill, but canal boats never. Some said the}- would
be willing to die, having lived long enough, when boats in a canal should float
through their farms; but afterwards when they saw the boats passing by, they
wanted to live more than ever, to see what would be done next. — Reminisce?ices
of George E. Mix.
2 At the prominent points from Rochester to Albany, where the fleet was to pass
by daylight, celebrations had been arranged: there were processions, congratulatory
addresses, firing of cannon, music and other demonstrations of popular enthusiasm;
even when small villages were passed in the night, crowds were assembled, and some
form of greeting tendered. "It was," said one of the western committee men, "like
a continuous or protracted Fourth of July celebration."
70 LANDMARKS OF
This great waterway was quite generally known in early years as
"the grand canal;" and its wonderful influence upon the material con-
ditions in Wayne county and Western New York generally, it was
"grand" indeed. Those who had from the first ridiculed the project,
were now either silent or converted into enthusiastic eulogists, as they
saw the laden freight boats and the well-patronized packets silently and
rapidly (as compared with other existing means of travel) floating east-
ward and westward along the turbid tide. Wayne county lands, even
to the lake shore, appreciated in value; farmers were encouraged to
new energy and to extend their planting and sowing ; money became
more plenty, and freights fell from $100 per ton to Albany, to ten dol-
lars; a new era of prosperity began. Villages along the canal line that
already had an insignificant existence, took on new life and growth,
while others sprang into being around the warehouses and docks that
were built especially to accommodate the active traffic. Clyde, Lyons,
Newark and Palmyra, with other points of shipment in the county,
promptly felt the influence of the canal (while Newark ma}- be said to
owe its existence to the same influence).
The first boat on this division of the canal left the basin on the east
side of the Genesee River at Rochester, loaded with flour for Little
Falls, on the 20th of October, 1822. The first cargo of wheat from
Ohio reached Rochester in 1831, the vanguard of the great current of
western grains that have since gradually grown into active, if not
ruinous, competition with those of New York State. When navigation
opened in 1823, 10,000 barrels of flour were shipped eastward from
Rochester in the first ten days after the opening.
Among those who were early engaged in the canal trade in this
county were Joel and Levi Thayer, of Palmyra, who built a number of
freight boats. The two men were twins, and on that account one of
their boats was named "The Twin Brothers." Davenport, Barnes &
Co. were extensive produce and commission men at Jessup's Basin, and
were succeeded by S L. Thompson & Co. Aaron Griswold built a
boat near King's Bridge in 1822, which plied between that point and
Lyons and was the first boat to run into the town. Mr. Griswold, in
association with Stephen Ferguson, built two boats in 1820, near Lock-
Berlin, one of the settlements that was born of the canal. Griswold
was an early merchant at that place. Seymour Scovell was an early
merchant of Palmyra; became a canal contractor and built the boat
"Myron Holley," one of the early crafts on the canal. Esbon and Ran-
WAYNE COUNTY. 71
som Blackmar were merchants and extensive shippers by canal in New-
ark, a village that was practically created by the great waterway.
There were occasions during- the most active period of canal business,
previous to the opening of railroads, when fifty or more teams were in
waiting to unload produce at the warehouses and docks in Newark.
The active market for grain and kindred products thus established, led
to the building of quite a number of flouring and grist mills in Lyons
and elsewhere within the county. In March, 1827, the Palmyra Manu-
facturing Company was incorporated, with $30,000 capital, to produce
flour, etc., by George Palmer, Joel McCollum, and Thomas Rogers,
2d; and in the same spring the Pultneyville Steam Mill Company was
incorporated by Daniel Grandin, Joseph Granger, Andrew Cornwall,
Russell Whipple, Roswell Nichols, Jeremiah B. Selly, and Philander B.
Royce. The capital stock was $15,000 and the purpose to grind grain.
Every phase of this condition of prosperity was shared, either directly
or indirectly, by all the towns of Wayne county, and the influence
thereof is felt to the present day.
Following soon upon the opening of the canal, and on April 14,
1827, the Legislature incorporated the Canal Turnpike Company, to
build "a good and sufficient road along the north bank of the canal
from Lyons, through Clyde, to intercept the Montezuma turnpike
on the Cayuga marsh." The capital of the company was $20,000. In
April of the following year (1828), commissioners were named in an
act of the Legislature to lay out a road between Palmyra and Man-
chester in Ontario county. Other similar improvements followed in
later years.
The immediate and unequivocal success of the Erie Canal inaugu-
rated what may be termed a period of "canal fever" throughout
the State of New York and to a less extent in several other States.
During the ten years succeeding the opening of the Erie, the various
Legislatures were besieged with petitions and bills for the incorpora-
tion of canal companies, as they were a little later in the interest of
railroads. The first of the canal schemes having a direct bearing on
Wayne county was the Sodus Canal Company, incorporated March
19, 182!), with capital stock of $200,000. This company was authorized
to construct a canal from the Canandaigua outlet, or Seneca River,
"where the Erie Canal crosses said streams, near Montezuma, to
such convenient place on Great Sodus Bay as is accessible to vessels
navigating Lake Ontario." This canal was to be finished in ten years,
72 LANDMARKS OF
and was designed to open a large waterway from Lake Ontario to the
head of Cayuga Lake, at Ithaca, with a possibility of future connection
with the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay. It was a most
attractive scheme! In Tompkins county, and especially at Ithaca, it
commanded widespread attention, as that place was belived to be the
one that would be most benefited by it. Eloquent speakers advocated
the project and inspired visions of future commercial greatness for
the little village at the head of the lake, as well as for the less important
trade centers of Wayne county. An old painting of Ithaca and the
lake in that vicinity, made just after the canal was projected, shows
the water thickly studded with vessels, many of them apparently large
sea-going ships. A little work was done on the canal at Soclus Bay,
after subscriptions to the stock had begun, and later the State Legis-
lature was asked to aid the undertaking. This request was refused and
the project began to languish. Capitalists did not support it as had
been expected, and in 1861, after repeated amendments and extensions,
the charter expired by limitation. In 1862 a new act was passed pro-
viding that if the general government would supply money to finish
the canal, it should have perpetual right of transit through its waters
for government vessels, free of toll. But Uncle Sam declined the
speculation and the Great Sodus Canal, like very many other similar
projects, died from lack of nutrition. It is probable that this canal
scheme was in some measure due to lingering influence of the early
hopes we have before alluded to, of a southern water outlet for the
products of the Genesee country.
The only other canal company in which Wayne county felt a direct
interest was called the Ontario Canal Campany, which had its incep-
tion at a public meeting held in Canandaigua August 21, 1820. There
the plan was discussed of building a lateral canal from Canandaigua
Lake to "the Grand Canal." A committee was appointed consisting
of John C. Spencer, James D. Bemis (long a conspicuous newspaper
publisher of Canandaigua), Asa Stanley, Dudley Marvin, and William
H. Adams, to locate a route for the canal. Their report was made
December 21, 1820, to the effect that the proposed waterway would lie
nineteen and one-half miles long; that its northern terminus should be
at the Erie Canal three and one-half miles west of Palmyra village ;
that the descent from the lake to Ganargwa Creek was 22.') feet, requir-
ing twenty-three locks in the canal; that the gross cost would he not
more than $60,000. The proposed eapital of the company was $100,-
WAYNE COUNTY. 73
000. A committee of fifteen persons was then appointed to petition
the Legislature for an act of incorporation, and the desired act was
passed March 31, L821. Stock subscription books were opened May
23, by Commissioners Nathaniel Gorham, Zachariah Seymour, Asa
Stanley, P. P. Bates, and William H. Adams. Subscriptions were
liberal at the first, and ultimately reached about $50,000, when the
following persons were elected directors of the company: Evan Johns,
H. B. Gibson, Israel Chapin, Asa Stanley, John C. Spencer, Mark H.
Sibley, Robert Pomeroy, and H. M. Mead. At this stage for some
reason the project was abandoned. It is propable that the extensive
shipping facilities supplied by the Erie Canal led to the conclusion that
the lateral canal would not prove a paying investment.
The next event of importance in chronological order, with which we
are interested, was the erection of Wayne county on the 11th of April,
L823. (For act of Legislature creating the county see Session Laws,
1823). The new county, with Ontario, Seneca and Yates, was made
to constitute the Twenty-sixth Congressional District, and with Cay-
uga, Onondaga, Ontario, Seneca and Yates, constitute the Seventh
Senatorial District. By subsequent enactments changes were made in
these districts as follows: By act of June 29, 1832, Wayne and Seneca
counties became the Twenty-fifth Congressional District; by act of Sep-
tember 6, 1842, the same counties were made the Twenty-seventh
District; act of July 19, 1851, Cayuga and Wayne were made the
Twenty-fifth District; act of April 23, 1862, Wayne, Cayuga and Sen-
eca were made the Twenty-fourth District. In 1836 Cortland county
was added to those above named as constituting the Seventh Senatorial
District. (Lists of the various officials of the county will be given in
their proper plaee on a later page).
Closely following the formation of the county the various courts
were established, as described in a later chapter; civil officers were
elected, and all the machinery of county government was soon working
harmoniously. A kind of local enthusiasm pervaded the inhabitants
of the county, as would naturally follow their separation from the
larger and more widely-diffused population of Ontario county, and
various public improvements were inaugurated to closely precede the
oncoming of the first railroad — and Mormonism.
A legislative act of February 15, 1825, divided the town of Lyons
and erected Arcadia; and on April 18, of the same year, the town of
Williamson was divided and the town of Winchester (now Marion)
10
74 LANDMARKS OF
erected. February 25, 18*20, the towns of Butler and Rose were erected
from Wolcott; and April 20, 1820, Walworth was erected from Ontario.
An attempt, which was not very successful, was made under legis-
lative sanction of April, 1825, to drain Crusoe Lake, in the town of
Savannah. Andrew Chapin, David Arne, jr., and Merritt Candee were
appointed commissioners to direct the work, which was to consist of
cutting ditches to the channel of " the stream which runs to Lake On-
tario through the town of Wolcott, on which the furnaces in Wolcott
are situated."
On the 20th of April, 1825, William Patrick, John G. Gillespie, and
Paul Reeves were named by the Legislature as commissioners to lay
out a road from Lyons to the Ridge road "near the dwelling of P.
Reeves, in the western part of Williamson ;" and in April, 1826, a road
was authorized from Main street in Canandaigna to Palmyra, the com-
missioners being Nathan Barlow, of Canandaigua; Stimson Harvey,
of Farmington ; and Thomas Rogers, of Palmyra.
Meanwhile evidences of prosperity were visible in all directions.
The several villages of the county were growing, though their relative
status and prospects were soon to be changed by the railroads; schools
and churches multiplied in number and improved in character and in-
fluence; banks were established ; additional newspapers were founded,
and other institutions indicating healthful growth came into being.
What was called the Palmyra High School was incorporated in March,
1820, by James White, Ovid Lord, Henry Jessup, and others. It was
a stock organization with capital of $12,000. This school absorbed the
house and lot of district number one. The Wayne Count}' Bank, at
Palmyra, was chartered April 30, 1820, and the Bank of Lyons was in-
corporated May 14, 1836. Miller's Bank was established in Clyde in
1837. These financial institutions, as well as the people at large, and
particularly tradesmen, were destined to suffer considerably from the
financial stringency and succeeding revulsion which swept over the
country in 1836-8; but Wayne county was, as it is at present, largely
agricultural, and hence felt the effects of the stringency less severely
than many other localities.
The first railroad in the State of New York was built between Albany
and Schenectady by the Mohawk and Hudson River Railroad Company,
and was finished in 1831 : its length was sixteen miles. The cars were
at first drawn by horses, but soon after the completion of the road a
steam locomotive was brought from England and the first steam rail-
WAYNE COUNTY. 15
road passenger train in America was run over the road. In spite of
the very many objectionable features of this pioneer railroad and its
equipment, it was clear to sagacious men that a rival of the canal was
at hand. The Auburn and Rochester Railroad was chartered in 1836,
but the construction was not commenced until 1838. The first time
table for this road was made public September 8, 1840, and trains were
run on the 10th over a part of the line. The work of construction was
energetically continued and on July 5, 1841, an excursion train passed
over the road between Rochester and Seneca Falls. In November, of
that year trains were running between Rochester and Albany.
As yet no railroad passed through Wayne county ; but the immediate
success of the existing lines led to the early agitation of the subject of
building many others. As early as 1836 a meeting was held in Lyons
to consider the project of constructing a road that should extend east-
ward from Rochester and pass through Palmyra, Lyons, Clyde, etc.,
to Syracuse. While it was several years before further steps were
taken in this direction, it was a foregone conclusion that sooner or later
the rich territory now traversed by the direct road, as it is termed,
between Rochester and Syracuse would be favored with railroad com-
munication. A company was finally organized under the corporate
name of the Rochester and Syracuse Direct Railroad Company and the
road was rapidly pushed to completion. This company with the
Auburn and Syracuse, and the Auburn and Rochester companies were
consolidated in 1850 as the Rochester and Syracuse Railroad Company.
The first regular passenger train passed over the road on May 30, 1853.
The improvement was welcomed in general rejoicing in the several vil-
lages of Wayne county and elsewhere. An act of Legislature passed April
2, 1853. authorized the consolidation of several companies then existing,
as follows: Albany and Schenectady, Syracuse and Utica direct, Sche-
nectady and Troy, Utica and Schenectady, Mohawk Valley, Syracuse
and Utica, Rochester and Syracuse, Rochester, Lockport and Niagara
Falls, Buffalo and Rochester, and Buffalo and Lockport. This consoli-
dated company took the name of the New York Central Railroad
Company, which in later years absorbed various other lines and added
"Hudson River" to its title. The consolidation described went into
effect on the 17th of May, 1853. The combined capital of the company
was $23,085,600. This road was laid with a double track in 1849 and
with two additional tracks during the seventies. It was the first railroad
in the world having four tracks and is in other respects one of the
most extensive and best managed railroad in the United States.
76
LANDMARKS OF
The Sodus Point and Southern Railroad was projected during the
fall of 1851, by a company bearing- that title, and was to run directly
through Wayne county in a general northern and southern direction,
from Newark to Sodus Bay. A general survey was made, the right of
way was secured without much difficulty and the work of construction
was begun. The company became embarrassed for funds and work was
suspended in L854, leaving a long line of grading, which was afterwards
utilized and is now a part of the road.
The Lake Ontario Shore Railroad, as it was originally termed,
traverses the northern tier of towns of Wayne county and has been of
great utility. Its termini are Oswego and Lewiston. The company
for its construction was organized in Oswego March 17, L868, and
Gerrit Smith was elected president; Oliver P. Scoville, vice-president;
and Abraham P. Grant, treasurer. De Witt Parshail, of Lyons, was a
member of the first board of directors. Work was begun at Red Creek
August 23, 1871, amid the firing of cannon and the cheers of a mul-
titude of people. The road was finished in L876. It finally passed
under control of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad Com-
pany, and with the other lines operated by that company, was absorbed
by the great New York Central and Hudson River system.
The New York, West Shore and Buffalo Railroad was completed
from New York to Buffalo and opened on January 1, 1884; but about
two years later it was leased by the New York Central. It never espe-
cially affected Wayne county, running as it docs, nearly parallel with
the Central.
Tine Mormon IIii.i — From an Old Print.
Most readers of this work, it may be presumed, arc familiar with the
general history of Mormonism; but from the fact that its originator
WAYNE COUNTY. 77
lived within the limits of what is now Wayne county, and that his early
operations were conducted in or near Palmyra village, it seems proper
that it shall receive brief mention in these pages, for future reference,
if for no other reason. It will also preserve for reference by future
generations, facts regarding the beginning of what became a stupend-
ous religious movement, which might otherwise be lost. For this pur-
pose we can do no better than condense from the writing of the late O.
Turner in his history of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase (1851):
"Joseph Smith, the father of the prophet, Joseph Smith, jr., was
from the Merrimack River, N. H. He first settled in or near Palmyra
village, but as early as 1819 was the occupant of some new land on
'Stafford street,' in the town of Manchester near the line of Palmyra.
'Mormon Hill' is near the plank road about half way between the vil-
lages of Palmyra and Manchester. The elder Smith had been a Uni-
versalist, and subsequently a Methodist; was a good deal of asmatterer
in scriptural knowledge; but the seed of revelation was sown on weak
ground; he was a great babbler, credulous, not especially industrious,
a money-digger, prone to the marvellous ; and withal a little given to
difficulties with neighbors and petty law suits. Not a very propitious
account of the father of a prophet — the founder of a state ; but there
was ' a woman in the case. ' Mrs. Smith was a woman of strong,
uncultivated intellect; artful and cunning; imbued with an illy-regu-
lated religious enthusiasm. The incipient hints, the first givings-out
that a prophet was to spring from her humble household, came from
her; and when matters were maturing for denouement, she gave out
that such and such ones — always fixing upon those who had both
money and credulity — were to be the instruments in some great work
of revelation. The old man was rather her faithful co-worker, or ex-
ecutive exponent. Their son, Alva, was originally intended or desig-
nated by fireside consultations and solemn and mysterious outdoor
hints, as the forthcoming prophet. The mother and father said he was
the chosen one; but Alva, however spiritual he might have been, had
a carnal appetite; eat too many green turnips, sickened and died.
Thus the world lost a prophet and Mormonism a leader; the designs
impiously and wickedly attributed to providence, defeated; and all in
consequence of a surfeit of raw turnips. Who will talk of the cackling
geese of Rome, or any other small and innocent causes of mighty
events, after this? The mantle of the prophet which Mr. and Mrs.
Joseph Smith and one Oliver Cowdery had wove of themselves —
every thread of it — -fell upon the next eldest son, Joseph Smith, jr.
78 LANDMARKS OP
"A most unpromising recipient of such a trust was this same Joseph
Smith, jr., afterwards, 'Joe Smith.' He was lounging, idle (not to
say vicious) ; and possessed of less than ordinary intellect. The author's
own recollections of him are distinct ones. He used to come into the
village of Palmyra with little jags of wood from his backwoods home;
sometimes patronizing a village grocery too freely; sometimes find an
odd job to do about the store of Seymour Scovell; and once a week he
would stroll into the office of the old Palmyra Register for his father's
paper. How impious, in us young 'dare-devils' to once and awhile
blacken the face of the then meddling, inquisitive lounger — but after-
wards prophet, with the old-fashioned ink balls when he used to put
himself in the way of the old-fashioned Ramage press! The editor of
the Cultivator at Albany — esteemed as he may justly consider himself
for his subsequent enterprise and usefulness, may think of it with con-
trition and repentance, that he once helped to thus disfigure the face
of a prophet, and remotely the founder of a state.
" But Joseph had a little ambition; and some very laudable aspira-
tions; the mother's intellect occasionally shone out in him feebly,
especially when he used to help us solve some portentous question of
moral or political ethics in our juvenile debating club, which we moved
down to the old red school-house on Durfee street, to get rid of the an-
noyance of critics that used to drop in on us in the village; and subse-
quently, after catching a spark of Methodism in the camp meeting,
away down in the woods on the Vienna road, he was a very passable
exhorter in evening meetings.
" Legends of hidden treasure had long designated Mormon Hill as the
depository. Old Joseph had dug there, and young Joseph had not only
heard his father and mother relate the marvellous tales of buried
wealth, but had accompanied his father in the midnight delvings and
incantations of the spirits that guarded it.
"If a buried revelation was to be exhumed, how natural it was that
the Smith family, with their credulity, and their assumed presentiment
that a prophet was to come from their household, should be connected
with it; and that Mormon Hill was the place where it would be found.
"It is believed by those who are best acquainted with the Smith
family, and most conversant with the old Gold 15ible movement, that
there is no foundation for the statement that their original manuscript
was written by a Mr. Spaulding, of Ohio. A supplement to the Gold
Bible, 'The 'Book of Commandments,' in all probability was written by
WAYNE COUNTY. 79
Rio-don, and lie may have been aided by Spatilding's manuscripts; but
the book itself is, without doubt, a production of the Smith family,
aided by Oliver Cowdery, who was a school teacher on Stafford street,
an intimate of the Smith family, and identified with the whole matter.
The production, as all will conclude who have read it, or even given it
a cursory review, is not that of an educated man or woman. The
bungling attempt to counterfeit the style of the Scriptures ; the inter-
mixture of modern phraseology; the ignorance of chronology and
geography; its utter crudeness and baldness, as a whole, stamp its
character, and clearly exhibit its vulgar origin. It is a strange medley
of scripture, romance and bad composition.
" The primitive designs of Mrs. Smith, her husband, Joe and Cow-
dery, was money making; blended with which, perhaps, was a desire
for notoriety, to be obtained by a cheat and a fraud. The idea of being
the founders of a new sect was an after-thought, in which they were
aided by others.
"The projectors of the humbug, being destitute of means for carry-
ing out their plans, a victim was selected to obviate that difficulty.
Martin Harris was a farmer of Palmyra, the owner of a good farm,
and an honest, worthy citizen ; but especially given to religious enthu-
siasm, new creeds, the more extravagant the better; a monomaniac, in
fact. Joseph Smith, upon whom the mantle of prophecy had fallen
after the sad fate of Alvah, began to make demonstrations. He in-
formed Harris of the great discovery, and that it had been revealed to
him that he (Harris) was_a chosen instrument to aid in a great work of
surprising the world with a new revelation. They had hit upon the
right man. He mortgaged his fine farm to pay for printing the book,
assumed a grave, mysterious, and unearthly deportment, and made
here and there among his acquaintances solemn enunciations of the
great event that was transpiring. His version of the discovery, as
communicated to him by the prophet Joseph himself, is well remem-
bered by several respectable citizens of Palmyra, to whom he made
earty disclosures. It was in substance as follows:
"The prophet Joseph, was directed by an angel where to find, by ex-
cavation, at the place afterwards called Mormon Hill, the gold plates;
and was compelled by the angel, much against his will, to be the in-
terpreter of the sacred record they contained, and publish it to the
world. That the plates contained a record of the ancient inhabitants
of this country, 'engraved by Mormon the son of Nephi.' That on the
80 LANDMARKS OF
top of the box containing the plates, 'a pair of large spectacles were
found, the stones or glass set in which were opaque to all but the
prophet;' that 'these belonged to Mormon, the engraver of the plates,
and without them the plates could not be read.' Harris assumed that
himself and Cowdery were the chosen amanuenses, and that the prophet
Joseph, curtained from the world and them, with his spectacles, read
from the gold plates what they committed to paper. Harris exhibited
to an informant of the author the manuscript of the title page. On it
were drawn rudely and bunglingly, concentric circles, between, above
and below which were clear characters, with little resemblance to let-
ters. Apparently a miserable imitation of hieroglyphics the writer may
have somewhere seen. To guard against profane curiosity, the prophet
had given out that no one but himself, not even his chosen co-opera-
tors, must be permitted to see them, on pain of instant death. Harris
had never seen the plates, but the glowing accounts of their massive
richness excited other than spriritual hopes, and he upon one occasion
got a village silversmith to help him estimate their value; taking as a
basis, the prophet's account of their dimensions. It was a blending of
the spiritual and utilitarian, that threw a shadow of doubt on Martin's
sincerity. This, and some anticipations he indulged in, as to the profits
that would arise from the sale of the Gold Bible, made it then, as it is
now, a mooted question, whether he was altogether a dupe.
" The wife of Harris was a rank infidel and heretic, touching the
whole thing; and decidedly opposed to her husband's participation in
it. With sacrilegious hands she seized over a hundred of the manu-
script pages of the New Revelation and burned or secreted them. It
was agreed by the Smith family, Cowdery and Harris, not to transcribe
these again, but to let so much of the New Revelation drop out, as the
' evil spirit would get up a story that the second translation did not agree
with the first.' A very ingenious method, surely, of guarding against
the possibility that Mrs. Harris had preserved the manuscript with
which they might be confronted should they attempt an imitation of
their own miserable patchwork. The prophet did not get his lesson
well upon the start, or the household of imposters were in the fault.
After he had told his story, in his absence, the rest of the family made
a new version of it to one of their neighbors They showed him such
a pebble as may any day be picked up on the shore of Lake ( )ntario —
the common hornblende — carefully wrapped in cotton and kept in a
mysterious box. They said it was by looking at this stone, in a hat,
WAYNE COUNTY. 81
the light excluded, that Joseph discovered the plates. This it will be
observed, differs materially from Joseph's story of the angel. It was
the stone the Smiths had used in money digging and in some pretended
discoveries of stolen property.
" Long before the Gold Bible demonstration, the Smith family had
with some sinister object in view, whispered another fraud in the ears
of the credulous. They pretended that in digging for money, at Mor-
mon Hill, they came across 'a chest, three feet by two in size, covered
with a dark-colored stone. In the center of the stone was a white spot
about the size of a sixpence. Enlarging, the spot increased to the size
of a 24-pound shot, and then exploded with a terrible noise. The chest
vanished and all was utter darkness.'
" It may be safely presumed that in no other instance have prophets
and the chosen and designated of angels been quite as calculating and
worldly as were those of Stafford street, Mormon Hill and Palmyra.
The only business contract — veritable instrument in writing, that was
ever executed by spiritual agents, has been preserved, and should be
among the archives of the new State of Utah. It is signed by the
Prophet Joseph himself and witnessed by Oliver Cowdery, and secures
to Martin Harris one-half of the proceeds of the sale of the Gold Bible
until he was fully reimbursed in the sum of $2,500, the cost of printing.
" The after-thought that has been alluded to: the enlarging of orig-
inal intentions — was at the suggestion of Sidney Rigdon, of Ohio, who
made his appearance and blended himself with the poorly-devised
scheme of imposture about the time the book was issued from the
press. He unworthily bore the title of a Baptist elder, but had by
some previous freak, if the author is rightly informed, forfeited his
standing with that respectable denomination. Designing, ambitious,
and dishonest, under the semblance of sanctity and assumed spiritual-
ity, he was just the man for the uses of the Smith household and their
half-dupe and half-designing abettors; and they were just the fit in-
struments he desired. He became at once the Hamlet, or more appro-
priately perhaps, the maw-worm of the play.
" Under the auspices of Rigdon a new sect, the Mormons, was pro-
jected, prophecies fell thick and fast from the lips of Joseph; old Mrs.
Smith assumed all the airs of a mother of a prophet; that particular
family of Smiths were singled out and became exalted above all their
legion of namesakes. The bald, clumsy cheat found here and there an
enthusiast, a monomaniac, or a knave, in and around its primitive
11
82 LANDMARKS OF
locality, to help it upon its start; and soon, like another scheme of im-
posture (that had a little dignity and plausibility in it), it had its hegira
or flight to Kirtland; then to Nauvoo; then to a short resting' place in
Missouri, and then on over the Rocky Mountains to Salt Lake City.
Banks, printing offices, temples, cities, and finally a State have arisen
under its auspices. Converts have multiplied to tens of thousands;
while its illegal and disgusting practice of polygamy called down upon
it the detestation of all civilized people and the wrath and interference
of the general government."
It is a somewhat remarkable coincidence that another pseudo-religious
movement, the consecmences of which were ultimately scarcely less mo-
mentous than those of Mormonism, should have had its rise in Wayne
county. Reference is made to the very beginning of what is now
known throughout the world by the general name of spiritualism. Like
Mormonism, this other new doctrine had its origin in deception. It
began in the little hamlet of Hydeville in the town of Arcadia, where
Tohn Fox and his family settled. Mr. Fox bore a good reputation and
carried on his trade of blacksmithing. On the night of March 31,
1849, the two daughters of Mr. Fox, Margaret and Catharine, and their
cousin, Elizabeth Fish, claimed to have heard a mysterious rapping
which greatly frightened them. A simple system of brief communi-
cation was devised, probably by the girls and their mother, the latter
being possibly deceived by her daughters, and the sounds were attrib-
uted to spirits from another world, Among the communications said
to have been received through the rappings, was one to the effect that
a man named John Bell had killed a peddler and buried the body in his
cellar. This created much excitement, the news spread, and digging
was begun to find the remains of the murdered man. The little place
was visited by hundreds of people from the near by villages. The
diggers struck a vein of flowing water, which prevented further inves-
tigation in that line. As the mysterious rappings continued, thousands
of people visited the Fox home, some of whom believed in the super-
natural origin of the sounds, while others ridiculed the whole thing.
It was not long before a financial return became a part of the plans of
the daughters, and to reach a larger audience they removed to Roches-
ter and appeared in public, their operations becoming widely known as
the " Rochester Rappings. " The alleged intercourse with disembod-
ied spirits led to the evolution of so-called " mediums" who professed
to be especially adapted for the reception of the news from the other
WAYNE COUNTY. 83
world. From the simple rappings of the Fox 'sisters, was developed
by others still more bold in their deceptions, the appearance of ap-
paritions, the sound of voices, and various other demonstrations. The
mania spread in its later varied phases until ultimately it reached over
the civilized world. Late in the life of the Fox sisters they claimed to
explain the mystery of the Tappings, stating that they were produced
by certain movements of some of their joint bones, which could be
moved without detection.
CHAPTER VII.
End of the Reign of Peace — The First Gun — Military Enthusiasm — Wayne Coun-
ty— The President's First Proclamation — The First Company Recruited in Wajne
Count}' — Sketches of the Various other Wayne County Organizations.
The long reign of prosperous peace in America was rudely and ruth-
lessly closed when citizens of one of the Southern, States fired the first
hostile gun upon Fort Sumter in 1861. Almost before the echoes of
that cannonade had died away, a tide of patriotic enthusiasm and indig-
nation swept over the entire North, and the call to arms found an echo
in every loyal heart, while thousands, young and old, rich and poor,
native and alien, sprang forward to offer their services and their lives
at the altar of their country.
The history of the civil war has been written and rewritten, and al-
most every intelligent citizen has become familiar with the story of the
great contest. Were this not true, it would be manifestly impossible
to follow in detail the various campaigns in which Wayne county sol-
diers honorably shared, or to trace in detail the career of those brave
officers and privates who fell on the battlefield. Such records are for
the general historian who has ample space at his command. The mus-
ter rolls of the State, too, that have been deposited in every county
clerk's office, are accessible to all and enable the reader to see at a glance
the noble part performed by the soldiers in the great struggle for the
maintenance of the Union. As a rule the several calls of the president
for volunteers were freely met, and though a draft was held in the
county on two occasions, it did not reach all of the towns, and its re-
quirements were promptly complied with.
84 LANDMARKS OF
Prior to the actual outbreak of the Rebellion, the president issued a
proclamation calling forth "the militia of this State (as well as of the
other Northern States), to the aggregate number of 75,000, in order to
suppress combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed."
Following this and the first gun of the great conflict, the principal vil-
lages of this county became at once centers of military activity and en-
thusiasm.
( )n Monday, April 15, 1861, the State Legislature passed a bill ap-
propriating $3,000,000 and providing for the enrollment of 30,000 men
to be subject to call in aid of the general government. The volunteers
under this call were to enlist in the State service for two years and be
subject at any time to transfer into the Federal service. This measure
caused intense excitement throughout the State, and the villages of
Wayne county were ablaze with enthusiasm.
The following brief sketches of the complete organizations that left
Wayne county for the Southern battlefields will give a general glimpse
of their service.
Recruiting began here promptly after the first call for volunteers was
issued, and before the close of May, 1861, Company I, which joined the
17th Regiment, was chiefly raised in Newark and its immediate vicinity.
Andrew Wilson was captain and Isaac M. Lusk, first lieutenant. In
this early regiment were a considerable number of recruits outside of
Company I. The latter company joined the regiment in New York
city and was there mustered in for two years, under command of Col-
onel Lansing. The first engagement in which the 17th took part was
at Hanover Court House. A part of the command shared in the Seven
Days battle, and later the regiment was in the Second battle of Bull
Run, where Company I suffered the loss of Captain Wilson. In the
battle of Antietam this regiment was actively engaged and again en
December 13, 1861, at Fredericksburg. The regiment was mustered
out June 2, 1863.
Company B of the 27th Regiment was chiefly recruited in Lyons in
1861. The regiment was organized at Elmira in May of that year, un-
der command of Col. W. H. Slocum, of Syracuse, who subsequently
attained the highest military honors. The Lyons company was com-
manded by Capt. Alexander D. Adams, and left Lyons May 10. There
were also many other volunteers from Wayne county in this regiment,
outside of Company B. The 27th was mustered into the United States
service May 2'.t, 1861, and proceeded to Washington. The principal
WAYNE COUNTY. 85
engagements in which it took part were at Bull Run (where Colonel
Slocuni was wounded), Fairfax, West Point, Mechanicsville, Gaines's
Mills (where the Lyons company lost one killed and twenty-three
wounded), Manassas, Crampton Gap (in 18G2), and Fredericksburg in
L863. The regiment was conspicuous for brave and gallant conduct
before the enemy.
The 33d Regiment, recruited chiefly in Rochester in 1861, contained
one company (B) from Wayne county, most of whom were from Pal-
myra. This organization became considerably depleted, and in Sep-
tember, 1861, received 240 recruits. The regiment was commanded by
Col. Robert F. Taylor, of Rochester, and left Elmira for Washington
July 8, 1861. It was under fire at Yorktown in April, 1861, for fifty-
four hours, and soon afterwards fought at Williamsburg. In the fight
at Mechanicsville in May, 1862, the regiment participated, and in its
movements reached a point within six miles of Richmond. Other en-
gagements in which the 33d shared were Malvern Hill, Second Bull
Run, Antietam (where fifty were killed and wounded in this regiment).
The recruits before mentioned, many of whom were from Wayne county,
joined the regiment October 29, 1862. Then followed the battles of
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville (in 1863), and and the charge on Fred-
ericksburg Heights (May 5, 1863.) The regiment returned to Elmira
May 12, 1863, and was mustered out.
The 44th Regiment (known as the People's Ellsworth Regiment),
which was designed to be recruited in all the counties of this State, re-
ceived its proportionate number from Wayne, eight of whom were from
Sodus. The regiment was organized in the fall of 1861 and served to
October 11, 1864. Its principal battle was Gettysburg, July 3, 1863.
Towards the close of the year 1861 an attempt was made, to raise a
full regiment in Wayne county ; but when about 400 men had been re-
cruited, an order was given for consolidation, and the Wayne volunteers
were organized into three companies and united with seven other com-
panies from Franklin county to form the 98th Regiment. William Dut-
ton, a Wayne county graduate of West Point, was made colonel of the
regiment. The Wayne county men had remained in Camp Rathbone,
at Lyons, until February, 1862 ; the three companies were lettered F,
I, and K. They were respectively commanded by Captains Kreutzer,
principal of the Lyons Union School, Birdsall, a Lyons merchant, and
Wakely. Dr. William G. David, a leading physician of the county,
went out as surgeon. The regiment left Lyons February 21, 1862. In
86 LANDMARKS OF
the movement upon Yorktown in the spring- of 1862 the regiment par-
ticipated, and afterwards in the bloody engagement at Fair Oaks. This
was the last important battle in which the 98th participated down to
February, L864, when the men re-enlisted as veterans and went home
on furlough. In April of that year they were again at Yorktown, and
they soon became known as one of the best disciplined and equipped or-
ganizations in " Baldy " Smith's 18th Corps. In the operations of the
Army of the Potomac before Richmond in the summer of 1804, the reg-
iment was in active participation, fought in the battle of Cold Harbor,
June 1-4, where heavy loss was sustained. Within twelve days at this
period the 98th lost 121 killed and wounded. The regiment was then
sent to take part in the siege of Petersburg, and on June 21 entered the
trenches and continued to share in the operations in that vicinity until
about August 29. In the capture of Fort Harrison, September 29, the
regiment lost sixty men in killed and wounded, and on October 27 at
Fair Oaks it bore an honorable part in the second engagement on that
field. The 98th enjoyed comparative quiet from this time until the
evacuation of Richmond, and on the 3d of April, 1865, was among the
first to enter the Confederate capital. August 31 the muster-out order
came and the men returned to their homes.
The 111th Regiment, Col. Jesse Segoine, was recruited in the sum-
mer of 1862, in Wayne and Cayuga counties, to serve three years. Five
companies, A, B, C, D, and E, were from this count)*. The regiment
left Auburn for Harper's Ferry August 2, on which day they were
surrendered by General Miles to Stonewall Jackson, and were paroled
and sent to Chicago, and remained till December and were then trans-
ferred. After this regiment was transferred and camped near Wash-
ington, Col. vSegoine resigned, and Lieut. -Col. C. D. MacDougall was
appointed colonel. A. P. Seely succeeded Colonel MacDougall, who
was promoted to brevet brigadier general. During its term of service
the 111th participated in engagements at Harper's Ferry on September
15, 1862, and camped near Washington during the succeeding winter;
B and C companies were detached, and the balance of the regiment
was in the battles at Gettysburg (where 120 were killed and wounded);
at Bristow Station, October 14; Blackburn's Ford, October 15-17:
Mine Run, November \!8-30, and Morton's Ford, February 6, I Kill.
In the Wilderness, early in May the 111th shared bravely in three
days of almost continuous lighting, losing forty-four killed, 126 wound-
ed, and twenty missing — 190 out of 386 effective men. At Po River,
WAYNE COUNTY. 87
May 10-1-2, Spottsylvania, May 13, 14, 18; North Anna. May 23-4;
Tolopotomy, May 31 and June 1, and in several minor engagements
between June 3 and 1G, the regiment was conspicuous for its heroic
deeds. On June 21 the 111th participated in the movement upon the
Jerusalem Pland Road; fought at Deep Bottom July 26-8, and again
August 12-14; at Reams's Station, August 25; in garrison at Fort
Hell was long under constant fire; and March 25, 18G5, repulsed a fierce
attack upon their lines. At Gravelly Run, March 30 and 31, the regi-
ment shared in the fierce battle and then took up the pursuit of the fly-
ing Lee, which ended only at Appomattox. The regiment returned
home after the consummation of the great conflict, and was discharged
June 6, 1865.
The 138th Regiment was locally known as the Second Wayne and
Cayuga, and was recruited immediately succeeding the 111th, in Au-
gust, 1862. It was commanded by Colonel Joseph Welling, of Wayne;
lieutenant colonel, Wm. H. Seward, of Cayuga; major, Edward P. Taft,
of Wayne; surgeon, Theodore Dimon, of Cayuga; quartermaster, Henry
P. Knowles, of Wayne; adjutant, William R. Wasson, of Cayuga; first
assistant-surgeon, Samuel A. Sabin, of Wayne ; second assistant-surgeon
Byron De Witt, Cayuga; chaplain, Warham Mudge, Wayne; sergeant-
major, Lyman Comstock, Cayuga. Six of the ten companies were
raised in Wayne county and were lettered A, B, D, G, H, and K. The
regiment left camp September 12, and proceeded to Albany and thence
to Washington, going into camp on Arlington Heights. There the or-
ganization was changed to the 9th Artillery and placed in charge of
forts near Georgetown. In the spring of 1864 the artillery shared in
the fighting at the Wilderness, Spottsylvania and North Anna. At the
beginning of June the command, as part of Burnside's 9th Corps, saw
active service at Cold Harbor. The regiment was engaged in skirmish
or battle between June 1st and 9th and lost during that time nine killed
and forty-two wounded. Other engagements in which the 9th partici-
pated were at Monocacy Junction July 9, losing heavily; on August 7
four companies were detached for service in the Washington defenses,
the other eight joining the 6th Corps and going into Western Virginia,
where, under Sheridan, in the fall of 1864, they participated in the
brilliant operations of that great commander. On the 25th of March,
1865, the 9th was posted at the extreme front before Petersburg, took
part in the recapture of Fort Steadman; was engaged April 2, and again
on the 6th, at Sailor's Creek. The greater part of the regiment was
mustered out in April, 1865.
88 LANDMARKS OF
What became the 160th Regiment, and the third from Wayne and
Cayuga counties, was recruited from the last of August, 1802, through
September. The first company (B) was raised in Palmyra and went
into the barracks August 29. The other three Wayne companies were
A from Newark; C, from Lyons; and D, from Marion. The regiment
went out under command of Colonel Dwight, left Auburn November 18
and was mustered into the United States service at New York on the
21st. Embarked on a transport, the regiment then constituted a part
of General Banks's celebrated expedition, and proceeded to Ship Island
at the mouth of the Mississippi, reaching there December 14. In the
extended operations to the southward of New Orleans, having the cap-
ture of that city as their main object, in January, February, March and
April, the IGOth took part, while attached to Weitzel's Brigade. While
this duty was arduous, the losses were small. In April the regiment
advanced with the brigade to Opelousas, and thence by a rapid three
davs' march to Alexandria. On the 24th of May Weitzel's Brigade
reached Simmsburg, at the head of the Atchafalaya River, whence it
went on transports to St. Francisville, fourteen miles by land above Port
Hudson. By easy marches the rear of Port Hudson was reached on the
25th of May. Here a part of the regiment shared in the attack on Port
Hudson, and on the 27th Company B lost one man killed and the regi-
ment about twenty wounded. In the succeeding charge of June 14
Richard Jones was killed and thirty-five wounded. Following the sur-
render of Vicksburg, on the 7th of July, Port Hudson did likewise on
the 8th, and on the 9th Weitzel's Brigade was the first to enter the
works. At evening the regiment embarked and the next day landed
at Donaldsonville, and on August I, proceeded to New Thibedeaux, and
went into camp. On Thursday, January 7, 1864, the regiment with the
1 9th Corps started for Franklin. In March Weitzel's Brigade was broken
up and the IGOth was brigaded with three Maine and one Pennsylvania
regiments. The next movement of importance in which the 160th
shared was the Red River expedition under General Banks. On this
service the IGOth found severe fighting several days and after an engage-
ment on the Dth of March, Lieutenant Colonel Van Petten was called
to headquarters to receive for his regiment the thanksof Generals Banks,
Emory, and McMullen. It was said that the heroism of the 160th
turned the tide of the day's battle. Eight of the regiment were killed,
among them two captains; thirty-seven were wounded and fourteen
missing. The 19th Corps was now ordered north to form a part of
WAYNE COUNTY. 89
Sheridan's army in the Shenandoah Valley. In the active operations
in that region this regiment performed its allotted share. At the battle
of Winchester, September 19, the 160th behaved with great gallantry,
and saw the hardest fighting in which the regiment had participated.
The loss was about twenty killed and fifty wounded. After the rebels
were driven out of the valley the regiment was sent first to Savannah,
Ga., and then to Hawkinsville, whence it proceeded to Elmira and was
there mustered out in November, 1865. The number of men mustered
out then was about 240, under commond of Lieut. Col. H. B. Under-
bill.
The First Regiment of Veteran Cavalry contained a considerable
number of Wayne county men, who were chiefly from Palmyra. The
regiment was composed of several bodies of men, many of whom were
veterans, that had been- recruited in the summer and fall of 1863, and
was mustered in on the 24th of October. The regiment was sent into
Virginia over ground that was familiar to many of the veterans. It is
almost impossible to follow in detail the operations of a body of cavalry.
In the Valley of the Shenandoah, in the spring and summer of 1864,
the regiment was constantly in active duty and acquired distinction for
its gallantry. On June 1 the regiment, with the 28th Ohio Infantry,
was sent across the mountains in charge of 1,200 prisoners. The dis-
tance to Beverly, 110 miles, was made in four days. During the re-
mainder of the summer the Veteran Cavalry was in the saddle the larger
part of the time, and in October was placed in guard of the salt works
of Kanawha, in Camp Piatt, Western Virginia. On the 8th of January,
1865, the regiment went into camp at Gauley Bridge, at the headwaters
of the Kanawha. After two or three other changes in location the reg-
iment returned home about the last of July and was mustered out.
The Eighth Regiment New York Cavalry was organized for three
years' service, in Rochester, in the fall of 1861, was sent to Washington
and into Camp Selden. Though having enlisted to serve as cavalry,
the men were not mounted for nearly a year. Meanwhile the regiment
was posted for a time along the Potomac and Winchester Railroad. On
the morning of May 24, 1862, four companies were ordered to Winches-
ter and participated in fighting at that point. Colonel Samuel J. Crooks
resigned in February, and the command was given to Benjamin F. Davis,
of the Regular Army, his commission bearing date of July 7. On the
8th the regiment was stationed at the Relay House, and in a short time
12
90 LANDMARKS OF
the efficient commander had his men well disciplined, mounted and the
regiment recruited up to full number.
On the 11th of September the 8th was surrounded by Jackson's force
at Harper's Ferry. When it was seen the place could not be held, Colo-
nel Davis asked and was refused permission to break through the ene-
my's lines. He, however, called his officers together on the night of
the 14th, expressed his determination, and about midnight led his com-
mand across the pontoon bridge, dashed through the rebel army, cap-
tured Lee's ammunition train, which was on its way to Antietam, and
arrived at Greenfield at noon of the 15th, there finding McClellan'sarmy
marching towards Antietam. After sharing in the fighting of the 17th,
the 8th pursued and harassed the rear of the retreating army, and after
a short rest at Hagerstown, pursued the rebels up the Shenandoah to-
wards the Rappahannock. Other minor engagements of the remainder
of the year in which the 8th shared were at Snicker's Gap, Philemont,
Union, Upperville, Barber's Cross Roads, and Amosville. The regi-
ment went into camp at Belle Plain. A summary of the other principal
conflicts in which this regiment took part were at Freeman's Ford, April
14, 1863; Rapidan Bridge, May 4; at Chancellorsville, Beverly Ford,
Middleburg, Gettysburg (on which field it is said that the 8th was the
first to fire a gun), at Culpepper, Raccoon Ford, and at Germania Ford,
October 10; Stevensburg, October 11; Brandy Plains, October 13; Oak
Hill, October 15; Belton Station, October 26; Muddy Run, November
8; Locust Grove, November 27; at Barnett's Ford, February 6, 1864
(after wintering at Culpepper Court House); Germania Ford, May 5;
White Oak Swamp, June 13; Malvern Hill, June 15; Nottoway Court
House, June 23; Roanoke Station, June 25; Stony Creek, June 28;
Winchester, August 16; Kearneysville, August 25; Occoquan Creek,
vSeptember 19 ; Front Royal, September 21; Milford, September 23;
Fisher's Hill, September 30; Jones's Brook, October 9; Winchester,
November 12, after having gone into winter quarters; Lacy Springs,
December 31; Waynesboro, March 2, 1865, where the Eighth displayed
the most daring gallantry. Soon after this Major Compson was detailed
by General Sheridan as a bearer of dispatches to the secretary of war,
taking with him seventeen captured battle flags, ten of which had been
taken by the Eighth. In the operations in front of Petersburg in the
spring of 1865, which practically closed the war, this regiment was con-
stantly active. After the surrender at Appomattox the 8th returned to
Petersburg and thence went to Washington and took part in the grand
WAYNE COUNTY. 91
review, May 22. It reached Rochester June 28, with 190 of the 940
men who went away in 1861. The battle flag bore the. name of sixty-
four actions. Among the slain of the regiment were one colonel, eleven
captains, two lieutenants, and one color-bearer. The regiment was
disbanded Jnly 3.
The 22d Regiment of Cavalry was organized at Rochester, contained
a number of Wayne county men, and was mustered into service in Feb-
ruary, 1864. It was mustered out, after a comparatively brief term,
August 1, 1805. In the various military operations in Virginia of the
last campaign, the regiment performed efficient service. It formed a
part of the First Brigade, Third Cavalry Division. An order issued
April 9, 1865, after the surrender, paid the highest compliments to the
valor of this division.
These very brief incomplete sketches of the several organizations
which contained one or more companies or considerable numbers of
Wayne county men, do not, of course, exhibit in detail the deeds of the
men who took their lives in their hands in defense of the country. To
do this would require an entire volume ; and it is a gratifying fact that
such a work has been well performed in Wayne county by Prof. Lewis
H. Clark of Sodus, which permanently preserves the deeds of the sol-
diers of Wayne county.
CHAPTER VIII.
Since the War — Internal Improvements — Legislative Acts — Agricultural Produc-
tions— Peppermint — Statistics, etc. — Civil List — Recapitulation.
The general history of Wayne county since the close of the civil war
may be briefly written, exept as it will be found in more detail in the
later town histories and chapters devoted to specific topics. With the
close of the war we entered upon a period of inflation and expansion in
all mercantile and manufacturing centers. Money was plenty, prices
of farmers' products were high, markets were active,- and a general
spirit of recklessness was abroad. New enterprises of various kinds
were established, while the older ones which had passed through a period
of success on a rising market, were not, as a rule, prepared for the time
of retrenchment that should, perhaps, have been more generally fore-
92 LANDMARKS OF
seen. As a consequence, when the inevitable reaction came, in 1872-73,
all kinds of business suffered severely. But the same reasons existed
to lighten the burden in Wayne county to which we have alluded in re-
lation to earlier periods of financial stringency. The county is largely
agricultural, and such districts, if healthful in other directions, are the
last to feel the effects of financial revulsion. During the period now in
question the general statement may be made that the people of this
county have enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity.
Considerable legislation has been effected since that before chronicled
in which the county at large was interested. Among the more impor-
tant of these acts was the incorporation of the Palmyra Academy and
the Palmyra Savings Bank in 1842, both of which are described in later
pages; the act of April 11, 1853, providing for the erection of a new
court house and jail ; an act of March 24, 1859, giving Hiram W. Brad-
shaw permission to establish a ferry across Sodus Bay "from where
the bridge road approaches on the west side, to the highway on the east
side;" the incorporation of the Wayne County Savings Bank, April 13,
1861 ; acts authorizing the building of iron bridges over the canal in the
town of Macedon and at other points. In the appropriation bill of 187] ,
the sum of $5,400 was set aside for the vertical wall of the canal in Mace-
don, and $2,000 for improvement of the canal in Newark ; act of April
26, 1871, appropriating $3,000 for a bridge over Sodus Bay " at or near
the site of the old bridge at Port Glasgow." This sum was to be raised
by tax, and Edwin H. Draper, ofWolcott; De Witt Parshall, of Lyons;
Merritt Thornton, of Sodus; James M. Cosad and William W. Gatchell,
of Huron, were made the commissioners. Act of April 24, 1872, au-
thorizing the Canandaigua, Palmyra and Ontario Railroad to construct
a draw bridge over the canal at or near Palmyra village; (this was not,
of course, ever built. ) Act of May 12, 1873, for the protection of fish
in the Clyde and Seneca Rivers (a part of the extensive and beneficent
legislation of the past twenty years tending to the preservation of the
fish supply of this State.) Act of May 19, 1887, authorizing the super-
intendent of public works to build a hoist bridge over the canal at Glas-
gow street in Clyde; and a similar act of June 9, 1888, for a bridge
over the canal at Geneva street, Lyons, for which $10,000 was appro-
priated. Act of April 15, 1887, authorizing the supervisor of the town
of ( hitario to pay and cancel the bonds constituting the town indebted-
ness. Act of April 9, 189], authorizing the superintendent of the town
of Galen to .borrow $5,000 on the town credit, to pay Thomas Reynolds
WAYNE COUNTY. 93
for damages and injury sustained by falling off of a defective bridge.
Act of February 24, 1891, making the office of sheriff of Wayne county
a salaried office, with salary of $1,200. Many other other acts have been
passed in recent years incorporating various institutions in the county
and amending the several village charters, to place them in line with
the best governed municipalities of the State.
The reader of the foregoing pages has learned that the attention of
the farmers of this county was largely devoted to the growing of wheat
in early years. It was the grain that would sell most readily and, of
course, supplied the inhabitants with flour. Other grains were culti-
vated, but in a more limited way ; and the surplus of all was converted
into whisky in the numerous small distilleries that abounded in every
town.
Apples and pears have always been extensively produced in Wayne
county. For the first named fruit the soil and climate seem to be par-
ticularly well adapted and the quality of the fruit rivals that of Orleans
and Niagara counties, which is the highest praise that can be given it.
The first settlers in Sodus, Palmyra, and at other points, planted apple
seeds almost as soon as they arrived, and ere long they were supplied
with the ever-welcome fruit, the excellent quality of which led to the
extensive planting of orchards. Large quantities are shipped annually
to market. The first grafted apples brought to Wayne county were
brought by William Bond from Long Island and were termed the Long
Island, the Long Island Greening, and the Billy Bond. Pears also have
been produced successfully in the county, the locally celebrated Sheldon
pear and the Osband pear having originated in the towns of Huron and
Palmyra respectively.
In recent years raspberries have been extensively cultivated, espe-
cially in the north and northwest parts of the county. This fruit is mar-
keted generally in an evaporated form.
Another product which has given Wayne county a world-wide fame
is peppermint. The first production of this herb was about 1820, and
from 1825 until quite recently the quantity grown was on the increase.
For many years the quantity of oil distilled in this county constituted
by far the larger part of the product of the world. By the year 1837
considerable quantities of the herb were offered for sale. In 1841 H. G.
Hotchkiss was keeping a country store at Phelps, Ontario county, and
in the course of his dealings with the farmers of that vicinity he had
taken their peppermint oil in payment for goods until he had on hand
94 LANDMARKS OF
so much that he would lose money if he could not dispose of the lot for
§1,000. He attempted to sell it in New York but without success.
This led to the attempt to produce oil at home and was the initial step
in what became a very extensive and profitable manufacture. After
the year 1841 Mr. Hotchkiss gave his entire attention to this business.
Other enterprising men took up the work of manufacturing the oil, and
the farmers were thus inspired to further ciiltivation of the herb, until
it became almost if not quite the chief agricultural product of the coun-
ty. The average annual yield of peppermint oil in this county is 150,
ooo pounds, nine-tenths of which is controlled by the Hotchkiss family
of Lyons, which is virtually dictating the peppermint oil market, as
Wayne county is practically the only peppermint-growing district where
the plant is cultivated and the oil distilled. Wayne county oil com-
mands from forty to fifty cents a pound more than any other peppermint
oil. Twenty-five pounds of oil to the acre is the lowest general average
of the crop. It is not uncommon for the market to reach $3 a pound,
and it has been as high as $5 a pound. Some farmers distill their own
oil, but the product is usually treated by regular distillers, of whom
there are about 100 in Wayne county. They toll the crop for the dis-
tilling.
In 1801 the prices for various products were as follows : wheat, 75
cents; corn, 3 shillings; rye, 50 cents; hay, $6 to $12 per ton; butter
and cheese, 11 to 16 cents; salt pork, 8 to 10 cents; whisky, 50 to 75
cents per gallon; salt, $5 per barel; sheep, $2 to $4 per head; neat cat-
tle, $3 to $4 per cwt. ; milch cows, $16 to $25 per head; horses, $100 to
$125 a span; working oxen, $50 to $80 per yoke; laborer's wages, in-
cluding board, $10 to $15 per month; suit of clothes, $4 to $5; shoes,
$1.75 to $2 per pair.
In 1858 the county had 254,451 acres improved land; real estate val-
ued at $12,308,024; personal property, $1,364,222; there were that
year 23,964 male and 22,796 female inhabitants, 8,708 dwellings, 9,376
families, 6,844 freeholders, 219 school districts, 17,222 school children,
1 t, 928 horses, 21,695 oxen and calves, 104,845 sheep, 29,799 swine; the
county produced that year 45,272 tons hay, 289,734 bushels winter and
L, 918, 572 bushels spring wheat. 261,403 bushels potatoes, 509, 626 bush-
els-apples, 1,446,080 pounds butter, L63, 764 pounds cheese; and 13,065
yards domestic cloths.
The population of Wayne county by decades isas follows: 1800, 1,410;
1810, 6,575; 1820, 20,309; L830, 33,643; 1840, 42,057; 1850, 44,953;
1860, 47,762; L870, 17,710; L880, 51,700; and 1890, 49,729.
WAYNE COUNTY. 95
In 1855 the county had 226 blacksmiths, 205 shoemakers, 05 cabinet-
makers and dealers, .501 carpenters, 83 clergymen, 126 wagonmakers,
etc., 150 coopers, 6,494 farmers, 66 grocers, 4:5 tavern-keepers, 43 law-
yers, 44 machinists, 161 masons, etc., 180 merchants, 07 millers, 103
milliners, 83 painters, etc., 110 physicians, 14 printers, 85 harness mak-
ers, etc., 257 tailors, 45 tanners and curriers, 203 teachers, 4!) tinsmiths,
and 7 weavers.
In 1893 the 349,012 acres of land in the county were assessed at $13,
252,206; village and mill property, $0,121,401 ; value of railroads and
telegraphs, $4,010,470; personal property, value, $2,398,508; total as-
sessed value, $25,782, 230.
Schedule of taxes, 1893: town contingent funds, $32,009.33; town
poor funds, $12,798.48; roads and bridges, $6, 914. 42; special town tax-
es, $34,389.17; re-assessed on towns, $254. 53; audited by supervisors,
$4,015.73; reimburse county poor fund, $7,195.14; school taxes, $23,-
588.81; county tax, $50,438.93; state tax, $31,100.91; state insane tax,
$8,023.41. Total tax, $210,728.80; dog tax, $2,077.50.
The county has forty-five election districts, and at the general elec-
tion in 1893 polled 9,143 votes.
Wayne county is divided into two school commissioner districts, named
respectively First and Second. The First district comprises the towns
of Butler, Galen, Huron, Lyons, Rose, Savannah, Sodus, and Wolcott,
and the annual report of Everett O'Neill, school chmmissioner, for 1892
-93 gives the following; Districts with school houses, 114; teachers
employed during legal term, 170; whole number of children attending
school, 0,138; value school buildings and sites, $202,530; assessed val-
uation of districts, $13,300,408; public money received from the State,
$23,993.11; raised by local tax, $40,007.24; trees planted in 1893, 121.
The Second school commissioner district embraces the towns of Ar-
cadia, Macedon, Marion, Ontario, Palmyra, Walworth, and Williamson,
and from the report of M. C. Finley, commissioner, for 1892-93, is ob-
tained the following: Districts with school houses, 101; teachers em-
played during legal term, 132; whole number of children attending
school, 5,172; value of school buildings and sites, $153,040; assessed
valuation of districts, $12,003,000; public money received from the
State, $18,450.74; raised by local tax, $34,048.62; trees planted in 1893,
121.
96 LANDMARKS OF
Civil List.
At the convention held in Albany in Oetober, 1801, to consider the
powers of the governor and of the Council of Appointments (which were
decided as equal) the number of vState senators was fixed at thirty-two
and assemblymen at one hundred. Members of this convention from
Onondaga, Ontario and Steuben were Messrs. Carpenter, Moses At-
water, and John Knox. A canal commissioner was appointed on April
17, 1810, from Lyons, Wayne county, in the person of Myron Holley.
The second constitution was adopted by an election held in February,
1822. Many changes were made and a large number of offices were
made elective. These measures were carried by a vote of 71,732, to
41,102. The constitution finally grew into disfavor, and a third consti-
tution was formed during the year 1810. The delegates to this conven-
tion from Wayne county were Ornon Archer and Horatio N. Taft.
By act act of April 17, 1822, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, erected in 182:;,
and Yates, same date, were constituted the Twenty-sixth Congressional
District. By act of June 2!), 1832, Senecaand Wayne became the Twen-
ty-fifth District, changed to the Twenty-seventh by act of September 0,
1812. Cayuga and Wayne were made the Twenty-fifth District by act
of July 19, 1851, and Seneca was added by act of April 23, 1802, and
the three constituted the Twenty-fourth District. By act of April 13
L892, Wayne, Cayuga, Cortland, Ontario and Yates were made the
Twenty-eighth District. The following citizens of Wayne county have
been elected to Congress: Esbon Blackmar, 1818-19; Martin Butter-
field, 1859-01; George W. Cowles, 1809; John M. Holley, 1847-48;
John H. Camp, 1876.
The office of presidential elector has been held by the following res-
idents of Wayne county: Solomon W. John, appointed by the Legisla-
ture in 1824. John Beal, elected in 1828; Alanson M. Knapp, 1830;
Charles Bradish, 1810; Jonathan Boynton, 1814 ; Joseph W. Gates, IS is ;
William VanMarter, 1800; and George W. Knowles, 1870.
The State of New York was divided into eight senatorial districts,
and each entitled to four senators; term four years, one elected each
year. On April 11, L823, Wayne was annexed to the Seventh District,
which then included Cayuga, ( )nondaga, ( hitario, Seneca, Yates, Wayne,
and, in L836, Cortland counties. By an act passed April 30, 1892, Wayne,
Cayuga, Tompkins, Ontario and Yates were made the Twenty-sixth
Senatorial • District. Senators from Wayne have been By ram Green,
WAYNE COUNTY. 97
L823-24; Truman Hart, 1826-29; Thomas Armstrong, L830^37; Lyman
Sherwood, 1840-41; William Clark, 1854-55; Alexander B. Williams,
L858-61; Stephen K. Williams, 1864-69, Samuel C. Cuyler, 1846-47;
Thomas Robinson, 1884-85 ; Charles T. Saxton, 1889, the present sen-
ator.
Upon the organization of Wayne county it was entitled to two repre-
sentatives by appointment. The following' persons have held the office
from Wayne county from the respective dates given: 1824, James Dick-
son, Russell Whipple; 1825, Wm. H. Adams, Enoch Moore; 1820,
Thomas Armstrong, Jonathan Boynton; 1830, Luther Chapin, Seth
Eddy; 1831, A. Wells, Seth Eddy; 1832-33, James Humeston, A. Salis-
bury; 1834, James P. Bartle, Russell Whipple; 1835, E. Benjamin,
W. D. Wylie; 1836, Reuben H. Foster, Robert Alsop; 1837, David
Arne, jr., Pomeroy Tucker ; 1838, John M. Holley, Esbon Blackmar;
1839, T. Armstrong, A. Salisbury; 1840, Horace Morley, Durfee Os-
band; 1841, J. M. Halley, E. Blackmar; 1842, James M. Wilson, The-
ron R. Strons; 1843, Philip Sours, Fred U. Sheffield; 1844, Austin Roe,
Isaac R. Sanford; 1845, John J. Dickson, A. M. Knapp; 1846, James
T. Wisner, Elias Durfee; 1847, I. R. Southard, S. Moore; 1848, E.
Pettit, John Lapham; 1849, Isaac Leavenworth, Peter Boyce; 1850,
James M. Wilson, Elihu Dunfee; 1851, Ed. W. Bottom, T. G. Yeomans;
1852, William Dutton, T. G. Yeomans; 1853, B. H. Streeter, L. Whit-
comb; 1854, Willis G. Wade, John P. Bennett; 1856, Harlow Hyde,
Thomas Barnes; 1857, Thomas Johnson, Joseph Peacock; 1858, Ed-
ward W. Sentell, Charles Estes; 1859, Henry K. Graves, John A. Laing;
1860, James M. Servis, Abel J. Bixby; 1861, J. S. L'Amoreaux, J. W.
Corning; 1862, E. N. Thomas, Abram Payne; 1863-64, Thaddeus W.
Collins, Lemuel Durfee; 1865, Thaddeus W. Collins, W. H. Rogers;
1866, John Vandenburg, W. H. Rogers; 1867, John Vandenburg, Ornon
Archer; 1868, De Witt Parshall, Elijah M. K. Glenn; 1869, Merritt
Thornton, Elijah M. K. Glenn; 1870, Anson S. Wood, Amasa Hall;
1871, Anson S. Wood, Henry Durfee; 1872-73, Edward B. Wells, Lu-
cien T. Yeomans; 1874, Emory W. Gurnee, H. H. Clark; 1875, Will-
iam H. Clark, A. S Russell; 1876, Emory W. Gurnee, A. S. Russell;
1877, Jackson Valentine, Jeremiah Thistlethwaite ; 1878, Jackson Val-
entine, James H. Miller; 1879, John A. Munson, Jefferson Sherman;
1880, Alfred P. Crafts, Jefferson Sherman; 1881, Rowland Robinson,
Addison W. Gates; 1882, Oscar Weed, William E. Greenwood; 1883,
Oscar Weed, Lemon Hotchkiss; 1884, Ammon S. Farnum, Silas S.
13
98 LANDMARKS OF
Pierson; 1885, Amnion S. Farnum, Edwin K. Burnham ; 188(5, William
Wood, Barnet H. Davis; 1887-88, Charles T. Saxton, Barnet H. Davis;
L889, Charles T. Saxton, Richard P. Groat; 1890, John P. Bennett,
Richard P. Groat; 1801, Elliott B. Norris, Richard P. Groat; 1802,
George W. Brinkerhoff, Flynn Whitcomb. By the act of April 30,
1 <S'.r>, Wayne county was entitled to but one member of assembly. 1893,
; 1804, George S. Horton.
Prior to 1857 school commissioners were appointed by the Boards of
Supervisors; since then they have been elected by ballot. The first
election under the act was held in November, 1850. In Wayne county
the commissioners of the First District have been as follows : Mortimer
F. Sweeting, Thomas Robinson, Alonzo M. Winchester, John McGon-
egal, Joseph G. L. Roe, Sidney G. Cook, E. C. Delano, Everett O'Neill,
and Samuel Cosad. In the Second District : Albert S. Todd ; Myron
W. Reed, Jefferson Sherman, Ethel M. Allen, W. T. Goodnough, M.
C. Finley, and Freeman Pintler.
County Treasurers. — Bartlett R. Rogers, 1848; Philander P. Brad-
ish, 1851; John Adams, 1857; Smith A. Dewey, 1802, re-elected 1865,
and 1868; Wm. B. Stultz, 1871, and re-elected 1874 and 1877; L. F.
Taylor, appointed 1870; Dr. A. F. Sheldon, 1870, and re-elected 1882
and 1885; Volney H. Sweeting, 1888, present imcumbent.
Sheriffs during the colonial period were appointed annuall)' in Octo-
ber, unless otherwise noticed. Under the first constitution they were
appointed annually by the council of appointment, and no person could
hold the office more than four successive years. The sheriff could hold
no other office and must be a freeholder in the county to which appointed.
Since the constitution of 1821, sheriffs have been elected for a term of
three years, and are ineligible for election for the succeeding term.
The following persons have held the office of sheriff of Wayne county
from the respective dates given ; The elections have been held in No-
vember of each year. Reuben H. Foster, 1825; Cullen Foster, 1828;
Calvin D. Palmeter, 1831; Truman Heminway, 1834; Hiram Mann,
L837; vSimon V. W. Stout, 1840; John Borrowdale, 1843; George W.
Barnard, 1846; Chester A. Ward, 1840; George W. Paddock, 1852;
William P Nottingham, 1855; Adrastus Snedeker, 1858; John P. Ben-
nett, L861; Bartlett R. Rogers, 1864; John P. Bennett, 18(17; John N.
Brownell, 1870; Richard P. Groat, 1873; Thomas M. Clark, 187<i; Wil-
liam J. Glenn, 1870; Vernon R. Howell, 1882; Rossman J. Parshall,
lssf); Charles E. Reed, 1888; Geo. W. Knowles, 1890, appointed;
Walter Thornton, 1801; Chas. H. Ford, 1894, appointed.
WAYNE COUNTY. 99
In the comparatively brief period of a century — a period that is some-
times lived through by one person — what a transformation has been ef-
fected in the region of Western New York which embraces the county
of which this work treats ! The mind that is accustomed only to super-
ficial thought and observation, fails utterly to comprehend it. At the
one extreme of the period was a wilderness, untrodden by man other
than the red natives who are now fast disapearing from the face of the
earth. A wilderness of forest and stream and lake; thickly peopled. by
wild animals and feathered tribes. At the other extreme of the cen-
tury we look upon as fair a land as lies beneath the sun. Every evi-
dence of civilization greets the observer's eye. Surely the deeds of the
men and women who have wrought this marvelous transformation de-
serve to be enshrined on the pages of history.
Our forefathers did not begin their work under favorable conditions.
They had just passed through a long and harassing war, which was fol-
lowed by a period of stagnation of all kinds of business, leading to con-
tinued privation and suffering at many firesides. One observant writer
has said that " as a nation, or a people in the aggregate, ours was the
poorest that had ever entered upon the experience of separate and in-
dependent existence ; and the settlement of this region [Western New
York] commenced at the lowest point of depression. Those who had
homes in New England and elsewhere- -the means of comfortable sub-
sistence— generally chose to remain where they were, leaving it mostly
for those who were impelled to it by necessity to encounter the then
hard task of settling and improving the wilderness. No new region of
our entire country has been settled by a class of emigrants as poor, in
the aggregate, as were the pioneers of the Genesee country. The in-
stances of those who had enough to pay the expenses of immigration,
get possession of their lands, and make any considerable improvements,
were few; those who had enough to place themselves in their new
homes and purchase the necessaries of life, until they could produce
them, were not numerous; while the great bulk of the pioneers had
but little left when they had planted themselves in the forest and erected
their rude log cabins. The instances were not few of those who parted
with necessary raiment, with household furniture that could not easily
be spared — with things essential to their comfort — either to pay the ex-
penses of emigration, or to piece out the means of subsistence.
"Located in a widely extended forest, in sparse settlements, or in
solitar3T or detached homes — the long and tedious journey of emigration
100 LANDMARKS OF
consummated, log huts erected, small openings made, and a rude and
primitive agriculture commenced — they had but just entered upon a
long series of difficulties and hindrances; disease and apprehensions of
Indian wars, came upon them in their years of extreme weakness; in
busy seasons when health and strength were most needed, whole house-
holds and neighborhoods were stricken down with agues and fevers,
and the services of households and neighborhoods that escaped would
be required to aid those less fortunate; then would come Indian alarms,
demonstrations of renewal of Indian hostilities which would render the
tenure by which they held their wilderness homes precarious — desertion
and flight, not an improbable necessity. These difficulties subsiding
and warded off, when lands that been cleared, soil that had been sub-
dued, began to yield a surplus, they had no markets; their wheat
moulded in the stack or in the bark-covered log barns ; or, when thrashed
and drawn over long and tedious wood roads, at a low price, could not
be exchanged for many of the most common necessaries of life. A
gleam of sunshine came, a better day dawned for a brief season, but
soon came the national exigencies of embargo and non-intercourse,
which bore especcially hard on all this region.
"When all these difficulties had been surmounted, to which should
have been added, at least, one unfruitful season, and consequent scar-
city of food for man, and hay and grain for stock, causing in many lo-
calities actual suffering — when the whole region of the Genesee country
had just begun to realize something of prosperity, war upon its imme-
diate borders, in its weak and exposed condition, came upon it — a local
calamity, the magnitude of which can now hardly be realized."
WAYNE COUNTY. 101
CHAHTER X.
Comparison of State Law with the Common Law — Evolution of the Courts — The
Court of Appeals — The Supreme Court — The Court of Chancery — The County Court
— The Surrogate's Court — Justice's Court — District Attorneys — Sheriffs — Court
House — Judicial Officers — Personal Notes.
The statement is commonly expressed that the judicial system of
the State of New York is largely founded upon the common law of
England. While this is true to a great extent, there are important
differences revealed by a close study of the history of the laws of this
State, showing that our system is in many important respects an
original growth. In the simple, yet initiative matter of entitling a
criminal process for example, there is a radical difference between our
method and that which must be followed in England. Here it is " The
People Versus the Criminal; " there, " Rex versus the Criminal." In
the one it is an independent judiciary responsible directly to the
people ; in the other to the king.
This principle of the sovereignty of the people over our laws, as well
as their dominance in other respects, has had a slow, conservative, yet
steadily progressive and systematic growth. In the colonial history of
the State the governor was in effect the maker, interpreter and en-
forcer of the laws. He was the chief judge of the court of final resort,
while his councillors were generally his obedient followers. The execu-
tion of the English and Colonial statutes rested with him, as did also
the exercise of royal authority in the province ; and it was not until the
adoption of the first Constitution, in 1777, that he ceased to contend for
these prerogatives and to act as though the only functions of the court
and councillors were to do its bidding as servants and helpers, while
the Legislature should adopt only such laws as the executive should
suggest and approve. By the first Constitution the governor wras
wholly stripped of the judicial power which he possessed under the
Colonial rule, and such power was vested in the lieutenant-governor
and the Senate, the chancellor and the justices of the Supreme Court;
the former to be elected by the people, and the latter to be appointed
by the council. Under this Constitution there was the first radical
102 LANDMARKS OF
separation of the judicial and the legislative powers, and the advance-
ment of the judiciary to the position of a co-ordinate department of the
government, and subject to the limitation consequent upon the ap-
pointment of its members by the council.
But even this restriction was soon felt to be incompatible, though it
was not until the adoption of the Constitution of 1840 that the last con-
nection between the purely political and the judicial parts of the State
government was abolished; and with it disappeared the last remaining
relic of the colonial period as regards the laws. From this time on the
judiciary became more directly representative of the people in the
election by them of its members. The development of the idea of the
responsibility of the courts to the people, from the time when all its
members were at the beck and nod of one well-nigh irresponsible
master, to the time when all judges, even of the court of last resort,
are voted for by the people, has been remarkable. Yet, through all
this change there has prevailed the idea of one ultimate tribunal from
whose decision there can be no appeal.
Noting briefly the present arrangement and powers of the courts of
this State and the elements from which they have grown, we see that
the whole scheme is involved in the idea of, first, a trial before a magis-
trate and jury — arbiters respectively of law and fact — and then a review
by a higher tribunal of the facts and law, and ultimately of the law by
a court of last resort. To accomplish the purposes of this scheme
there has been devised and established, first, the present Court of
Appeals, the ultimate tribunal of the State, perfected in its present
form by the Conventions of 1807 and 1868, and ratified by a vote of the
people in 1809; and taking the place of the old "Court for the trial of
impeachment and correction of errors" to the extent of correcting
errors of law. As first organized under the Constitution of 1846, the
Court of Appeals was composed of eight judges, four of whom were
elected by the people and the remainder chosen from the justices of
the Supreme Court having the shortest time to serve. As organized
in 1861), and now existing, the court consists of the chief judge and six
associates judges, who hold office for a term of fourteen years from and
including the first day of January after their election. This court is
continually in session at the capitol in Albany, except as it takes recess
from time to time on its own motion. It has full power to correct or
reverse the decisions of all inferior courts when properly before it for
review. Five judges constitute a quorum, and four must concur to
WAYNE COUNTY. 103
render judgment. If four do not agree the case must be reargued;
hut no more than two rehearings can be had, and if then four judges
do not concur, the judgment of the court below stands affirmed. The
Legislature has provided by statute how and when proceedings and
decisions of inferior tribunals may be reviewed in the Court of Appeals,
and may in its discretion alter or amend the same. Upon the reor-
ganization of the court in 1869 its work was far in arrears, and the law
commoniy known as the " Judiciary Act " provided for a commission
of appeals to aid the Court of Appeals. And still more recently, in
1888, the Legislature passed a concurrent resolution that section 6
of article 6 of the Constitution be amended so that upon the certificate
of the Court of Appeals to the governor of such an accumulation of
causes on the calendar of the Court of Appeals that the public interests
required a more speedy disposition thereof, the governor may desig-
nate seven justices of the Supreme Court to act as associate judges, for
the time being, of the Court of Appeals, and to form a second division
of that court, and to be dissolved by the governor when the necessity
for their services ceased to exist. This amendment was submitted to
the people of the State at the general election of that year and was
ratified, and in accordance therewith the governor selected seven
Supreme Court justices, who were constituted the Second Division of
the Court of Appeals.
Second to the Court of Appeals in rank and jurisdiction stands the
Supreme Court, which, as it now exists, is made up of many and widely
different elements, it was originally created by act of the Colonial
Legislature May 6, 1691, and finally by ordinance of the governor and
council May 15, 1699, and empowered to try all issues to the same ex-
tent as the English Courts of King's Bench, Common Pleas and Exche-
quer, except in the exercise of equity powers. It had jurisdiction in
actions involving $100 and over, and to revise and correct the decisions
of inferior courts. An appeal lay from it to the governor and council.
The judges — at first there were five of them — annually made a circuit
of the counties, under a commission naming them, issued by the gov-
ernor, and giving them Nisi Prius, Oyer and Terminer, and jail de-
livery powers. Under the first Constitution the court was reorganized,
the judges being then named by the council of appointment. All pro-
ceedings were directed to be entitled in the name of the people instead
of that of the king.
104 LANDMARKS OF
By the Constitution of 1821 many and important changes were made
in the character and methods of this court. The judges were reduced
in number to three and appointed by the governor, with the consent of
the Senate, to hold office during good behavior, or until sixty years of
age. They were removable by the Legislature when two-thirds of the
Assembly and a majority of the Senate so voted. Four times each
year the full court sat in review of their decisions upon questions of
law. By the Constitution of 1840 the Supreme Court, as it then ex-
isted, was abolished, and a new court of the same name, and having
general jurisdiction in law and equity, was established in its place.
This court was divided into General Terms, Circuits, Special Terms,
and Oyer and Terminer. Its members were composed of thirty-three
justices, to be elected by the people, and to reside, five in the first and
four in each of the other seven judicial districts into which the State
was divided. By the judiciary act of 1847 General Terms were to be
held at least once in each year in counties having more than forty
thousand inhabitants, and in other counties at least once in two years;
and at least two Special Terms and two Circuit Courts were to be held
yearly in each county except Hamilton. By this act the court
was authorized to name the times and places of holding its terms, and
those of Oyer and Terminer; the latter being a part of the Circuit
Court and held by the justice, the county judge and two justices of
sessions. Since 1882 the Oyer and Terminer has consisted of a single
justice of the Supreme Court.
It is proper at this point to describe one of the old courts, the powers
of which have been vested in the Supreme Court. We refer to the
Chancery Court, an heirloom of the Colonial period, which had its
origin in the Court of Assizes, the latter being invested with equity
powers under the duke's laws. The court was established in 1G83, and
the governor or such person as he should appoint, assisted by the coun-
cil, was designated as its chancellor. In 1698 the court went out of
existence by limitation ; was revised by ordinance in 1701; suspended
in 1703, and re-established in the next year. At first the Court of
Chancery was unpopular in the province, the Assembly and the
colonists opposing it with the argument that the crown had no authority
to establish an equity court in the colony, and they were doubtful of
the propriety of constituting the governor and council such a court.
Under the Constitution of 1777 the court was recognized, but its
chancellor was thereby prohibited from holding any other office except
WAYNE COUNTY. 105
delegate to Congress on special occasions. Upon the reorganization of
the court in L778, by convention of representatives, masters and ex-
aminers in chancery were provided to be appointed by the council of
appointment; registers and clerks by the chancellor. The latter
licensed all solicitors and counsellors of the court. Under the Constitu-
tion of 1821 the chancellor was appointed by the governor and held office
during good behavior, or until sixty years of age. Appeals lay from
the Chancery Court to the Court for the Correction of Errors. Under
the second Constitution equity powers were vested in the circuit judges,
and their decisions were reviewable on appeal to the chancellor. But
this equity character was soon taken from the circuit judges and there-
after devolved upon the chancellor, while the judges alluded to acted as
vice-chancellors in their respective circuits. But, by the radical
changes made by the Constitution of 1843, the Court of Chancery was
abolished, and its powers, duties and jurisdiction vested in the Supreme
Court, as before stated.
By act of the Legislature adopted in 1848, and entitled the " Code of
Procedure," all distinctions between actions at law and suits in equity
were abolished, so far as the manner of commencing and conducting
them was concerned, and one uniform method of practice was adopted.
Under this act appeals lay to the General Term of the Supreme Court
from judgments rendered in justice's, mayor's and recorder's, and
county courts, and from all orders and decisions of a justice at special
term of the Supreme Court.
The judiciary article of the Constitution of 1846 amended in 1869,
authorizing the Legislature, not more often than once in five years,
to provide for the organization of General Terms, consisting of a pre-
siding justice and not more than three associates; but by chapter 408 of
the laws of 1870 the then organization of the General Term was abro-
gated and the State divided into four departments and provision made
for holding General Terms in each. By the same act the governor was
directed to designate from among the justices of the Supreme Court a
presiding justice and two associates to constitute a General Term in
each department. Under the authority of the constitutional amend-
ment adopted in 1882, the Legislature in 1883 divided the State into
five judicial departments, and provided for the election of twelve
additional justices to hold office from the first Monday in June, 1884.
In June, 1887, the Legislature enacted the code of civil procedure to
take the place of the code of 1848. By this many minor changes were
14
106 LANDMARKS OF
made, among them a provision that every two years the justices of the
General Terms, and the chief judges of the Superior City Courts,
should meet and revise and establish general rules of practice for all
the courts of record in the State, except the Court of Appeals.
Such are, in brief, the changes through which the Supreme Court of
this State has passed in its growth from the prerogative of an irrespon-
sible governor, to one of the most independent and enlightened instru-
mentalities for the protection and attainment of the rights of citizens
of which any State or nation can rightfully boast. So well is this fact
understood by the people, that by far the greater amount of business,
which might be done in inferior courts at less expense, is taken to this
court for settlement. The only man from Wayne county ever elected
Supreme Court judge was Theron R. Strong of Palmyra.
Next in inferiority to the Supreme Court is the County Court, held
in and for each county of the State at such times and places as its
judges may direct. This court had its origin in the English Court of
Sessions, and, like that court, had at first criminal jurisdiction only.
By an act passed in 1663, a Court of Sessions, having power to try both
civil and criminal causes by jury, was directed to be held by three
justices of the peace, in each of the counties of the province twice each
year, with an additional term in Albany and two in New York. By
the act of 1691 and the decree of 1600, all civil jurisdiction was taken
from this court and conferred upon the Court of Common Pleas. By
the sweeping changes made by the Constitution in 1846, provision was
made for a County Court in each county of the State, excepting New
York, to be held by an officer to be designated the county judge, and
to have such jurisdiction as the Legislature might prescribe. Under
authority of this Constitution the County Courts have been given,
from time to time, jurisdiction in various classes of actions which need
not be enumerated here, and have also been invested with certain
equity powers in the foreclosure of mortgages; to sell infants' real
estate; to partition lands; to admeasure dower and care for the persons
and estate of lunatics and habitual drunkards. The Judiciary Act of
L869 continued the existing jurisdiction of County Courts, and confer-
red upon them original jurisdiction in all actions in which the defend-
ants lived within the county, and the damages claimed did not exceed
$1,000, which sum has since been extended to $2,000. Like the
Supreme Court, the County Court now has its civil and its criminal
side. In Criminal matters the county judge is assisted by two justices
WAYNE COUNTY. 107
of sessions, elected by the people from among the justices of the peace in
the county. It is in the criminal branch of this court, known as the Ses-
sions, that all the minor criminal offenses are now disposed of. All
indictments of the grand jury, excepting for murder or some very
serious felony, are sent to it for trial from the Oyer and Terminer.
By the codes of 1848 and 1877, the methods of procedure and practice
were made to conform as nearly as possible to the practice in the
Supreme Court. This was done with the evident design of attracting
litigation into these courts, thus relieving the Supreme Court. In this
purpose there has been failure, litigants much preferring the shield
and assistance of the broader powers of the higher court. By the
Judiciary Act the term of office of county judges was extended from
four to six years. Under the code the judges can perform some of the
duties of a justice of the Supreme Court at Chambers. The County
Court has appellate jurisdiction over actions arising in Justice's Courts
and Courts of Special Sessions. Appeals lay from the County Court
to the General Term. County judges were appointed until 1847, after
which the)^ were elected.
First judges in the old court of Common Pleas were originally ap-
pointed by the governor and Senate for a term of five years. None of
those appointed previous to the formation of Wayne county was from
within . the present limits of Wayne. Their names were : Oliver
Phelps, May, 1789-93; Timothy Hosmer, October, 1793-1802; John
Nicholas, January, 1803-1819; Nathaniel W. Howell, March, 1818.
Those appointed since the formation of Wayne county are as follows :
John W. Hallet, April 19, 1825; Alexander R. Tiffany, March 28,
1827; William Sisson, January 30, 1830 ; Hiram K. Jerome, January
29, 1840; Oliver H. Palmer, April 12, 1843; William H. Adams, May
12, 1846.
Those who have held the office since it was made elective are as fol-
lows: George H. Middleton, June, 1847; Leander S. Ketcham,
November, 1851; Lyman Sherwood, November, 1859; George W.
Cowles, November, 1863, and November, 1867; Charles McLouth,
(appointed) November 1, 1869; Luther M. Norton, November, 1869;
George W. Cowles, November, 1873; Thaddeus W. Collins, Novem-
ber, 1879; George W. Cowles, November, 1879; George W. Cowles,
November, 1885; L. M. Norton, 1891, incumbent.
Surrogate's Courts, one of which exists in each of the counties of
the State, are now courts of record having a seal. Their special
108 LANDMARKS OF
jurisdiction is the settlement and care of estates of persons who have
died either with or without a will, and of infants. The derivation of
the powers and practice of the Surrogate's Court in this State is from
the Ecclesiastical Court of England through a part of the colonial coun-
cil, which existed during the Dutch rule here, and exercised its
authority in accordance with the Dutch Roman law, the custom of
Amsterdam and the law of Aasdom ; the Court of Burgomasters and
Scheppens, the Court of Orphan Masters, the Mayor's Court, the Pre-
rogative Court and the Court of Probates. The settlement of estates
and the guardianship of orphans which was at first invested in the
director-general and council of New Netherlands, was transferred to
the Burgomasters in 1053, and soon afterwards to the orphan masters.
Under the colony the Prerogative Court controlled all matters in rela-
tion to the probate of wills and settlement of estates. This power con-
tinued until 1692, when by act of legislation all probates and granting
of letters of administration were to be under the hand of the governor
or his delegate ; and two freeholders were appointed in each town to
take charge of the estates of persons dying without a will. Under the
duke's laws this duty had been performed by the constables, overseers
and justices of each town. In 1778 the governor was divested of all
this power excepting the appointment of surrogates, and it was confer-
red upon the Court of Probates. Under the first Constitution surro-
gates were appointed by the council of appointment; under the second
Constitution, by the governor with the approval of the Senate. The
Constitution of 184G abrogated the office of surrogate in all counties
having less than 40,000 population, and conferred its powers and duties
upon the county judge. By the code of civil procedure surrogates
were invested with all the necessary powers to carry out the equitable
and incidental requirements of their office.
The following persons held the office of surrogate in Ontario county
previous to the formation of Wayne: John Cooper, Ma)* 5, 1789;
Samuel Mellish, March 22, 1702; Israel Chapin, jr., March 18, L795;
Amos Hall, February 23, 1790; Dudlay Saltonstall, January 25, 1798;
Reuben Hart, February 10, 1809; Eliphalet Taylor, February 13,
lsio; Reuben Hart, February 5, 1811; Eliphalet Taylor, March 9, L813;
Reuben Hart, March 17, 1815: Stephen Phelps, April 10, 1817; Ira
Selby, March 5, 1821; Jared Wilcox, March 38, 1S2:*».
The following persons have held this office in Wayne county: John
S. Tallmadge, April 18, L823; Frederick Smith, January 11, L826;
WAYNE COUNTY. 109
Graham H. Chapin, March 10, 1826; Lyman Sherwood, February 12,
1833; James C. Smith, April 10, 1844; (after 1847, the office was
merged in that of county judge. )
The onl}T remaining courts which are common to the State are the
Special Sessions, held by a justice of the peace for the trial of minor
offences, and justice courts with limited civil jurisdiction. Previous to
the Constitution of 1821, modified in 1826, justices of the peace were
appointed ; since that date they have been elected. The office and its
duties are descended from the English office of the same name, but are
much less important here than there, and under the laws of this State
are purety the creature of the statute. The office is now of little im-
portance in the administration of law, and with its loss of old-time
power has lost also much of its former dignity.
The office of district attorney was formerly known as assistant
attorney-general. The districts then embraced several counties in
each and were seven in number. On the loth of April, 1817, upon the
organization of Tompkins county, a new district was formed, number
the eighth, which included Broome, Cortland, Seneca and Tompkins
counties. At first the office was filled by the governor and council dur-
ing pleasure. The office of district attorney, as now known, was cre-
ated April 4, 1801. By a law passed in April, 1818, each county was
constituted a separate district for the purposes of this office. During
the era of the second Constitution district attorneys were appointed by
the County Courts in each county.
The following persons have held the office of district attorney for
Wayne county from and including the year given in each case: William
H. Adams, 1823: Graham H. Chapin, September 26, 1829; William
H. Adams, September 29, 1830; John M. Holley, February, 2, 1831;
Theron R. Strong, January 31, 1835; Charles D. Lawton, September
26, 1839; John M. Holley, October 5, 1842; George H. Middleton,
September 26, 1845; Lyman Sherwood, May 30, 1846; Coles Bashford,
June, 1847; George Olmstead, October 4, 1850; Stephen K. Williams,
November, 1850; Joseph Welling, November, 1853; Jared F. Harri-
son, November, 1856; Jacob B. Decker, November, 1858; William F.
Aldrich, November, 1861; George N. Williams, jr , November, 1864;
John H. Camp, November, 1867; Charles H. Roy, November, 1870;
Murganzy Hopkins, November, 1873; Marvin I. Greenwood, Novem-
ber, 1876; John Vandenburg, November, 1879; Jefferson W. Hoag,
November, 1882; Charles H. Ray, November, 1885; Samuel M.
Sawyer, November, 1888; re-elected November, 1891.
110 LANDMARKS OF
The legal business of the inhabitants of the territory of Wa)me
county, was, of course, done in Ontario county previous to 1K23. The
public buildings were situated, as now, in Canandaigua. We learn from
the records that the first court in Ontario county was held in the un-
finished chamber of Moses Atwater's house on the first Tuesday in
June, 1792: Oliver Phelps, judge; Nathaniel Gorham, jr., clerk;
Judah Colt, sheriff. Vincent Mathews of Newtown was the only
attorney present when the court opened. The first business in the
Surrogate's Court of the county was the settlement of the estate of
Captain Jonathan Whitney, who died in 1793.
By an act of the Legislature April 9, 1792, the supervisors of Ontario
county were authorized to raise by tax the sum of six hundred pounds
for building a court house. Under this act the first court house was
erected on the square in Canandaigua. The first jail was a block-house
which had been built as a protection against the Indians.
With the erection of Wayne county all the necessary measures were
adopted for the transfer of the courts to the new community. The
act contains the following provisions :
" There shall be held in and for the county a Court of Common
Pleas and a Court of General Sessions of the Peace, and there shall be
three terms of said court in every year, to commence and end as fol-
lows: The terms of said court shall begin on the fourth Tuesday of
January, May and September, and may continue to be held until the
Saturday following inclusive.
"That the first term of the said Court of Common Pleas and General
Sessions of the Peace in and for Wayne county shall be held in the
Presbyterian meeting house in the village of Lyons, and all subsequent
terms shall be holden in the same place until the completion of the
court house."
Meanwhile prisoners were to be confined in the jail of Ontario
county. The act appointed William D. Ford, of Jefferson county;
Samuel Strong, of Tioga county, and Oliver P. Ashley, of Greene
county, as "commissioners for examining and determining a proper
site for a court house and jail. "
The supervisors of Wa5me county were authorized to meet at the
house of Henry L. Woolsey, in Lyons, on the first Tuesday in October,
L823, and '.' cause to be assessed, collected and paid into the treasury
of said county of Wayne, the sum of $2,500; and also at their next
annual meeting the further sum of $2,500, in like manner as taxes to
defray the contingent expenses of the county."
WAYNE COUNTY. Ill
In pursuance of this legislation the church in Lyons was prepared
for its new purpose. The upper part of the pulpit was removed; a
platform was built over the small chancel in front, a carpet was laid,
tables and chairs provided, and there on the fourth Tuesday in May,
L823, the first courts of Wayne county were held. John S. Tallmadge
was first judge, and Enoch Moore and William Sisson, judges. Hugh
Jameson was sheriff ; William H. Adams, district attorney; Israel J.
Richardson, county clerk; George W. Scott, deputy clerk; Andrew J.
Lowe and George Sisson, coroners.
The resident attorneys of the county admitted to practice at the
organization of the courts were: William H. Adams, Graham H.
Chapin, Frederick Smith, Orville L. Holley, Hiram K. Jerome,
William J. Hough, Joseph S. Colt John Fleming, jr., Hugh Jameson,
William Wells, Thomas P. Baldwin, Alexander R. Tiffany, Charles F.
Smith, Edward M. Coe.
Names of the first grand jurors empaneled in the county: John
Adams, Abner F. Lakey, William D. Wiley, John Baber, jr., Lemuel
Spear, David Warner, Ephraim Green, William Voorhies, James
Mason, Abel Wyman, David Russell, Cephas Moody, Stephen Sher-
man, William Wilson, William Plank, Alexander Beard, Jacob Butter-
field, Daniel Chapman, Jeremiah B. Pierce, Freeman Rogers, Newell
Taft, Pliny Foster, Joseph Lane.
The first court house was built in pursuance of the provisions of the
Legislative act before noted. The building committee consisted of
Simeon Griswold, of Galen, a Mr. Kellogg, of Sodus, and another
gentleman, name unknown; Joseph Hull was the architect; John Mc-
Carn and Harry Gale were the masons. The corner stone was laid with
Masonic ceremonies, Henry Seymour officiated, and Gen. William H.
Adams delivered the address. The building was of brick and stood in
the center of the present park in Lyons. It was burned in 185G, and
the clerk's office erected. The old court house had long been inade-
quate and inconvenient for the county business before steps were taken
in 1852-3 towards providing a better one. A Legislative act of April
11, 1853, appointed John Adams, Stephen Marshall and Francis E.
Cornwell, commissioners for the erection of a new court house and
jaii. The State comptroller was authorized to loan the county $12,000
from the school fund, to be repaid in four annual installments ; and on
the 9th of April, 1855, another loan of $10,000 was made. Through
the efforts of a committee consisting of William D. Perrine, S. Har-
112 LANDMARKS OF
rington, S. Marshall, John Knowles, and P. P. Bradish, the commis-
sioners secured title to two lots of land on the north side of Church
street, opposite and north of the court house site. Its style of architec-
ture is imposing and appropriate and the cost of the building about
$50,000.
The first county clerk's office stood west of the park on Pearl street.
It was used until it became apparent that it was both unsafe and in-
adequate, when measures were adopted for the erection of a new one.
A lot was purchased a little west of the old office, on the same street,
and in 1874 the present commodious fire-proof structure was erected at
a cost of about $14,000.
The county jail is a stone structure in the west part of Lyons, and
is well adapted for its purposes.
The following document has a quaint interest in this connection :
DECLARATION.
I do solemnly swear that I have not been engaged in a duel, by sending or accept-
ing a challenge to fight a duel, or by fighting a duel, or in any other manner, in
violation of the act entitled, "An act to suppress dueling," since the first day of
July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixteen ; nor will I
be concerned either directly or indirectly, in any duel during the continuance of the
said act, and while an inhabitant of this State. — May 27, 1823.
William H. Adams, William Wells, Lem. W. Ruggles,
Fred K.Smith, 'Edward M. Coe, Mark H. Sibley,
Orville L. Holley, Chas. F. Smith, Alex. R. Tiffany,
Wm. J. Hough, Th. P. Baldwin, Hiram K. Jerome,
John Fleming, jr. David Hudson, Rodney J. Church,
Graham H. Chapin, Jeff Clark. George W. Scott,
Hugh Jameson, Jared Willson, Joseph Skinner.
Samuel Dickinson, Nathan Park,
This document is on file in the county clerk's office. It gives the
names of the lawyers here at that early date, with a few from Ontario
county who desired to practice here.
In the year 1856 the number of lawyers in the county had reached
thirty-six, and they were distributed as follows:
Clyde. — George W. Cowles (still in practice), L. S. Ketch um, C. D.
Lawton, William S. Stow, Joseph Welling, J. Van Dcnburgh.
Lyons.— William II. Adams, G. H. Arnold, R. W. Ashley, G, W.
Benton, William Clark, F. E. Cornwell, D. H. Devoe, E. A. Griswold,
WAYNE COUNTY. 113
John T. Mackenzie, D. W. Parshall, Lyman Sherwood, William Sis-
son, William Van Marter, John N. York.
Newark.— Stephen Culver, G. W. Middleton, L. M. Norton, S. K.
Williams (still in practice.)
Palmyra. — W. F. Aldrich, Ornon Archer, Joseph W. Corning,
James Peddie, S. B. Mclntyre, J. F. Harrison, G. W. Cuyler, Frederick
Smith.
Red Creek.— J. B. Decker. Sodus.— C. C. Teal. South Butler.— A.
S. Wood. Wolcott.— Chauncey F. Clark.
Very few of these are now living. In 1860 the number had increased
to fifty-five, and at the present time (1894) there are fifty-three as
follows :
Lyons. — Chester G. Blaine, Frank Brown, Dwight S. Chamberlain,
John L. Cole, Thaddeus W. Collins, Thaddeus W. Collins, jr., James
W. Dunwell, Burton Hammond, William Kreutzer, William U.
Kreutzer, George Kent, Edson W. Hamm, William R. Mason, Charles
H. Ray, John W. Van Etten. Palmyra. —David S. Aldrich, jr., Fred
E. Converse, Henry R. Durfee, Mark C. Finley, Addison W. Gates,
Murganzy Hopkins, Charles McLouth, Samuel B. Mclntyre, Samuel
N. Sawyer, Pliny T. Sexton, George Tinklepaugh. Newark. — Edwin
K. Burnham, Marvin I. Greenwood, Joseph Gilbert, C. W. Esty, Edgar
D. Miller, Luther M. Norton, Henry L. Rupert, Byron C. Williams,
Stephen K. Williams. Clyde. — George O. Baker, George W. Cowles,
Thomas Robinson, Charles T. Saxton, De Lancey Stow. Wolcott. —
Jefferson W. Hoag, Edward H. Kellogg, Joel Fanning, Anson S; Wood,
William Roe, George S. Horton, A. C. Brink. Sodus.— Mync M.
Kelly, Benjamin B. Seaman. Red Creek. — Jacob B. Decker, Charles
O. Peterson. Marion. — Henry R. Taber. Lincoln. — Charles E.
Yale.
The Wayne County Bar Association was organized November 10,
1890, with the following officers: S. B. Mclntyre, president; John
Vandenburg and William Roe, vice-presidents; Burton Hammond,
secretary; Henry R. Durfee, treasurer; S. B. Mclntyre,. T. W. Col-
lins, George W. Cowles, and L. M. Norton, executive committee.
One of the most conspicuous figures at the bar of Wayne county
was Theron R. Strong. He was born at Salisbury, Conn. , November
7, 1802. His father was Martin Strong, for many years a State
senator and county judge of Litchfield county, Conn. His grand-
15
11 1 LANDMARKS OF
father was Judge Adonijah Strong, who was also a colonel in the
Revolutionary war.
Theron R. Strong was intended for other than professional pursuits,
but his inherited love of the law led him to its study and finally after
much opposition he was permitted to pursue his studies in the justly
celebrated law school of Judge Gould in Litchfield for one year. He
then sought the West, as it was then called, and for a time located in
Washington county, where, in the office of Cornelius L. Allen, later a
justice of the Supreme Court, he continued his studies. After admis-
sion to the bar he sought a permanent location, and with means in-
sufficient to support himself in one of the cities of the State, he finally
selected Palmyra as his field of practice.
His early years were those of struggle and hardship, and his slender
means were often at so low an ebb as to deprive him of the necessaries
of life. But his sterling worth, although hidden by a natural diffi-
dence and modesty, was soon discovered and, equipped with a thorough
familiarity with legal principles, he won the confidence of and attracted
as clients the most desirable citizens of Wayne county. He was as-
sociated many years in business with Hon. O. H. Palmer, and the firm
of Strong & Palmer was for many years among the leaders of Wayne
county. Many years subsequently the late Hon. Oscar Craig was his
partner in Rochester, as was subsequently the late George M. Mum-
ford.
He was chosen in 1831 district attooney. In 1839 he was elected
member of Congress. In 1842 he became member of assembly and in
1851 he was elected justice of the Supreme Court. He filled this posi-
tion eight years, during one of which he sat as judge of the Court of
Appeals. His record in that tribunal is indicated by the fact that of
all the opinions from the eight members of the court regarded as valu-
able for publication, the greatest number came from his pen, excepting
only three written by Judge Denio.
In his early years his office was sought by two students who not only
absorbed their law in his society, but also shared his hardships, sleep-
ing in the same bed and cutting the wood for the office fire. One was
Hon. William W. Campbell, later a judge of the Supreme Court, and
the other Hon. Thomas M. Cooley, late chief justice of the Supreme
Court of Michigan, chief interstate commerce commissioner, and
author of learned works on municipal law and constitutional limitation.
WAYNE COUNTY. 115
Judge Strong, after retiring from the bench, practiced several years
with conspicuous success in Rochester, N. Y., and subsequently with
even greater success in New York city. His grasp of legal principles,
his remarkably soimd judgment, his power of application, his patient
industry, his unassuming and courteous demeanor, won for him as a
practitioner unlimited confidence and commanded for him as a judge
the respect and regard of the bar; and among all classes in Wayne
count}*, the name of Theron R. Strong was synonymous with the high-
est qualities of Christian citizenship. He died in New York city on
May 14, 1873, honored by the bench and bar of that city.
Ezra Jewell was probably the first lawyer in Lyons, and must have
been one of the earliest in the county. He came in about 1812 and
died about 1822. He held the office of judge in Ontario county, of
which Wayne then formed a part.
Graham H. Chapin was a prominent lawyer of early times, who came
to Lyons about 1819. He was a graduate of Yale and a man of more
than ordinary ability. He was elected to the Twenty-fourth Congress
and served with credit one term.
Gen. William H. Adams, although not so conspicuous at the bar of
Wayne county as some others, owing to his devotion to public and
private interests in other directions, was nevertheless for many years
one of the leading men in the community. Born in Berkshire, Mass.,
in May, 1787, he began law practice in Canandaigua long before
Wayne county was created. He was an officer in the war of 1812 and
in 1820 settled in Lyons as a partner of Hugh Jamison, the firm soon
securing a large and successful business for those times. For twenty-
five years these men were well in the front of the local bar. Mr.
Adams was a warm and active supporter of the Erie Canal project and
eventually sunk his competence in an effort to construct the Sodus
Canal, an account of which is given elsewhere in this volume. He held
the office of district attorney in 1823, 1&30, and was county judge in
1846. Public spirited, full of business energy, General Adams accom-
plished much good in this county. He died in Alloway April 7, 1865.
Hiram K. Jerome settled in Palmyra as an attorney in 1823 and soon
assumed a leading position at the bar. In 1848 he ran on the Whig
ticket under the new constitution for judge of the Supreme Court, but
was defeated through a bolt at Canandaigua. This was a grievous
disappointment to him, and as he had already engaged to some extent
in produce business, he still further neglected his practice for that
116 LANDMARKS OF
occupation. He was not successful and removed to Bloomington,
111., where he practiced to about 1860, when he returned to Rochester,
N. Y., but remained there only a short time. Again locating in
Palmyra he opened a law office, but not securing the business he de-
sired he again went to Rochester, where he died about fifteen years
ago. He held the office of county judge of Wayne county one term
beginning in 1840.
Lyman Sherwood, who died in Lyons, September 2, 1865, at the age
of sixty-three years, was a prominent member of the bar and judiciary
of Wayne county. He was for many years at the head of the law firm
of Sherwood & Smith, which was in the front rank in Western New
York. Originally a Democrat in politics, Mr. Sherwood gave his
allegiance to the Republicans upon the organization of that party and
remained in its ranks until his death. He was elected surrogate in
1833. In 1842 he was appointed to the State Senate, vice Mark H.
Sibley resigned. In the fall of 1859 he was elected county judge and
surrogate, holding the office until 1863. Judge Sherwood is remem-
bered as a man of good ability and extremely conscientious in perform-
ing what he considered his duty ; he was consequently highly esteemed,
not only in his profession, but by the public at large. He was father
of Lyman Sherwood, long a well-known citizen of Lyons, father of
Mr. Sherwood, now publisher of the Lyons Republican.
John M. Holly was born in Connecticut, November 10, 1802; entered
Yale in 1818, studied law in the Litchfield Law School and in the offices
of his uncle, Orville L. Holley, of Lyons, and Joseph Kirkland, of
Utica, and was admitted to the bar in 1825. He began practice at once
in Buffalo, but a year later located in Wayne count}7, where he attained
a prominent position, and was honored by his fellow citizens. He was
for a period partner with Graham H. Chapin. In 1831 he was chosen
district attorney and again in 1842. In 1841 he was elected to the
Legislature. In 1847 he was elected to Congress, but his health had
been broken and his very promising career was cut short by death at
Jacksonville, Fla., March 8, is is.
John H. Camp was born in Ithaca, April 4, 1840, and graduated from
the Albany Law School at the age of twenty- one. He located in Lyons
in 1861 and entered the office of Justice Robert Ashley, and in L863
went into the office of the surrogate. Mr. Camp began his political career
early in life by stumping the district for Lincoln in 1860. He was an
eloquent and persuasive speaker and he soon gained a considerable in-
WAYNE COUNTY. 117
fluencein political circles. He was soon made chairman of the County
Committee. He was elected district attorney in November, 18G7, and
served with credit one term. In 1872 he was a presidential elector,
and in 1876 was elected to Congress, where he served three terms with
marked ability. In 1883 he was a candidate for justice of the Supreme
Court, but failed of election. through factional differences. From 1877
to his death Mr. Camp was senior in the firm of Camp & Dunwell,
one of the foremost legal firms in Western New York. Mr. Camp was
attorney for the N. Y. C. railroad. In 1891 he was admitted to practice
in the U. S. Supreme Court. He died in October, 1892.
Conspicuous among the early lawyers and judges of Wayne county
was William Sisson. He settled in Lyons about the year 1816, and
soon entered the front rank of practitioners. He long held the office
of justice of the peace and was also master in chancery. In 1830 he
was appointed judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and held the office
with credit to himself and satisfaction to his fellow citizens for the long
period of seventeen years. He was a Democrat in politics, but never
an aspirant for political office nor especially active in the political field.
•He became noted for the correctness of his decisions and his earnest-
ness and persistent study to enable himself to do nothing but justice in
all cases that came before him. His children were three sons and a
daughter. He died in Lyons, December 7, 1863, at the age of seventy-
six years.
Coles Bashford, a native of Putnam county, N. Y., came to Lyons
with his parents in 1822. He was educated in the seminary at Lima,
studied law and was admitted to practice in 1842. He advanced
rapidly in his profession, and was elected district attorney in 1847. In
1850 he removed to Wisconsin, and in 1863 to Arizona, where he died
April 25, 1878. He became conspicuous as a politician and office
holder in the West.
R. W. Ashley died in Lyons, December 12, 1863, at the age of forty-
six years. He was a son of Dr. Ashley, an early physician, studied
law with Judge Sherwood and became a popular and successful
attorney. He was justice of the peace about fifteen years.
W. F. Aldrich was born in Mendon, Mass., October 22, 1815. He
came to Palmyra while young and while clerk in the collector's office,
took up the study of law. He subsequently entered the office of Judge
Theron R. Strong, and began practice in 1839. He had as partners at
different periods George W. Cuyler, a Mr. Hopkins (a brilliant young
118 LANDMARKS OF
lawyer who died early in his career), Thomas Ninde, and finally Charles
McLouth, with whom he became associated in 1858, and continued
until 18G6. In that year he went to New York city and substantially
made that his residence, gaining a large practice. He was elected dis-
trict attorney of Wayne county in 1861. Besides his law business in
New York, Mr. Aldrich assisted in organizing the Union Trust Com-
pany and was its secretary. He was also appointed b)r the courts re-
ceiver for large estates. He died November 14, 1878.
James Peddie was a native of Fulton county, N. Y. He came to
Palmyra after having taught school a few years, and began practice.
He was a Democrat in politics, a speaker of considerable ability, gener-
ous hearted, and became very popular. He held the office of town
superintendent of schools and justice of the peace. Late in life he re-
turned to his native place and died there.
L. S. Ketchum was conspicuous in the early bar of the county. He
was probably a native of Chautauqua county and settled in Clyde early
in his career. He was elected judge of the county in 1851, and re-
elected in 1856, holding the office eight successive years. He married
Mary Young of Marion. Judge Ketchum was noted among his
brethren for his kindness and consideration towards young lawyers
who appeared before him ; for his unfailing generosity, and for a sturdy
and outspoken honesty which would never permit any misrepresenta-
tions of witnesses or other questionable practices by attorneys. Several
local lawyers studied in his office who subsequently became prominent.
Among them are George W. Cowles, of Clyde, and Charles Mc-
Louth, of Palmyra. He was quite prominent in politics and altogether
attained a position of honor among his fellow citizens. He died in
Clyde about twenty years since.
George H. Middleton came to Wayne county from New London,
Conn., either with or about the same time of his father who settled
first in Newark village. The father died in the town. The son had
been admitted to practice before his removal to Wayne county, and for
many years was one of the leading lawyers of this section. He was
elected county judge in 1847 and held the office one term. He was
twice married, his second wife being a sister of H. K. Jerome. Judge
Middleton removed to Syracuse where he died.
William S. Stow was born in Middlebury, Vt., October 6, 1797;
studied law with Elisha Williams in Hudson, N. Y., and was admitted
to the bar August 19, 1818. He began his practice in Cherry Valley
WAYNE COUNTY. Ill)
in 1819; removed to Bainbridge, N. Y., in 1820, where he married a
sister of William S. De Zeng, and removed to Clyde in 1825. He was
a man of very active mind and possessed good ability as a lawyer. He
was one of the founders of St. John's Episcopal church in 1840; a trus-
tee of Clyde High School at its organization in 1835; was for thirty-
eight years a warden and vestrymen in St. John's church; twenty-eight
years a delegate to the Diocesan Council, and was a persistent collector
of local historical material. He was a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity from 1823 until his death. His son, De Lancey Stow, is now
in practice in Clyde.
Clark Mason was born in West Woodstock, Conn., in 1809, and came
to Newark in 1828. He lived there until 1863, when he was elected
county clerk and removed to Lyons. He studied law and was admitted
to the bar in 1850 and practiced in Lyons, where he died in January 30,
1882. From 1829 to 1863 he was a justice of the peace in Newark, and
was six years a member of the Board of Education in Lyons; he was
also justice of the peace in the latter town from 1878 to 1882. He
married in 1847 Emeline Petrie, who survived him.
Charles D. Lawton was a native of Newport, R. I., where he was
born September 7, 1802. He was educated at Hamilton College, and
studied law with Hiram K. Jerome, of Palmyra, and was admitted
about 1831. In 1833 he began practice in Clyde. In 1837 he was ad-
mitted to practice in the Supreme Court.- Elected district attorney, he
removed to Lyons in 1844 and in 1848 went to New York city where
he was in practice with his brother Cyrus. About a year later he re-
turned to Clyde, where he died August 31, 1877. He was a lawyer of
good ability and high ideals of his profession.
Hon. Horatio N. Taft was born in Savoy, Mass., in 1806 and came to
Lyons in 1822, where he was one of the founders of the Union school.
He was admitted to the bar and advanced in his profession. In 1845
he was elected judge and in .1846 was sent to Congress. In 1876 he
was appointed chief examiner in the U. S. patent office. He left
Washington in 1866 and for about twelve, years was one of the editorial
staff of the Scientific American. He subsequently settled in Sag
Harbor.
Luther M. Norton, of Newark, was born in Groveland, Livingston
county, N. Y., in February, 1832. He studied law in Mt. Morris in
that county and was admitted to the bar in December, 1855. He re-
moved to Newark and for one year was a partner with the late Judge
120 LANDMARKS OF
George H. Middleton. He soon assumed a prominent position as a gen-
eral practitioner, and took considerable interest in politics. He held the
office of justice of sessions and in 1870 was elected county judge and
surrogate, holding the office one term. In 1892 he was again elected
to the same office and is the present incumbent. Judge Norton enjoys
the confidence and respect of the county bar and the public at large.
Charles H. Roys was born in Lyons in 1837 and was adopted when
a child by his maternal grandfather, Samuel Westfall. He graduated
from Hamilton College in 1861; raised a company of volunteers in
Clinton and went to the war as lieutenant; was promoted to a captain
in 117th Regiment and brevetted major. Returning he studied law
with John T. McKenzie, in Lyons. He was elected district attorney
in 1870. Mr. Roys is a brilliant orator, well versed in the principles
of his profession and has had a successful career.
Thomas Robinson was born in Rose in 1837. He was a son of Henry
Robinson, a native of Ireland, who settled in Rose in 1835, and died in
1874. The son was educated in Red Creek Academy and Falley
Seminary; was elected school commissioner in I860 and served four
years, meanwhile reading law with George W. Cowles; was admitted
in 1865, and remained in the office with Judge Cowles until 1881, when
he began practice by himself. He was elected State senator in the
fall of 1883 and served two years.
George H. Arnold was a promising young attorney of Lyons whose
career was closed by death at the age of thirty-seven years; he died
July 2, 1867. He was a graduate of the law school at Poughkeepsie
and began practice in the office of Smith & Cornell in Lyons.
In Part II of this volume will be found personal sketches of numer-
ous other living attorneys of Wayne county.
WAYNE COUNTY. I'-'l
CHAPTER XL
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
Wayne County Medical Society — Wayne County Homeopathic Medical Society —
Sketches and Reminiscences.
Previous to the formation of Wayne county the medical profession
was, of course, under the jurisdiction of the Ontario County Society,
which had its origin early in the present century. There is now no prac-
ticable means of learning the number of members of that society, or the
officers, if any, who were from within the present limits of Wayne
county, except as they maybe inferred from the list of those who shared
in organizing the Wayne County Society.
A meeting of physicians and surgeons was held, pursuant to a call,
in the Presbyterian Church in Lyons on June 2, 1823, for the purpose of
organizing a medical society in the new county. Dr. Gain Robinson
was chosen to preside, and William White acted as secretary. The fol-
lowing named persons were found competent and authorized to practice
medicine, and enrolled their names : Seth Tucker, C. S. Button, Samuel
Moore, Abraham L. Beaumont, Robert W. Ashley, Daniel Chapman,
William White, Joseph P. Roberts, Henry Hyde, Elisha Mather, Levi
Gaylord, Gain Robinson, Durfee Chase, Allen H. Howland, John Lewis,
William A. Gilbert, J. B. Pierce, Henry C. Hickox, Jonathan Corwin,
Morris T. Jewell, Timothy Johnson, and John R. Taintor.
This made a membership of twenty-two. The election of officers fol-
lowed with this result: President, Gain Robinson; vice-president, John
Lewis; secretary, William White; treasurer, Elisha Mather; censors,
J. B. Pierce, sr. , A. L. Beaumont, Robert Ashley, Morris T. Jewell,
Durfee Chase.
The preparation of by-laws for the society was entrusted to a commit-
tee consisting of Seth Tucker, J. B. Pierce, and William White. Will-
iam H. Adams and Alexander R. Tiffany were admitted honorary mem-
bers of the society and chosen its attorneys. A committee was also
selected to procure a society seal, to bear the symbol of a lancet.
16
122 LANDMARKS OF
It was determined to hold two meetings each year, in Jime and in
February. At the second meeting, which was held in Sodus, four new
members were elected: Alexander Mclntyre, Josiah Bennett, Jacob S.
Arden, and Hiram Mann. After this meetings were held in the vari-
ous more prominent villages of the county.
That the Wayne County Medical Society early determined to open a
war upon illegal practitioners is indicated by the fact that at the meet-
ing held in Newark in 1824 a committee was appointed from each town
to report illegal practitioners to the attorneys of the society, and a reso-
lution was adopted that a fine of twenty-five dollars be imposed upon
any member who should in any way assist or countenance such illegal
practice. This was an unusually severe penalty for an offense that in
early times was often difficult to avoid. A resolution was adopted at a
later meeting, that representatives of the county in the Legislature be
requested to endeavor to secure the passage of the law making it a
felony to practice illegally. The beneficent law of 1880, which makes
it imperative for every physician intending to practice in any county to
register his name, place and date of birth, when and where graduated,
etc., in the county clerk's office, renders such regulations unnecessary in
these later times, and at the same time supplies a record which may be
read by both professional and layman.
Eight new members were admitted to the society in June, 1824. At
the annual meeting of 1825, held in Newark, an effort was inaugurated
to procure the removal of the medical college at Fairfield, Herkimer
county, to some point farther west, with the expectation that it might
be ultimately located in Wayne county. The annual meeting of 1826
was held in Palmyra, and Dr. Alexander Mclntyre was chosen as the
first delegate to the New York State Medical Society.
During the period between the formation of the society and 1840 this
society seems to have experienced a period of prosperity and activity,
during which 117 members were admitted; but the act of May G, 1S44,
removing to a great extent the restrictions on physicians, and ignoring
their qualifications, struck a severe blow at all medical societies, and for
a few years the Wayne society was discouraged. About 1S50 interest
again awakened, members became active and earnest in working for
the general welfare and good reputation of this profession, and the so-
ciety has flourished ever since. Many able and important papers have
been prepared and read before the society by its officers and members.
In 1SS4 this society withdrew from the New York State Medical So-
•J^-t^-^C I £^<^__
WAYNE COUNTY. 123
ciety and joined the New York State Medical Association, of which it
has since been a member.
The successive presidents of the Wayne county society have been as
follows: Gain Robinson, 1823-26; Robert W. Ashley, 1827; J. B. Pierce,
1 828 ; Gain Robinson, 1 829-30 ; Robert W. Ashley, 1831 ; John Delamatcr,
1832-34; A. Mclntyre, 1835-38; J. M. Wilson, 1839-41; A. Mclntyre,
1842-43; Nelson Peck, 1844-45; Dr. Gaylord, sr., 1846; A. Mclntyre.
1847-8; J. B. Pierce, 1849; from 1850 to 1876 the following: C. G. Pom-
eroy, Darwin Colvin, L. M. Gaylord, S. Weed, E. W. Bottom, J. E.
Smith, A. F. Sheldon; C. M. Kingman, 1876; J. N. Arnold,. 1877 ; L.
S. Sprague, 1878; Alexander Sayres, 1879; H. F. Seaman, 1880; L. A.
Crandall, 1881; C. G. Pomeroy, 1882; J. W. Putman, 1883; D. B. Hor-
ton, 1884; Darwin Colvin, 1885; D. B. Horton, 1886; J. W. Arnold,
1887; W. J. Hennessy, 1888; N. E. Landon, 1889; A. A. Young, 1890;
George D. York, 1891; M. E. Carmen, 1892; Darwin Colvin, 1893.
The annual meeting of this society for 1894 was held at the court-
house in Lyons on July 10. The annual address was read by the presi-
dent, Dr. Darwin Colvin, on the subject: "Medical Men and Medical
Literature Fifty Years Ago." It was a valuable and interesting paper.
Committees were appointed to prepare resolutions of respect and sym-
pathy upon the death of Drs. John A. Patterson, of Harwick, Mass.,
and Frank PI. Finley, of Macedon. A vote of thanks was tendered the
retiring secretary, Dr. J. M. Turner, for her long and faithful service.
The following officers were chosen for the ensuing year; Dr. L. H.
Smith, of Palmyra, president; Dr. T. H. Hallett, of Rose, vice-presi-
dent; Dr. A. A. Young, of Newark, secretary; Dr. Darwin Colvin, of
Clyde, treasurer; Drs. M. A. Veeder, N. E. Landon. W. J. Hennessey,
and A. A. Arnold, censors ; S. B. Mclntyre, esq. , of Palmyra, attorney.
Following is a list of the members of the society for 1894: Thomas
H. Hallett, Rose; Charles H. Towlerton, Lyons; M. Alice Brownell,
Newark; L. A. Crandall, Palmyra; J. N. Arnold, Clyde; J. W. At-
wood, Marion; G. D. Barrett, Clyde; H. N. Burr, Palmyra; H. L.
Chase, Palmyra; Darwin Colvin, Clyde; E. H. Draper, Wolcott; W.
J. Hennessey, Palmyra; N. E. Landon, Newark; James W. Putnam,
Lyons; H. F. Seaman, Alton; A. F. Sheldon, Lyons; J. E. Smith,
Clyde; L. H. Smith, Palmyra; J. L. Sprague, L. S. Sprague, William-
son; Miss J. M. Turner, M. H. Veeder, Lyons; George D. York, Hu-
ron; A. A. Young, Newark; M. E. Carmen, Lyons; Frank S. Barton,
Clyde; F. L. Wilson, Sodus; M. W. T. Negus, South Sodus; W. F.
Nutten, Newark,
124 LANDMARKS OF
The society now holds annual meetings on the 2d Tuesday of July,
at which officers are elected, and semi-annual meetings on the 2d Tues-
day of January. Since L880, 194 physicians have registered in the
county clerk's office in Lyons.
Wayne Count\- Homeopathic Medical Society. — Ever since the intro-
duction into this country of the school of medical practice founded by
Hahnemann, Wayne county has had its representatives, and among
them have been men of high character and intelligence, who have been
favored with large practice. All this is indicated by the fact that as
early as 1864, on February 9, a society of physicians of this school was
organized at Lyons, at the office of Dr. S. D. Sherman. Dr. M. P.
Sweeting, at South Butler, was chosen chairman. The society organ-
ized by the election of the following officers : I hirfee Chase, president;
M. V. Sweeting, vice-president; E. R. Heath, secretary and ti'easurer.
A code of by-laws and a constitution was prepared and at a later meet-
ing was adopted. It was at first determined to hold semi-annual meet-
ings, and afterwards quarterly. Besides the officers before named the
following constituted the original membership: A. G. Austen, O. C.
Parsons, S. B. Sherman, L. Goedicke, and A. P. Troop. At the pres-
ent time (1894) the society has twelve members. The last body of of-
ficers was elected in 1880 as follows: President, J. A. Reed, of Newark;
secretary, William H. Sweeting, of Savannah. Dr. Sweeting has held
the office of secretary continuously, since 1881. The following have
held the office of president of this society: Drs. Durfee Chase, 1864- (55:
S. I). Sherman, 1866: M. F. Sweeting, 1867-73-76 ; A. G. Austin, 1868
-69; S. D. Sherman, 1870-71; W. B. Brown, 1872; G. C. Childs, is;;
?9; H. P. Van Deusen, L880-85; J. C. McPherson, 1881-84; D. Mc-
Pherson, L886-88; J. A. Reed, 1889.
Biographical memoranda of the early physicians of Wayne county is
very difficult to obtain, excepting in such instances as it has been con-
tributed by direct descendants. Even then it is often fragmentary and
incomplete.
In the original town of Wolcott Dr. Zenas Hyde was prominent as a
physician and useful as a citizen. His first settlement was made in
what is now the town of Huron, in January, L808. A child of his was
the second person born in the town. In the winter following he per-
formed the first surgical operation in that town by amputating the leg
of I laniel Grand)-, which had been badly crushed by a falling tree. It
is a tradition that the doctor had no regfular surgical instruments and
WAYNE COUNTY. 125
cut the off leg with a razor, a handsaw, and a darning needle, and that the
operation was successful. He was afterwards taken to task by his pro-
fessional brethren for working with such unorthodox instruments.
Artemas W. Hyde was a doctor who settled very early in the town
of Arcadia, but probably practiced very little, if at all. He built a tav-
ern at Hydeville, which he kept as a popular resort during his life.
The first physician in Lyons was Dr. Prescott, and came probably as
early as 1800. A Dr. Willis also settled there, but did not like the
prospect and went away. Dr. William Ambler located there a little
later and lived in a log house on the corner of Broad and Pearl streets.
He afterwards removed to Sodus.
Dr. Pierce was in practice about fifty years in Lyons, and died in the
village. Dr. E. Ware Sylvester located in Lyons as a dentist, though
he was educated as a regular physician. He practiced many years,
and finally established the Lyons nurseries, and was instrumental in
developing the fruit industry of the county.
Dr. Edward Wheeler Bottum was born in Red Hook, N. Y. , June
22, 1811. He graduated from the Castleton (Vt. ) Medical College,
began practice in Victory, N. Y., removed to Huron, and settled in
Lyons in 1856, where he was afterwards associated with Dr. William
G. David, and Drs. Chamberlain, Gillette and Veeder. He was a
member of the New York State and Wayne County Medical Societies,
and was member of Assembly in 1851. He died February 29, 1888.
Dr. Hiram D. Vosburg was born in Herkimer county in 1831, attend-
ed Fairfield Academy, moved to Macedon in 1849, and the next year
began the study of medicine in Palmyra with Dr. Hoyt. He gradu-
ated from the medical college at Pittsfield, Mass., in 1853. He also
studied law and was admitted to the bar. In 1862 he went into the
army as surgeon of the 8th New York Cavalry, was disabled and assigned
to Columbia Hospital, Washington. In 1865 he settled in Monroe
county, and in 1870 removed to Lyons, where he died, March 25, 1870.
Dr. Fletcher J. Sherman practiced in Lyons from about 1881 to the
date of his death in October, 1887. He was born in 1852, graduated at
the Rochester University in 1876, and studied his profession in the
New York College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Dr. Richard P. Williams was an early physician in Newark, and built
the house afterwards occupied by Dr. Charles G. Pomeroy. Dr. Button
was also located early in Newark.
126 LANDMARKS OF
Dr. Charles G. Pomeroy was a native of Madison county, N. Y. , and
settled in Fairville in L838, where he practiced seven years, and then
located in Newark. He was for many years a leading- physician in this
county, was president of the Medical Society many times, and a mem-
ber of the State Medical Society,
Dr. William N. Lummis migrated from Philadelphia to Sodus Point
in 1804, and was among the very early and prominent physicians of
what is now Wayne county. He was born in Woodbury, N. J., April
15, 1755. He had previously explored more or less of the Genesee
country, and selected Sodus for his home. When the war of 1812
began he removed two miles west, where he built mills and a forge.
His former house at the Point was burned during the attack of the
British. He held various town offices, and was in all respects a public-
spirited and useful citizen. Turner's History says of Dr. Lummis:
"To indefatigable industry and perseverance he added extraordinary
business talent, and to a vigorous intellect he added a thorough edu-
cation, cultivated literary tastes and pursuits, which, in hours of relax-
ation from the sterner duties of life, made him an agreeable and in-
structive companion." He died April 1G, 1833.
Dr. Thomas G. Lawson, from England, was an early settler at Sodus
Point, where he purchased lands and spent money freely in their im-
provement. Pie returned to England after a few years.
Other early physicians of Sodus were: Drs. Coon, Gibbs, and Johnson.
After 1810 Dr. Elisha Mather practiced in the town. He was from
Saybrook, Conn., located first on a farm, and in 1821 settled in Sodus
Center, where his son afterwards resided. Dr. Levi Gaylord, who died
in 1852, practiced thirty years in the community, and left his son, Dr.
Levi M. Gaylord, to follow in his footsteps. He was born March \!T,
1823, and died in Sodus, January 20, 1890, where he had practiced
about forty-five years. Dr. H. H. Ostrom was the pioneer physician at
Alton, and father of Dr. H. Ostrom. Dr. P. S. Rose, a native of
( )neida county, settled at Sodus Center in 1847. Dr. John C. Lamont,
a native of Edinburgh, Scotland graduated from the College of
Physicians and Surgeons, New York, and settled in Sodus to begin
practice in 1871; he died December 13, 1887. He was a prominent
Mason.
Dr. Darwin Colvin, of Clyde, comes of a family distinguished for
professional ability and honor. His father was Dr. Nathan P. Colvin,
formerly of- Washington county, N. Y., who was in practice more than
WAYNE COUNTY. 127
sixty years. The ancestors of the family came from Rhode Island. Dr.
Colvin was born on the Gth of July, 1822. When nine years of age his
father moved from Washington county to Wayne county. The son at-
tended the academy at Clyde. Then for three years he was under
special instruction in the classics with a view of preparing himself for
West Point United States Military Academy. He was, however, born
to be a physician. For awhile he was in a drug store, then he com-
menced studying medicine with his father, and later still with his uncle,
Dr. Robert T. Paine, who was associated with his father in the practice
of medicine. In January, 1844, he graduated from the Geneva Medical
College, and commenced practiced at Clyde. He was associated with
his father for about five years. Then he moved to the office he now
occupies on the corner of Sodus and Genesee streets. In this office he
has practiced for thirty-three continous years. In 1845 he was united
in marriage to a daughter of Dr. Linus Ely, of Seneca county. He has
one child, who is the wife of George J. Oaks, a merchant of Rochester.
Dr. Colvin 's devotion to the Democratic party has been very marked.
Many times has he gone to county and State conventions. In 1874 he
became a member of the State Democratic Committee and remained as
such until the close of 1876. This was, as will be remembered, the be-
ginning of the Tilden campaign. The doctor was an ardent supporter
of the governor throughout these years. Many years ago Dr. Colvin
was nominated by the Democrats to the office of county coroner. He
has spent three years as a member of the School Board, and recently
has received the appointment of Regents' examiner, and will assist the
principal in conducting all regent examinations. For many years he
was health officer of the village. Four times was he elected president
of the village, during the years of '65, '66, '67 and '77. In 1850 he be-
came connected with the Wayne County Medical Society, and served as
secretary and president. Now he is its treasurer. About 1850 the
society became considerably demoralized, and he was in conjunction
with Dr. Pomeroy of Newark principally instrumental in reorganizing
it. He was a member of the old New York State Medical Society, and
is now a retired permanent member of that society. He is at present
a member of the New York State Medical Association, having been at
its organization, seven years ago, one of its founders. He has been
vice-president of the Fourth District, and a delegate to the Pennsylvania
State Society. For many years he has been a member of the American
Medical Association, and in 1887 was by acclamation elected its second
128 LANDMARKS OF
vice-president. Frequently has Dr. Colvin been a contributor to med-
ical journals. In 1885 he was appointed by Governor Hill a member of
the Board of Trustees of the New York State Custodial Asylum for
feeble-minded women, at Newark, N. Y., and is still a member. Dr.
Colvin on many occasions has been called upon to testify as an expert
in insanity and other cases, and has now a large consultation practice.
He is a gentleman who is still in active practice, and though in some-
what advanced life, is both in professional and political circles a power
in the land.
Dr. William Greenwood settled in Ontario village in 181,1, as the pio-
neer physician of that town, and he continued in practice until his death
in 1829. He was much respected as a physician and as a citizen.
A Dr. Bigelow settled in Williamson before 1815, and was, perhaps,
the first physician in the town. After seven or eight years he sold out
to Dr. Josiah Bennett, who practiced there until his death, being the
second physician in the town. Dr. Bennett came in 1815. He was
the father of Hon. John P. and Charles Bennett, who reside in Will-
iamson village. John B. Bennett is the foremost citizen of the town;
he held the office of sheriff, member of assembly in 1890, and has been
supervisor since 1879.
Dr. Gain Robinson was practicing in Palmyra in 1812, and was prob-
ably preceded a few years by Dr. Reuben Town. Dr. Robinson was
from Massachusetts and continued in practice until his death in 1830.
He also conducted the first drug store in the village. Dr. L. Cowen
also practiced early in that village and carried on a drug store.
Dr. Peter Valentine settled in what is now the town of Rose about
!Sli). He was the first postmaster, appointed in 1827, the office being
named "Valentine's," afterwards "Albion," and finally " Rose." Dr.
Valentine was the first physician in the town and the first supervisor.
Dr. John J. Dickson, born in 1807, practiced medicine in Rose forty-
five years. He was justice of the peace twenty years, and was a mem-
ber of the Legislature in 1845. He settled in the town about 1829, and
died in 1874.
Hon. Allen S. Russell was educated as a physician in the College of
Physicians and Surgeons, New York, graduating with honor in 1864.
He served as assistant surgeon and brigade surgeon in the Civil War.
Returning to Marion he engaged in practice and has carried on a drug
business. He was elected to the Assembly in L875 and again in the fol-
lowing year.
WAYNE COUNTY. 129
Dr. James M. Wilson, of Wolcott, was born in Washington county in
L807. He graduated from the Vermont Medical College in 1829, and
soon afterward settled in Huron. Three years later he located in Wol-
cott, where he was very successful in his practice. He was supervisor
ten years; was elected to the assembly in 1842 and in 1850. In 184(3 he
was the candidate of the Democratic party for member of Congress, but
was defeated by a small majority. He died August 17, 1881. His son,
Benjamin Wilson, is also a successful physician.
Dr. Alfred P. Crafts was born in Cherry Valley, N. Y., in 1826; grad-
uated from Union College in 1851, and from the Buff alo Medical College
in 1855, He was appointed assistant surgeon at Washington in 1862,
and after the close of the war settled in Wolcott. He had previously
practiced in Sodus and Huron. He was elected to the Assembly in 1879.
He died in Wolcott, December 18, 1880.
Dr. S. Hiram Plumb was born in Greenfield, N. Y. , February 19,
1819. He attended lectures in the medical department of the Univer-
sity of New York, and began practice in 1846. He enlisted from Vic-
tor, N. Y., in the 24th N. Y. Volunteers, and later was made surgeon
of the 82d Regiment, still later was brigade surgeon of the 1st Brigade,
2d Corps, and chief of the operating staff of the division. During the
last year of the war he was surgeon-in-chief of the 2d Division, 2d Corps,
with rank of colonel. Mustered out in June, 1865, he returned to Red
Creek, where he died full of professional honor August 13, 1880.
Dr. David Arne went to Wolcott village in early years. He was act-
ive, capable, and very ambitious, soon acquiring a large practice. He
also was active in public affairs, held the office of justice of the peace,
and subsequently was side judge of the County Court. He was the first
supervisor of the present town of Wolcott in 1826, and was member of
assembly one term. He finally removed to Auburn, N. Y., and died
there. His son, George H. Arne, resided in Wolcott, and built a fine
residence on New Hartford street.
Dr. RomainC. Barless, twin brother of Rollin C, was born in Hoosick,
N. Y., October 19, 1833, studied medicine with his father-in-law, Dr.
Thompson, of Sandy Creek, and began practice in Rose Valley in 1858.
He served as a musician three years in the 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery,
and has since resided in Rose. His son, Clayton J., is owner and edi-
tor of the Farmer's Counsel and Times at Rose.
Dr. Robert Ashley, a native of Massachusetts, came to Lyons about
1805. He owned a lot on the corner of Broad and Queen streets, and
17
130 LANDMARKS OF
built a frame house there, which was afterwards sold to Lyman Sher-
wood. He was a man of fine personal appearance, and a good physi-
cian and citizen.
Dr. Charles Culver, who died in Lyons, October 18, 1854, was one of
the older and more prominent physicians of that village.
Dr. Linus Ely, of Clyde, died in that village April 30, 1864, at the
age of seventy-nine years. His professional career was long and honor-
able.
Dr. Jeremiah B. Pierce, a man of prominence both in and outside of
his profession, died in Lyons on the 10th of April, 1862, at the age of
seventy-two years.
John Knowles, sr. , practiced long in Lyons, and died there Novem-
ber 19, 1864, aged sixty-nine years.
Dr. Nelson Peck settled in Lyons about 1827. He was a public spir-
ited man and mingled considerably in political affairs, and held the of-
fice of inspector of schools many years. Kindhearted and benevolent,
he lived a long and upright life, and died much respected May 28, 1866.
Dr. William May died in Palmyra, September 10, 1865, at the age of
fifty-seven years. He was a successful physician and respected as a
man.
Dr. S. Olin was one of the older physicians of Sodus, to which town
he went in early years and died at South Sodus, April 5, 1865, aged
sixty-seven years.
Dr. Ryland J. Rogers was born in Palmyra, May 14, 1819, and be-
came a prominent practitioner. He removed to Suspension Bridge in
1854.
Dr. Hiram Mann, who died in Lyons, October 2, 1865, at the age of
seventy-seven, was not only a leading physician, but was conspicuous
in public affairs. He held the office of sheriff in 1837-40.
Dr. William G. David, of Lyons, died August 17, 1877. He was a
native of New Hampshire, a graduate of Williams College, and of the
Harvard Medical College in 1855. He settled in Lyons about 1859, was
surgeon of the 98th Regiment in the Rebellion, and was universally es-
teemed as a physician and a citizen.
Dr. Lawrence Johnson was born in Savannah in L845; left Falley
Seminary early in the late war, enlisted in the 9th Heavy Artillery, and
served to L865. Returning home he studied medicine with Dr. C. M.
Lee, of Fulton, N. Y., and at Bellevue, graduating in L868. He be-
came a leading physician, removed to New York, and died there March
is, is-.):;.
WAYNE COUNTY. 131
Dr. William Vosburg died in Lyons, June 15, 1870, aged forty-four
years. He was prominent in his profession and an excellent citizen.
Dr. George P. Livingston was born in Amsterdam, N. Y., in 1826,
and settled in Clyde in 1850, coming here from Brockport, where he had
practiced medicine and dentistry. He graduated from the Albany Medi-
cal College in 1847 ; served in the navy in the war with Mexico, stationed
at the Brooklyn navy yard; held the office of coroner nine years; and
was a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow. He died in Clyde, Decem-
ber 22, 1888.
Dr. Charles M. Kingman, who died at Centralia, Va., in April, 1886,
at the age of sixty-five years, practiced medicine in Palmyra more than
twenty years with success. He was a graduate of Hamilton College.
Dr. Hurlburt Crittenden was the first physician in Walworth in 1810.
Dr. Seth Tucker was the pioneer of his profession in Marion, and prac-
ticed there many years.
Dr. Mortimer Franklin Sweeting was born in Marcellus, Onondaga
county, N. Y., in August, 1817. He graduated as a physician from the
Geneva Medical College in 1850, and settled in South Butler in 1852,
where he succeeded Dr. Clarendon Campbell. Dr. Sweeting had a long
and successful career. He was the father of A^olney H. Sweeting, of
Lyons, and of Dr. Sweeting, of Savannah.
The reader will find in Part II. of this work personal notes of many
other physicians of the county.
CHAPTER XII.
THE PRESS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
The inhabitunts of Wayne county, as it is now constituted, were fa-
vored with local newspapers before the organization of the county, not
only those published in Cananclaigua and Geneva, but others in the vil-
lages of Palmyra and Lyons. While the newspaper death-roll in this
county is as long as usual in similar communities, it is true that public
journals have been founded here and are still in existence that give
their readers the world's news, and wield a powerful influence on the
politics, morals and general public affairs of this section of the State.
132 LANDMARKS OF
The first newspaper published in what is now Wayne county, was the
Palmyra Register, the first number of which appeared November 26,
1817. It was founded by Timothy C. Strong, who continued, with sev-
eral changes of title to October, 1823, when the business passed to
Pomeroy Tucker and E. P. Grandin ; they changed the name of the pa-
per from the Western Farmer and Canal Advocate, to the less cumber-
some title of Wayne Sentinel. Mr. Grandin soon retired from the firm,
and for nearly forty years thereafter the Sentinel enjoyed a prosperous
career, under Mr. Tucker's direction. Mr. Tucker was a native of Pal-
myra, and a man of exceptional qualifications as a politician and writer.
A firm and consistent Democrat, he gave his journal a reputation and
prestige gained by few other country newspapers, in the western part
of the State. The managers of the old Whig party in this vicinity met
in the Sentinel and its editors, foes that were valiant in the field. John
M. Francis, who became one of the leading editors of Troy, and a fore-
most journalist of the State, was with Mr. Tucker twenty-eight years,
and there learned well the details of newspaper management. Mr.
Tucker died in Palmyra, in July, 1870. Upon the organization of the
Free Soil party in 1848, the Sentinel espoused its principles and sup-
ported Van Buren. In 1852 Henry Harrington purchased the estab-
lishment, and sold it to A. J. Mathewson in 1855 and in 1857 it was
bought by W. N. Cole, who continued- the publication to 1860, when it
was discontinued.
The next paper started in Palmyra was the Palmyra Freeman, first
issued March 11, 1828, by P. D. Stephenson. Shortly afterwards it was
sold to J. A. Hadley, who removed the business to Lyons.
A monthly publication called the Reflector had an existence in Pal-
myra from 1828 to 1830. It was started by O. Dogberry, and on Jan-
uary 9, 1830, Luther Howard and Erastus Shepard began publishing
the Western Spectator and Anti-Masonic Star. It was soon afterwards
merged with the Anti-Masonic Inquirer at Rochester. The Paln^ra
Whig was begun in February, 1 838, by William A. Cole and Samuel Cole,
and in the fall of the same year was removed to Lyons.
The Palmyra Courier was established in 1838, by Frederick Morley,
who continued it to 1852, when it was sold to J. C. Benedict. In Jan-
uary, L853, B. C. Beebe bought the establishment, changed the name
of the paper to the Palmyra Democrat and in the fall of the same year
again changed it to the Palmyra American. In August, 1856, E. S.
Averill purchased the business. The Republican party was then just
WAYNE COUNTY. 133
organized and Mr. Averill restored the journal to its former name —
Palmyra Courier — and turned its support to the new party. Up to that
time little attention had been given in the local press to home news,
a condition which Mr. Averill at once corrected, enlarging his paper for
the purpose. He was promply rewarded with an increased circulation,
which encouraged him to make a second enlargement. In April, 1857,
he purchased an entire new dress for the paper and otherwise improved
it, and in the next year enlarged it, making it one of the largest as well
as one of the ablest journals in Western New York. In 1865 another
enlargement was made, and the Courier, now about forty years under
Mr. Averill's control, is still a power in the Republican party and a
source of honor and profit to its owner.
E. S. Averill, the oldest newspaper man in service in Wayne county,
was born in Albany in 1835. He was collector of canal tolls at Pal-
myra from 1863 to 1868; was postmaster in 1871-72, and has been a
member of the Palmyra Board of Education. He is married and has
four children.
The Wayne County Journal was established in Palmyra on the first
Thursday in July, 1871, by Anson B. Clemons and his son, Fred. W.
Clemons. This was the first printing office in Wayne county to intro-
duce steam power. The Journal was successful from the beginning
and earnestly and ably supported the Republican party. A. B. Clem-
ons was a writer of ability and especially well informed in political his-
tory. His death took place on May 27, 1873, the business being there-
after conducted by his son. A building, a part of which was designed
for the printing business, was erected in 1875. A fire on September 17,
1876, almost wholly destroyed the printing plant and building, but both
were promptly replaced. On the 14th of November following the front
of this structure was partially burned. During about one year the
establishment was in control of Miles Davis, but Mr. Clemons practically
owned it until about 1883, when an incendiary fire destroyed the prop-
erty and the paper was discontinued.
The Wayne County Dispatch was founded in Palmyra September 21,
1892, by F. G. Crandall, proprietor, and A. F. Du Bois, editor. The
Dispatch is Republican in politics, four pages with eight columns to
the page, and a handsome and able example of modern country jour-
nalism. It has steadily increased in circulation since its first number.
On September 1, 1893, Mr. Du Bois was succeeded in the editorial
chair by R. N. Backus, but it is now edited and published by Mr. Cran-
134 LANDMARKS OF
dall. Mr. Crandall conducted a job printing business in Palmyra since
January, 1885.
The Palmyra Democrat was founded in August, 1885, by Cole & Os-
goodby. It was a four-page, eight-column paper and supported the
Democratic party. Mr. Cole went out of the firm at the end of about
two years, but soon returned and Osgoodby retired. F. W. Cole then
continued the publication until April, 1894, when it suspended, except-
ing brief periods when he leased the office to other persons, while he
filled the position of traveling correspondent of the Buffalo Horse
World.
A Baptist journal, named The Record, was started in Palmyra by
Rev. J. R. Henderson in October, 1891, and discontinued September
12, 1893.
Purdy's Fruit Recorder and Evaporator, a quarterly, the character of
which is indicated by its title, was started in Palmyra by A. M. Purdy
several years ago, and a new series commenced in 1890. During about
a year past it has been issued monthly, with eight pages of four columns
each.
The Worker and Shareholder was started in Palmyra in May, 1889,
by F. G. Crandall, as a four-page monthly, in the interest of building
and loan associations, and kindred organizations. It is still continued
by him.
The Palmyra Journal was established in Palmyra, July 11, 1894, by
the Journal Printing Company, consisting of Edwin K. Burnham,
George W. Knowles, and John E. Weier, the latter acting as editor.
The suspension of the Democrat seemed to this company to leave a good
field for a staunch Democratic paper, and the Journal will endeavor to
occupy the field. It is a handsome, well-edited paper, and deserves the
patronage of its constituents.
John E. Weier is a native of Lewis county, and son of Rev. E. A.
Weier, who settled in Lyons as pastor of the Evangelical Church, and
died in Albany, November 11, 1890. The son learned the printing
trade in Buffalo, beginning in 1887, and continuing it in Albany and
Rochester. He located in Newark in 1S9-2, where he was associate
editor of the Newark Courier, and continued until he assumed his con-
nection with the Palmyra Journal.
The first newspaper published in Lyons began its existence prior to
the erection of Wayne county, the first number having appeared August
3, 1821, with the title of The Lyons Republican. George Lewis was
WAYNE COUNTY. 135
the publisher. The paper was 20x28 inches in size, four pages of five
columns each, two dollars per year. It contained about five columns
of advertising. This journal was short-lived, its last issue bearing date
in February, 1822.
The Lyons Advertiser was established in May, 1822, by Hiram T.
Day. In 1828 he sold out to E. J. Whitney, who changed the name of
the paper to Wayne County Patriot, and later had as partner W. W.
Whitney. In 1830 the establishment passed to Barber & Chapman,
who changed the name of the paper to The Western Argus, and made
it active in support of the anti-Masonic party of that period. Soon after-
ward Mr. Barber sold his interest to G. H. Chapin, and the new firm
continued until 1835, when the property passed to W. F. Ashley &
Company. They sold in 1838 to Ezra Jewell, who died in the next
year, and the establishment passed to Marsh & Poucher, who moved it
into what is now the rear of the Getman building on William street,
and enlarged the paper to six columns to the page. In 1841 Mr. Marsh
retired, and in September of that year William Van Camp bought the
business. In 1842 he transferred it to Charles Poucher, who removed
the office to the Center building, which now constitutes a part of the Ira
Mirick malt house. In 1849 S. W. Russell purchased the establishment
and changed the name of the paper to The Lyons Gazette. He con-
tinued it until 1852, when William Van Camp again became proprietor,
continuing to June, 1856, when he purchased from Pomeroy Tucker of
Palmyra a new establishment, from which had been issued five numbers
of The Wayne Democratic Press, and consolidated the two papers,
retaining the latter title. An additional column was put on the paper,
and an era of prosperity in its career began, which has ever since con-
tinued, and during which it has been recognized as a leading organ of
the Democratic party in Western New York. In 1869 the office was
removed to the Masonic Block. In 1872 power presses and other im-
proved facilities were added to the plant, and the paper was enlarged
to eight columns to the page. The journal continued to increase in
circulation and influence, and from 1884 to 1890 was conducted by
William and H. T. Van Camp, sons of William, sr. (before mentioned).
Since 1890 William Van Camp has conducted the business alone. The
office is admirably equipped with the best and latest improved presses,
type, etc.
William Van Camp, sr., was born in Madison county in 1820, and
went with his parents, while young, to Seneca county on a farm. He
136 LANDMARKS OF
began work at the printing- trade in Palmyra, acting as clerk in his
employer's book store evenings. He bought the Lyons Gazette, and
later of Pomeroy Tucker the Wayne County Democratic Press, and con-
solidated the two papers. He died in Michigan, March 24, 1884. He
was father of three children, William, jr., Harry T., and Mrs. E. W.
Hamm, all living in Lyons. William Van Camp, jr., was born in 1855,
and was associated with his father, on whose death he with his brother
Harry took the business.
We mentioned a page back the starting of the Lyons Republican by
by George Lewis, August 3, 1821, and the suspension of the paper in
February, 1822. Mr Lewis went to Pennsylvania, where he died in
1839. The present Lyons Republican and its legitimate predecessors
passed through a long and varied career. The Palmyra Freeman, which
had been published by D. D, Stephenson, was sold to Jonathan A.
Hadley in 1830, who removed the plant to Lyons and changed the name
of his paper to The Lyons Countryman. In 1831, when the anti-Masonic
excitement was prevailing, the title "Anti-Masonic Recorder" was
added to the former name of the paper, and Myron A. Holley was as-
sociated with Mr. Hadley in the business. The issue of the paper was
suspended the same year, but Mr. Holley at once began the publication
of the Lyons American, which in 1835 he transferred to William H.
Childs, who removed it to Clyde. In 1839 the Palmyra Whig was re-
moved to Lyons by William N. Cole, and the name changed to The
Wayne County Whig. Mr. Cole was for a time in partnership with
Frederick Morley, and also with his brother, James Cole, and continued
his connection with the Whig until 1850. In that year, when Millard
Fillmore was president, Mr. Cole was postmaster at Lyons, and knowing
that a majority of the Whig party in Wayne county held views adverse
to his own, he decided to sell his paper. He resided in Lyons until 1863,
and was afterwards publisher of the Wayne Sentinel in Palmyra.
Bartlett R. Rogers succeeded as publisher of the Whig; John Layton
next, who sold to Saxon B. Gavitt and Alexander B. Williams. About
a year and a half later they sold out to Silas A. Andrews, who trans-
ferred the property to William Van Marter. In the fall of 1852 it
passed to Rodney L. Adams, who infused new life into the business,
enlarged the paper and started it on a paying basis. In L855 the name
of the paper was changed to The Lyons Republican, and it soon became
a journal of influence and high character. In 1859 Mr. Adams sold to
William T. Tinsley, who had been his foreman and assistant in editorial
^^.
dTdZ
WAYNE COUNTY. 137
work! The paper lost nothing- by this change. Mr. Tinsley was a
practical printer as well as newspaper man, possessed of high intel-
ligence, an able writer, and a man of sound practical judgment. He
soon made the Republican a power in politics, and a welcome guest
with a large number of patrons. He continued the publication to
October 1, 1889, when he sold to William G. David, formerly editor of
the Canandaigua Journal. Mr. David sold on January 1, 1891, to the
firm of Tinsley & Sherwood (W. T. Tinsley, the former publisher, and
C. R. Sherwood). Mr. Tinsley died April 28, 1893, and Mr. Sherwood
became sole proprietor. In 1882 Mr. Tinsley built the handsome brick
structure on William street for his business, and removed thither from
Church street. The plant is now one of the largest and most complete
in this county.
William T. Tinsley was born at Whittlesea, England, June 13, 1833,
his second birthday occurring on shipboard while with his parents on
their way to America. His father was William Tinsley, an artist of
merit and a somewhat eccentric genius. The son's education was ob-
tained in the common schools, but is was constantly added to and
broadened through his life by reading and habits of close observation.
His private library was one of the largest in Wayne county. At an
early age he entered the office of the Watkins Express, and there learned
the printing trade. Afterwards as a journeyman printer he found work
in many of the villages of Western New York and in Freeport, 111. In
the latter place he met Emma Guiteau, whom he married in 1858, soon
after settling in Lyons. In 1859 Mr. Tinsley, who had for some time
been foreman of the Lyons Republican, purchased the establishment,
and in a short time built up a business and produced a journal that
ranked among the leading Republican newspapers of the interior of this
State. Mr. Tinsley possessed all of the attributes of the successful
editor, as well as of the progressive business man. His integrity was
unimpeachable, and while of a retiring disposition, he could assert his
rights and maintain them. In June, 1886, he visited his old home in
England, returning in the fall. The Republican, up to his death, ex-
cept three years when it was owned by William G. David, received the
best energies of Mr. Tinsley's mind and hand. In January, 1891, as
above noted, it passed to Tinsley & Sherwood. In March, 1891, Mr.
Tinsley underwent the operation of lithotomy, and from that time until
his death, March 28, 1893, he gradually failed. Mrs. Tinsley died in
March, 1882. Their children were as follows:
18
138 LANDMARKS OF
Henry G. Tinsley, of The Pomona (Cal. ) Progress; Mrs. Francies A.
Leach, of Kansas City, Mo. ; Mrs. Boyd P. Hill, of Freeport, 111. ; and
Mrs. Clement R. Sherwood and Miss Emma Tinsley, of Lyons. In
December, 1885, Mr. Tinsley married Hannah Rogers Taft, who sur-
vives him, as do also two brothers — Charles Tinsley, of Minneapolis,
and James H. Tinsley, of Brooklyn.
In a brief view of Mr. Tinsley's life, read at the twenty-seventh con-
vention of the New York Press Association, June 28, 1893, it was said:
As a citizen he was helpful and courageous ; as an editor keenly alive to
the possibilities of his high calling and a faithful herald for the good
and true in all things, quick to see the gist of anything offered for his
columns, and apt in putting it into presentable shape ; as a writer meth-
odical, careful, able and often brilliant; as a publisher far sighted and
progressive; as a business man prompt, industrious and reliable; as a
comrade genial and generous ; as a politician brave, powerful and aggres-
sive; as a Christian a meek and lowly follower of the Saviour; as a hus-
band always the lover; as a parent tender and affectionate; as a friend
intuitively considerate, chivalric and true. Indeed, it was in this last
phase of his character that we knew him best. He drew his friends to
him with cords of love which bound like hooks of steel. Once your
friend he was always your friend, and stood ready to prove his friend-
ship, not by words, but in deeds.
Clement R. Sherwood, proprietor and editor of the Republican, was
born in Lyons, January 28, 1867, and is a son of Rev. L. H. Sherwood,
founder and for many years principal of the Lyons Musical Academy.
He is a grandson of Lyman Sherwood, formerly county judge and sur-
rogate of Wayne county, and State senator. He learned the printer's
trade in the Republican office under Mr. Tinsley, was a reporter on the
Syracuse Standard in 1885, and during five years thereafter held an
editorial position on the Rochester Morning Herald. In 1891 he be-
came associated with Mr. Tinsley as above stated. Mr. Sherwood is a
forcible and versatile writer, is well informed on all general subjects,
and fully capable in all respects of upholding the high character of his
journal. He was married in 1889 to Mr. Tinsley's third daughter.
The Lyons Courant was founded June 3, 1882, under the name of the
Grin and Bear It, by John H. Atkinson, a lawyer, who came to Lyons
from Cohoes about 1877. He practiced law about five years before es-
tablishing the newspaper, and was an intelligent and educated man.
Until October, 1882, the paper was issued from the office of the Newark
WAYNE COUNTY. 130
Union, when Mr. Atkinson found a copartnership with his brother, J.
William Atkinson, then day foreman of the New York Tribune compos-
ing room, and a practical printer. They purchased machinery and t3^pe,
and the paper was then issued from their own office in Lyons, in the
building now used as the village police station. The partnership be-
tween the Atkinsons lasted but a few months, when it was dissolved,
J. William returning to New York, and John continuing the publica-
tion of the paper here. In July, 1884, the paper was purchased by Mar-
cus J. and Irving J. Van Marter, two brothers, and the name changed
to the Lyons Sentinel. Irving J. was a practical newspaper man, hav-
ing been connected with the daily newspapers of Peoria, 111. Marcus
J. for several years was employed as a copyist in the Wayne county
clerk's office. Irving Van Marter died June 12, 1887, and on Decem-
ber 28, 1887, Marcus also died, when the business was taken by Joseph
Van Marter. their father. He conducted the business until February
15, 188S, when Frank Stanton purchased it. He carried it on until July,
1888, when it went into the hands of E. P. Boyle and A. Noble. In
November of the same year Mr. Noble sold his interest to N. C. Mirick.
In May, 1890, the paper was changed to a daily and named the Daily
Courant. This was an unsuccessful venture, however, and in April,
1891, it was again changed to a weekly edition under the name of The
Lyons Courant, Mr. Boyle retiring. The Courant had always been in-
dependent in politics until March 23, 1892, when it was changed to a
Republican paper.
In the village of Clyde several newspapers were started, only to die
through want of nutrition. The first of these was The Clyde Standard,
which was established January 6, 1830, by Eber P. Moon. It lived only
about six months. The only copy of this paper known to be in exist-
ence is No. 1, Vol. 1, in possession of Sylvester H. Clark, of Clyde. In
May, 1837, the Lyons American was removed to Clyde, its name changed
to the Clyde Gazette, and published by Denison Card until some time
in 1838, when it returned to Lyons and became the Lyons Whig.
In 1844 the Clyde Eagle was established by B. Frazee. Within a few
3^ears it passed through the hands of a Mr. Dyer, Stephen Salisbury, and
in 1847 to Rev. Charles G. Ackly and William Tompkins, who changed
its name to the Clyde Telegraph. Within a few years it passed to Rev.
W. W. Stroiker, who sold it to William R. Fowle. After a brief effort
to make the business pay he suspended. In February, 1850, the plant
was taken by Payn & Smith, and the paper was revived under the name
140 LANDMARKS OF
of the Ctyde Industrial Times. Joseph A. Payn soon purchased his
partner's interest, and some time in 1851 changed the name of the jour-
nal to the Clyde Weekly Times. Payn sold out to James M. Scarritt,
who eliminated the word " weekly " from the title of the paper and con-
tinued the publication until January 4, 1872. At this time the estab-
lishment was purchased by Irwin A. Forte. On January 1, 1876, he took
his brother, Irving C, as a partner, but at the end of a year the firm
was dissolved, after which date Irwin A. Forte has successfully con-
ducted the business until August, 1894, when he sold out to Albert M.
Ehart. The Times is an earnest and able Republican organ, and has a
large circulation.
Irwin A. Forte, son of Allen- H., was born in Cazenovia, N. Y. , April
20, 1844. He was educated in Cazenovia Seminary and Morrisville
Union School, and for about three years, in partnership with his brother
Irving C, and alone, was engaged in the editorship and publication of
the Cazenovia Republican. He came to Clyde in 1872 and purchased of
James M. Scarritt the Clyde Times. June 20, 1871, Mr. Forte married
Ellen C, daughter of Stephen Chaphe, of Cazenovia, by whom he has
one daughter, Eileen Muguette.
The Northern Methodist Protestant was started in and published
about a year from the office of the Telegraph by the proprietors of the
latter newspaper.
In the spring of 1862 William Daley established the Clyde Commer-
cial, which had an existence of a few years, and suspended publication.
About 1872 Philip Grimsha began the publication of the Local Preach-
er's Advocate, but within a year suspended its publication for want of
support.
The Clyde Commercial Advertiser was started by A. V. Forbes in
the spring of 1880, but after a year it was discontinued.
Cyrus Conklin came to Clyde from Wolcott about 1885, and estab-
lished the Independent and Commercial, which he continued some six
months.
July 4, 18K5, W. E. Churchill founded the Clyde Democrat, contin-
ued the publication until about December 1, 1887, and sold out to Al-
bert C. Lux, who changed the name of the paper to the Democratic
Herald. As indicated by its title, the paper is Democratic in politics
and commands the approval of a large constituency in that part}- in
Wayne county, by whom it is commended for its aggressive and pro-
gressive policy. It began the contest which resulted in making first the
WAYNE COUNTY. 141
sheriff and later the county clerk, salaried officers. The Herald was a
four-page paper when Mr. Lux purchased it, but in September, 1890,
he enlarged it to an eight-page, fifty-six column journal.
Albert C. Lux was born October 15, 1864, in Clyde, whither his father
came from Alsace, France, in 1852. He graduated from the Clyde High
School in 1883 and in 1884 from the Hopkins Grammar School, of New
Haven, Conn., preparatory to entering Yale College. At the death of
his father, October 25, 1885, he was compelled to return home. He
was engaged then in closing up his father's hotel business until he pur-
chased the printing plant. In 1889 he served as village trustee and in
1890, as village president, filling the offices with credit.
The enterprising village of Newark also has its list of dead newspa-
pers whose brief existence preceded the establishment of a permanent
local journal. The first of them was the Newark Republican, which
was started in November, 1829, by Jeremiah O. Balch. It lived until
some time in 1831. The village was then without a paper until 1838,
when Daniel M. Keeler began publishing the Wayne Standard, in sup-
port of the old Whig party; in August, 1839, he sold out to Barney T.
Partridge, J. P. Bartle, and Stephen Culver, the latter acting as edi-
tor. The name of the paper was changed to the New J3gis and in Jan-
uary, 1840, a transfer to one Norton was made. The paper suspended
in the following May. In July of the same year Mr. Keeler again took
the editorial chair and the paper was revived under the original title of
the Wayne Standard. He continued until 1843, sold to H. L. Wenants,
who stopped the publication at the end of the year. In 1850 Henry
Fairchild purchased the plant and during one year published the Wayne
County Democrat, selling out to B. F. Jones, who changed the title of
the paper to the Newark Journal. In 1854 the establishment passed to
George D. A. Bridgeman who changed the name of the paper to the
Newark Whig and continued it to September, 1856. Charles T. White
then bought the office and changed the title of the paper to the Newark
Weekly Courier, making it neutral in politics. From him the office
passed to Arthur White who in turn sold to B. H. Randolph in 1864.
The paper was now made a four-page, thirty-six-column sheet, largely
devoted to local news, and was well patronized. In 1869 Jacob Wilson
purchased the establishment, changed the politics of the paper to Dem-
ocratic a little later and has ever since continued the publication, con-
stantly on the alert to add improvements, until now the Courier is an
excellent example of the first class country newspaper.
142 LANDMARKS OF
The Newark Union was established in 1872 as a Greeley campaign
sheet, but on January 1, 1873, began its career as a permanent publi-
cation in support of Democratic principles, with James Jones as editor
and proprietor. The paper was successful and after the death of Mr.
Jones, the establishment passed to his son, Frank H. Jones, in January,
1883. He continued the business until November, 1885, when it was
sold to the present proprietor, H. H. Fisk, the politics of the paper
having meanwhile been changed to Republican in 1884. The Union is
now a thirty-six column, four-page paper, carefully and ably edited and
reaching a large clientage.
On the 6th of April, 1887, the Burgess Brothers (W. C. and F. D.
Burgess), who had for about a year been doing a successful job printing
business in Newark, began the publication of the Arcadian Weekly Ga-
zette, as an independent, modern newspaper. This journal was a suc-
cess from the start and at the end of about a year was enlarged from
forty columns to forty-eight. In 1891 the Gazette was turned to the
support of the Republican party, and in April, 1804:, in carrying out
their determination to make the paper a leader among the journals of
Central and Western New York, the proprietors added twelve more
columns. The Gazette is now one of the best and handsomest papers
in Wayne county and enjoys a circulation of 1,900. The Burgess
Brothers are sons of Rev. A. P. Burgess, who settled in Newark in 1874
as pastor of the Presbyterian church.
The first newspaper published in Savannah was the Savannah News,
first issued in 1876, by Frank Conklin, to aid in advancing the precarious
fortunes of the Greenback party, and in support of the candidacy of
James Deady for member of assembly. It lived only one year and the
plant went back to the dealers.
The Savannah News, as it now exists, was founded March 4, 1887,
by W. J. Deady, son of James Deady before mentioned. The paper
contained four pages of six columns each. In July, 1887, A. J. Conroe
bought the business, and in October following admitted George W.
Cooper as partner. In March, 1888, Mr. Cooper took entire control
and has since conducted the paper. The News was originally independ-
ent in politics, but when Mr. Cooper assumed its sole management, he
made it as it has since been, aggressively Democratic. It is ably edited
and exerts considerable influence.
George W. Cooper was born May 5, 1869, in Theresa, Jefferson
county, N. Y., and is a son of Captain Jerome Cooper. He was edu-
WAYNE COUNTY. 143
cated at Theresa and served a printer's apprenticeship in the office of
the Watertown Post. He located in Savannah in 1888, and was chosen
town clerk in 1891, the first Democratic clerk in the town. From 1890
to 1894 inclusive he has held the office of village clerk.
The Savannah Times was started April 7, 1894, by A. J. Conroe, who
has been a merchant of the village twenty-four years, and conducts the
printing business in connection. The Times is independent, with a
leaning towards Republicanism. Mr. Conroe is a native of Dutchess
county, where he was born in 1845. He removed with his mother to
Savannah in 1848.
Besides these two papers Savannah had the Savannah Reporter,
started as a Republican organ in December, 1889, by O. C. Silver, which
endured one year; and the Savannah edition of the Wayne County
Dispatch, one year from April, 1893, printed in Palmyra by F. G.
Crandall.
The town of Sodus has had a newspaper since 1873, when George W.
Tummonds started the Sodus Enterprise. Shortly afterwards the firm
of Tummonds & Collins was formed, and about 1875 Galen Oderdirk
became proprietor of the paper and changed its name to The Wayne
County Alliance, at the same time effecting a consolidation with the
Ontario Sun (which had been issued for a time in the town of Ontario),
and the Williamson Enterprise of Williamson. In 1878 the establish-
ment passed to the firm of Claven & Gilmore ; the latter soon afterwards
died, and the office again changed hands, going to E. W. Gurnee& Co.,
who employed E. A. Benedict as editor. On September 1, 1882, they
sold out to B. H. Cuddeback and Willis C. Teall. This firm continued
to September, 1890, when Mr. Teall became sole proprietor and has
since continued the business. In 1878 the paper was enlarged from a
four- column folio to its present seven-column size. The Alliance has
always been independent in politics.
Willis C. Teall was born in Romulus, Seneca county, in 1852, was
educated in Geneva and Sodus Academy, his parents having removed
to this town in 1853. He began learning the printer's trade with Galen
Oderdirk, and purchased an interest in the Alliance in 1882, as above
stated.
The Williamson Sentinel was started as the Williamson Banner in
1884, by G. W. Tummonds, by whom the plant was removed from
Ontario. In April, 1886, he sold out to the present proprietor, Dr.
H. N. Burr. The name of the paper was changed in 1885. Dr. Burr
144 LANDMARKS OF
publishes the Sentinel in connection with his medical practice. A sketch
of his life is given elsewhere in these pages.
The Shut-in Visitor was started in Williamson in January, 1883, by
Mrs. Kate Sumner Burr, wife of Dr. H. N. Burr. In January, 1885,
the name was changed to The Invalid's Visitor. In May, 1886, Dr. and
Mrs. Burr removed to Williamson, taking the journal with them. It is
an octavo of sixteen pages, monthly, and devoted to the interests of
invalids. It has a very extended circulation.
The Macedon News was first issued in the village of Macedon in the
fall of 1885, by M. Allen Eddy, who has successfully conducted it since.
He was then only fourteen years old and attending school. The size
of the paper was then six by nine inches. It has been three times en-
larged, and now is an eight-page, seven-column journal. When the
last enlargement was made the name was changed to The Newsgatherer.
Since October, 1890, W. S. Eddy has been business manager for his
brother, the publisher, M. Allen Eddy, who is on the city start of the
Chicago. Herald. M. Allen Eddy was born in Macedon, December 14,
1870, and graduated from the Macedon Academy in the class of '86.
He served as reporter two years on the Oswego Palladium. William
S. Eddy was born in Macedon, February 18, 1868, and educated in
Macedon Academy. They are sons of Marvin A. Eddy, who settled in
Macedon from Williamson, where his father, Joseph, was a pioneer.
The Marion Enterprise was founded by E. Curtis in 1880, and by his
ability as an editor and his practical business qualifications, has made it
a success. Mr. Curtis was born in Madison, Madison county, N. Y.,
July 17, 1825, and is the youngest living of eight children of Eli and
Hulda Curtis. He was educated in the common schools and Augusta
Academy, and at the age of seventeen began teaching, which occupation
he followed thirty years; was four years a teacher in Marion Collegiate
Institute, of which his son-in-law, Charles E. Allen, was principal at the
same time, while the wife of the latter was preceptress, and a daughter
of our subject, Evangeline, was assistant. The family thus conducted
the institution four years. On September 24, 1880, Mr. Curtis estab-
lished the Enterprise, as above stated. In the conduct of this journal
he is assisted by his son, Rollo D. Mr. Curtis was associated with C. A.
White in the purchase of the Gorham Intelligence in 1878; he bought
out his partner in 1879, and continued thereuntil he founded the Enter-
prise. Through the public spirit of Mr. Curtis a telephone office was
established- in Marion. He married in 1845, Laura A. Dudley, of
WAYNE COUNTY. 145
Augusta, N. Y., daughter of Rev. Ira J. and Laura Hurd Dudley,
early settlers in Oneida county, and they have had four children:
Genevieve, died August 18, 1889; Evangeline L., wife of C. Frank
Radcler, of Marion ; Rollo D., a graduate of Yates Polytechnic Institute.
The Ontario Sun was established in Ontario village in 1873, by Galen
Oderdirk, who soon afterwards took his uncle, Rev. G. M. Hardie, as
partner. They sold out to William H Spencer, who changed the name
of the paper to The Lake Shore Independent. The journal was dis-
continued within a few years.
The first newspaper in the town and village of Rose was an amateur
journal, called the Rose Times, published by Burt E., son of Jackson
Valentine, in the fall of 1886. He continued it about fourteen months.
Another amateur sheet, called the Rose Union, was started a week
after the beginning of the Times, by Elmo R. Barless, son of Dr. R. C.
Barless. In June, 1887, the establishment was purchased by Clinton
J. Barless, and changed the name of the paper to The Farmers'
Counsel, also changing its character to correspond. In the fall of 1887
it was made a local journal. In January, 1888, the Rose Times and the
Farmers' Counsel were consolidated by Barless & Valentine, and has
since been continued as such. In March, 1888, Valentine sold his part
of the material to G. A. Sherman, job printer, and C. J. & C. L. Barless
formed a partnership, which continued till the summer of that year,
when C. L. Barless retired. The partner continued alone to 1891, when
the firm of C. L. & E. R. Barless was formed, and continued to 1893.
Since then C. L. Barless has carried on the business. The paper is a
nine-column folio, neutral in politics.
In the spring of 1887 W. J. Deady started in Rose Valley the Jeffer-
sonian Democrat, which lived about six months. In 1893 a monthly pa-
per called Our Home was founded and printed in the office of C. J.
Barless, who still continues it. It is a household paper.
J. S. Cross started a six column weekly at North Rose about 1890,
called the North Rose Herald. He sold it in the same year to C. J.
Barless and the publication is discontinued.
The Lake Shore News is a very successful weekly journal published
in Wolcott village. It was founded October 8, 1874, by its present ed-
itor and proprietor, William H. Thomas. It is independent in politics,
and one of the best journals in the county.
William H. Thomas is a native of Mentz, Cayuga count}*, and was
born November 5, 1832. He learned the printing trade in the North-
19
146 LANDMARKS OF
era Christian Advocate office, in Auburn. After a period of journey-
man work he purchased in 1S55 an interest in the Port Byron Chronicle,
but lie soon sold out and went west. Three years later he returned and
enlisted in the 111th N. V. Vols. August 8, L862, and remained three
years. Returning to Wolcott, he started a job printing office and nine
years later founded the News.
The first newspaper on the death-roll in Wolcott was started by John
Mclntyre in 1851, and called the Wayne Banner. It was short lived.
Joseph A. Payne made the next and equally abortive attempt. Charles
I). Smith started the Wolcott Standard in 1S74, and it also soon fol-
lowed its predecessors. The Wolcott Independent, a weekly Greenback
organ, started in 1881 by Cyrus Conkling, was soon removed to Clyde
where it became the Clyde Citizen and Independent.
The town of Wolcott supports another journal in the village of Red
Creek. The Red Creek Herald was started March 15, 1894, by its pres-
ent editor and proprietor, W. G. Phippin. It is a seven-column folio,
neutral in politics and is ably conducted. Mr. Phippin is a native of
Iowa and was born January 5, 1867; learned the trade in Oswego and
Watertown; in 1802 established the Wayland Register in Steuben
county, which he sold in L893 and came to Red Creek.
The Red Creek Press, a six-column paper was started in ( )ctober, 1*',].
by Wm. A. Spencer and A. Sayles, jr., it was soon discontinued.
CHAPTER XIII.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
FREE AXJ) ACCEPTED M Avon's.
The first lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in what is now Wayne
county, was organized in 1811, as Pultneyville Lodge No. L59. It con-
tinued work with a fair degree of prosperity until the Morgan anti-Ma-
sonic warfare swept over this State, when it succumbed. It was reor-
ganized after 1850 under the same name, with Philander B. Rovce,
master. Its meetings were continued there until 1872, when the lodge
ami its property were removed to Williamson village, where it has since
WAYNE COUNTY. 1 17
remained. At the time of its organization it had only seven members;
it now has twenty-seven, and the following principal officers for 1894:
J.»hn E. Tufts, W. M. ; Mortimer P. Tufts, S. W. ; Arthur Shipley,
f. \V. ; George F. Cheetham, treasurer; William Pound, secretary.
Sodus Lodge No. 392, F. & A. M., was organized in Sodus village in
1856, with the following first officers: Asahel Yale, W. M. ; John A.
Paddock, S. W. ; William Shaver, J. W. ; J. R. Sweeney, treasurer;
Riley Belden, secretary. The following persons have been past mas-
ters of this lodge: Dr. Asahel Yale, 1850-58 and 1860-61; W. Tillott-
son, 1859; A. P. Warren, 1862-64; Amos Case, 1865-66; John A. Boyd,
1867; W. P. Rogers, 1868; E. Thornton, 1869; C. C. Teall, 1870; Dr.
William G. Thirkell, 1871, 1874-76, and 1878-79; R. S. Borradaile,
1872; C. D. Gaylord, 1873; William Kansier, 1877; A. W. Brower,
1880; L. D. F. Vaughn, 1881-82; John C. Hill, 1883; Ward Smith,
1884-85; James Stebbins, 1886; L. D. V. Vaughn, 1887; C. C. Field,
1888-89; Edward Pullman, 1890-91; L. D. F. Vaughn, 1892; C. C.
Field, 1893. The officers for 1894 are: W. A. Nichols, W. M. ; Dr. F.
L. Wilson, S. W. ; Eugene Merenus, J. W. ; M. F. Boyd, treasurer;
W. G. Thirkell, secretary. This lodge is very prosperous and has about
115 members, who are zealous in upholding the high principles of the
order; this fact is indicated by the circumstance that they watched dur-
ing 186 successive nights with the Rev. David Moir, Episcopal minis-
ter of the village, and a member of De Molay Lodge No. 409, of Buffalo,
when he was sick. The Buffalo lodge on April 11, 1893, presented
Sodus Lodge with a handsome engrossed memorial embodying resolu-
tions of thanks.
Wayne Chapter, R. A. M., No. 276 was organized in Sodus village
April 16, 1880, and was chartered February 8, 1881, with the following
members: O. W. Bates, H. P. ; Dr. W. G. Thirkell, K.; WTard Smith,
scribe; Dr. L. M. Gaylord, treasurer; C. D. Gaylord, secretary; J. P.
Canfield, S. Bloss, E. D. Ailing, R. B. Belden, E. A. Green, and J. A.
Paddock. The high priests of this chapter have been: O. W. Bates,
1880-83; Dr. W. G. Thirkell, 1884-87; H. S. Dennis, 1888-89; C. C.
Field, 1890-92; Dr. W. G. Thirkell, 1893-94. The officers for 1894 are
as follows: Dr. W. G. Thirkell, H. P. ; George E. Philo, K. ; William
Horn, scribe ; L. D. F. Vaughn, treasurer and secretary. This chap-
ter has now about fifty-two members.
Humanity Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 283. — This was one of the more
conspicuous of the early Masonic lodges of Wayne and its roll of mem-
148 LANDMARKS OF
bership embraces many names of early citizens and others down to recent
years, who were prominent in the community in many ways. Prelim-
inary to the ceremony of installation in the old lodge a meeting of those
interested met in a building owned by Moses Hurlbert on the 14th of
August, 1817. Here a procession was formed which marched to the
Methodist meeting-house where a discourse was delivered by Brother
Farley, following which Humanity Lodge was duly installed with its
officers, by Philetus Swift, D. G. M., assisted by others of the Grand
Lodge. The following were the first officers of this lodge: Ezra Jew-
ell, W. M. ; David June, S. W. ; Gabriel Rogers, J. W. ; Josiah Wright,
treasurer; Hiram Payne, secretary; Henry Seymour, S. D. ; William
Stills, J. D. ; Peter Eisenlord and Oliver Granger, stewards; Samuel
Davis, tyler. The first persons initiated by this lodge were Jacob
Leach, and Moses B. Hurlburt. The committee to prepare b)Maws
were H. Payne, Ezra Jewell, and Gabriel Rogers. The following is a
nearly complete list of those who signed the by-laws during the life of
the lodge, and is of interest as naming many of the leading citizens of
that day: Caleb Gilber, Jacob Leach, Samuel Rossitur, Jenks Pullen,
W. Perrine, Edward Swail, Moses B. Hurlburt, Nathan Worden, Wil-
liam C. Guest, Peter Eisenlord, Jeremiah S. Jenkins, Joseph M. Dem-
mon, Jacob M. Gilbert, John Varnum, Jesse Gulick, Charles Champ-
lin, William C. Perrine, James Lamon, Oliver Granger, Upton Dorsey,
Charles Raynor, William Clark, Stephen M. Palmer, Adam Learn,
Newell Taft, Sawyer Bullock, Francis Pomeroy, Andrew Dorsey, Ed-
ward Jones, John Gilbert, Horatio G. Kingsbury, Thomas E. Dorsey,
John Lewis, William Trowbridge, Abraham Knapp, Lyman Granger,
Harris West, Sanford Lipan, James J. Bernet, Pardon Worden, Thomas
Hawley, William G. Hough, Peleg Betteys, John W. Carrigan, Alex-
ander Beard, Abraham L. Beaumont, Freeman Rogers, William Sisson,
James Sears, John Condit, Calvin D. Palmeter, Nelson Aldrich, Or-
ville L. Holley, L. Hazen, L. R. Lalett, William Parker, Edward Bur-
rell, Elisha Sisson, Graham H. Chapin, John Drake, Cyrus Hum-,
Michael Miller, John S. Hall, John S. Tallmadge, Phineas B. Austin,
Hiram S. Day, Reuben H. Forster, Stephen Ferguson,. Daniel Dunn,
Abraham Fairchild, Daniel R. Rozell, David Peterson, Oliver Allen,
Joseph Enns. Henry Beaumont, Abner Brown, Eli Blair, Nehemiah
Sprague, Abner Pease, Henry Yerington, John Perrine, jr., John
Adams, Robert Knnis, Hugh Brown, jr. , Peter Carney, Aaron Griswold,
Orin \V. Giles, William Efner, Ora Piatt, James West fail, Ziba Lane,
WAYNE COUNTY. 149
Joseph Hall, Aaron S. Boylan — a total of 101 names. The masters of
this lodge were Ezra Jewell, Jacob M. Gilbert, and Henry Seymour.
The last recorded meeting of old Humanity Lodge tood place April 8,
1824, and doubtless the wave of anti-Masonry caused the surrender of
the charter.
Humanity Lodge No. 406, was instituted in May, 1856, under dis-
pensation from the Grand Lodge at Odd Fellows Hall, Lyons, with
fourteen charter members as follows: William H. Sisson, Henry Gra-
ham, jr., Southard Lewis, J. Welling, Daniel Ford, Zebulon Moore,
John Gilbert, Daniel R. Rozell, Newell Taft, Ziba Lane, Darius H.
Denton, and A. I. Van Camp. The first officrs were: William H. Sis-
son, W. M. ; Henry Graham, jr., S. W. ; S. Lewis, J. W. ; J. Welling,
secretary; Daniel Ford, tyler. The past masters have been: J. Wel-
ling, who served eight years; Henry Graham, jr., Joseph McCall, Seth
C. Searle, Beardsley Van Alstyne, Milton E. Mirick, Daniel Althen,
William E. Hines, John B. Stoll, George W. Koester, William E. Mc-
Collum. The dedication of the rooms in Masonic Block took place Feb-
ruary 18, 1869, and thither the lodge removed. The membership is now
over 100, and the following are the officers for 1894: Charles N. Crom-
well, W. M. ; F. H. McOmber, S. W. ; C. E. Ernst, J. W. ; Joseph Mc-
Call, treasurer; R. W. Ashley, secretary.
Freemasonry began early in Clyde, the organization of Galen Lodge
No. 367, dating back to 1823, and the warrant bearing date June 7, of
that year. The officers were: Joseph Enos, G. M. ; John Brush,
D. G. M. ; Nathaniel Allen, S. G W. ; Thomas Barker, J. G. W. ; John
Lewis, M. ; Henry Northrup, S. W. ; Artemus Humiston, J. W. The
lodge began work in a chamber in Sylvester Clark's storehouse, October
15, 1823, and continued in prosperity until 1826, when with a member-
ship of sixty-six, it was persecuted and driven from place to place under
the Morgan excitement, finally settling in the ball room of the Clyde
Hotel on the 26th of January, 1831. There a few of the faithful con-
tinued to meet until February 15, 1832, when it was determined to
suspend work until the excitement subsided. The officers at that time
were: John Condit, W. M. ; Thomas J. Whiting, S. D. ; A. Pendleton,
J. D. ; Samuel M. Welch, tyler; Arza Lewis, treasurer.
Ctyde Lodge, F. & A. M. , No. 341, was organized in 1854, and suc-
ceeded to the jewels, furniture, etc., of the old Galen Lodge. The
petitioners for the warrant were: John Condit, Joseph Watson, Joseph
Welling, William C. Ely, Aaron Griswold, S. J. Childs, William G. T.
150 LANDMARKS OF
Elliott, and John J. Dickson. The warrant is dated July 6, 1854, at
which time John Condit was appointed W. M. ; Joseph Watson, S. W. ;
Joseph Welling, J. W. This lodge has always prospered, and now has
ninety-one members. Following are the officers for 1894: H. A. Water-
bury/ W. M.; W. R. Vrooman, S. W. ; B. N. Marriott, J. W. ; J. J.
Cookingham, treasurer; J. E. McGinnis, secretary; G. R. Bacon,
chaplain; A. C. Lux, S. D. ; H. B. Exner, J. D. ; C. R. Kennedy,
vS. M. C ; C. E. Jones, J. M. C. ; Clark Potts, tyler.
Griswold Chapter No. 201, R. A. M., of Clyde, was chartered Febru-
ary 7, 1807, and on the 6th of March following the first officers were
installed; they were as follows: Aaron Griswold, M. E. high priest;
J. Hasbrook Suhler, E. king; Robert Dobyns, E. scribe; Hugh Boyd,
tyler; Seth Smith, captain of host; Dr. James M. Home, principal so-
journer; John Trempor, Royal Arch captain; Edward B. Wells, master
of third vail ; Jacob Strauss, master of second vail ; George O. Baker,
master of first vail. This chapter came into existence in place of the
old Lyons Chapter, which was chartered in 1824, with Oliver Allen,
high priest, and James P. Bartlett, secretary. Mr. Allen was succeeded
in his office by William Sisson, who continued until the suspension
about 1828, during the anti-Masonic warfare. The officers of the
chapter for 1894 are as follows: G. R. Bacon, H. P. ; H. A. Waterbury,
K. ; E. B. Wells, S. ; J. Strauss, secretary; J. E. McGinnis, C. H. ; J. J.
Cookingham, P. S. ; E. M. Ellinwood, R. A. C. ; W. W. Legg, M, 3d
V. ; W. R. Vrooman, M. 2dV. ; E. R. Bockoven, M. 1st V. ; Clark Potts,
tyler.
Newark Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M., was chartered June 5, 1824.
James P.. Bartle was the first master; Theodore Partridge, S. W. ; J. C.
Roberts, J. W. The anti-Masonic war affected this lodge seriously,
and in March, 1827, nine out of fifteen members present at a meeting
voted to surrender the charter. Of the $100 then on hand the lodge
gave $25 to the Methodist Society of the place, and $25 to the Presby-
terian Society; the remaining $50 was given to the American Bible
Society. In 1838 the Grand Lodge was asked to return their warrant,
and the request was granted. Meetings were held in a room in Mr.
Bartle's house, fitted up by him for the purpose, and a few members
were initiated. In 1840 the charter was again surrendered. Ten years
later, September 28, 1848, the lodge was revived with the following-
officers: lames P. Bartle, M. ; John Daggett, S. W. ; Theodor Dickinson,
]. \V. ; A. F. Cressy, secretary; E. T. Grant, treasurer. The number
WAYNE COUNTY. 151
of members was twenty-two, which has been gradually increased to
more than hundred. G. L. Bennett, who joined in 1849, is the present
oldest member, and has served as secretary twenty-five years. James
P. Bartle was master several years, as also was John Daggett. Other
masters have been: James D. Ford, Clark Mason, R. P. Groat, Richard
White, G. L. Bennett, C. P. Fanning, Marvin I. Greenwood, Alexander
Hayes, and G. M. Soverhill. The officers for 1894 are as follows:
William T. Peirson, W. M. ; W. C. Conrad, S. W. ; T. R. Loomis,
J. W. ; C. S. White, treasurer; E. F. Cowles, secretary; Rev. L. Coffin,
chaplain; A. C. Fish, S. D. ; F. W. Traub, J. D. ; Godfrey Koetsch,
S. M. C. ; Samuel Farnsworth, J. M. C. ; John K. Lyke, tyler. This
lodge is noted for its enthusiasm in all good works. On the erection of
Ford's Block, a room was secured in the third story, and on June 24,
1875, it was consecrated' to Masonic purposes.
Newark Chapter No. 117, received its original warrant Februa^ 10,
1826; John P. Bartle, H. P.; John Daggett, K. ; Theodore Partridge,
S. The warrant and lodge property, excepting the records, were burned
in 1859, and another warrant was issued February 3, of the same year.
The membership is now about eighty. The officers for 1894 are as
follows: J. M. Pitkin, jr., H. P.; T. R. Loomis, E. K. ; E. B. Elliott,
jr., E. S. ; E. R. Kelley, treasurer; E. F. Cowles, secretary; Rev. L.
Coffin, chaplain; William T. Peirson, C. H. ; P. R. Sleight, R. A. C. ;
A. C. Eish, P. S. ; F. W. Traub, 3d V.; G. Koetsch, 2d V. ; W. H. H.
Stebbins, 1st V. ; John K. Lyke, tyler.
One of the very early Masonic lodges of Wayne county was Mount
Moriah Lodge No. 112, of Palmyra, which continued a prosperous
existence until the Morgan excitement, when it surrendered its charter.
Those who served as its masters were: David White, 1816 ; W. Winslow,
S. Scovel, Ira Selby, H. S. Moore, David White; Durfee Chase, 1822-
1823; Solomon St. John, 1824; when the lodge went out of existence.
Palmyra Lodge No. 248, received its warrant March 8, 1852, but had
•worked since September 10, 1851, under dispensation. Charles Hudson
was the first master; Elijah Ennis, S. W. ; John C. Calhoun, J. W. On
March 24, 1852, the lodge was formally constituted. The following
persons have served as masters: Charles Hudson, 1852; Thomas Robin-
son, 1854; John C. Calhoun, 1855; W. B. Crandall, 1856-58 and 1860;
S. B. Smith, 1859; T. L. Root, 1861-62; C. S. Chase, 1863-65 ;-M. C.
Finley, 1866-67 John G. Webster, 1868-69; T. S. Jackson. 1870; Joseph
W. Corning, 1871; George McGown, 1872-75; Henry P. Knowles, 1876;
152 LANDMARKS OF
Joseph W. Taylor, 1877; Wells Tyler, L878-79; John C. Coates, 1880
81; Oliver Durfee, L882-83; Henry Birdsall, 1884-85; Edwin B. Ander-
son, 1886; S. Nelson Sawyer, 1887-88; C. H. Brigham, 1889-90; S. E.
Braman, 1891-92; Alfred C. Hopkins, 1893-94. The officers of the lodge
for 1894 are as follows: Alfred C. Hopkins, master; Louis M. Chase,
S. W. ; George A. Barnhart, J. W. ; Alfred W. Salisbury, treasurer;
George McGown, secretary; James L. Harrison, S. D. ; Alexander P.
Milne, J. D. ; Walter P. Smith, S. M. C. ; Richard A. Yanderboget,
J. M. C. ; William H. Dennis, tyler.
A charter was granted to Palmyra Eagle Chapter No. 79, R. AM.,
on February 7, 1823. The first officers were: Addison N. Buck, H. P. ;
Harry S. Moore, K. ; Seth Tucker, scribe. The high priests previous
to 1828 were: Dr. Durfee Chase, Solomon St. John, Alexander Mcln-
tyre, and Robert W. Smith. From 1828 to 1853 the chapter was not in
existence. On April 7, 1853, work was renewed with Truman Heming-
way, H. P. ; Marvin K. Rich, K. ; Edwin Dewey, scribe. There were
then twenty members. ' The high priests have been : T. Hemingway,
1853-55 ; William B. Crandall, 1856-60 ; Elijah Ennis, 1861-63; Thomas
L. Root, 1804-67; J. H. Chase, 1868; M. C. Finley, 1869-74; Isaac F.
Tabor, 1875-77; George McGown, 1878-82; Oliver Durfee, 1883-86;
Edwin B. Anderson, 1887-88; S. Nelson Sawyer, L889 -90; George A.
Earnhardt, 1891-93. The chapter officers for 1894 are as follows:
Seiner E. Braman, H. P. ; Mark C. Finley, K. ; Alexander P. Milne,
scribe; Alfred C. Hopkins, secretary; Fred E. Ryckman, C. H. ; George
A. Barnhart, P. S. ; Robert H. Bareham, R. A. C. ; John Cunningham,
M. 3 V. ; John D. Lane, M. 2 V. ; Addison L. Root, M. 1 V. ; William
H. Dennis, tiler.
Palmyra Council No. 26, R. & S. M., was opened under dispensation
November 13, 186."), with these officers: E. Ennis, master; Thomas L.
Root, deputy master; Mark C. Finley, P. O. of Work. A charter was
granted February <'>, L866. E. Ennis served as master until L867; M.
C. Finley, 1868-74; T. S. Jackson, 1875-76; George McGown, ls;;:
John C. Coates, 1878; M. C. Finley, 1879-88; S. Nelson Sawyer, 1889-
91 ; Edwin B. Anderson, 1892-93. The officers for 18!) I are as follows:
A. C. Hopkins, T. I. M. ; George A. Barnhardt, D. M. ; John C. Coates,
treasurer; George McGown, recorder.
Zenobia Commandery, Knights Templar, No. 41, was organized in
Palmyra, April ->'.), 1867, and its warrant bears date of October 2, L867.
Its charter members numbered twenty-six, and thirteen more were soon
WAYNE COUNTY. 153
admitted. Jackson H. Chase was the first eminent commander; Elijah
Ennis, generalissimo; Thomas L. Root, C. G. The following have held
the office of E. C. since: J. H. Chase, 18(37-68; E. Ennis, 186!); T. L.
Root, 1870-71; Rev. John G. Webster, 1872; M. C. Finley, 1873-75;
Isaac F. Tabor, 1876-77 ; George McGown, 1878-83 ; John C. Coates,
1881-88; Edwin B. Anderson, 1889-92; S. Nelson Sawyer 1893; Nel-
G. Drake, 1894. The officers elected for 1894 are as follows: George
A. Barnhardt, generalissimo; Seiner E. Braman, captain-general; Mark
C. Finley, recorder; George McGown, treasurer.
Wayne Lodge, F. & A. M., was organized at Ontario Center in 1866,
and held regular meetings in the old hotel, on the site of the present
one, until it was burned. For a few months after meetings convened
in Thomas Hall, whence the lodge property was surreptitiously removed
at midnight to Ontario village in 1891. The first officers were: T.
Mitchell, W. M. ; J. Z. Hodges, S. W. ; John Raynor, J. W. ; Isaac
Pratt, treasurer; W. H. Matherson, secretary; N. Bates, S. D. ; H. M.
Sabin, J. D. ; S. Sabin, tyler. The number of members was eighteen.
Among the past masters are T. Mitchell, J. Z. Hodges, S. Sabin, J. W.
Speller, A. J. Pratt, C. M. Pease, A. Stark, and Freeman Pintler. The
officers for 1894 are as follows: William Paine, W. M. ; H. E. Stanford,
secretary; H. E. Van Derveer, treasurer.
Walworth Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 254, was organized February 5,
1852, with seven members and the following officers: Abel Wyman,
W. M. ; Jones Findley, S. W. ; Tappan Merrill, J. W. ; Nathaniel Bates,
treasurer; W. D. Wylie, secretary. The charter bears date June 8,
1852. The charter members, besides those above named, were John
Findley and Isaac Barnhart. The first meetings for about one year
were held in Jones Findley's dwelling, on the site of F. C. Robie's pres-
ent house. Removal was then made to the old hotel, on the site of the
present one, and thence to its present quarters. This lodge had an
earlier organization, but all of its records were burned in 1852, leading
to the reorganization. The officers for 1894 are as follows: Edward M.
Rodenberger, W. M. ; Clarence B. Palmer, S. W. ; Walter B. Slade,
J. W. ; Charles Elliott, treasurer; J. J. Findley, secretary.
Savannah Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 764 was organized in 1875, and
chartered in the following year. The first officers under the charter
were: J. A. Munson, W. M. ; A. E. Casey, S. W. ; J. N. Westbrook,
J. W. ; J. B. Carris, treasurer; A. S. Farnum, secretary. The charter
members of this lodge were as follows: J. A. Munson, C. H. Graves,
20
154 LANDMARKS OF
James N. Westbrook, Alexander Gregg, H. E. Newton, John Williams,
A. D. Wood, Nathan Fitch, B. G. Clark, John McGonegal, A. E. Casey,
A. J. Holdridge, Andrew Pearsal, E. S. Wood, ,R. Widrig, and William
Faulkner. The past masters : J. A. Munson, A. S. Farnum, and J. K.
Bigsby. The officers of the lodge for 1894 are: H. W. Smith, W. M. ;
L. C. Sherman, S. W. ; D. B. Reamer, J. W. ; C. B. Jepson, treasurer;
W. R. Wiles, secretary. This lodge now has about eighty-three mem-
bers.
Raymond Chapter No. 100, Order of the Eastern Star, was organized
in Savannah in June, 1803, with fourteen members, and the following
officers: Mrs. L. C. Sherman, W. M. ; Mrs. R. H. Kelley, W. A. M. ;
Mrs. J. M. Hill, secretary; Mrs. Charles B. Jepson, treasurer. These
officers hold until January, 1895.
Macedon Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 665, was organized and chartered
June 9, 1868, with fourteen members. The first worthy master was
Noah W. Hare, who held the office from 1867 to December, 1869. The
following have held that office since: W, C. Lawrence, 1870-71; S. N.
Gallup, 1872-73; Lyman Bickford, 1874-75-76 and 1880; Henry H.
Reed, 1877-78-79, 1881-82, and from 1885 to 1891, inclusive; C. S.
Lacey, 1883-84; G. P. Kaiser, 1892-93. For 1894 the following are the
elective officers: Harvey Greenfield, W. M. ; Charles H. Parker, S. W. ;
Frank G. Ramsdell, J. W. ; William B. Billings, treasurer; Robert P.
Magee, secretary. Elective officers: E. J. Fulton. S. D. ; Walter R.
Possee, J. D. ; Rev. C. L. Paddock, chaplain; A. Brennan, S. M. C. ;
G. H. Kraus, J. M. C. ; Charles W. Kipp, tyler. January 1, 1894, the
lodge had sixty-six members.
Red Creek Lodge No. 560, F. & A. M., was instituted in 1856, with
the following officers: Rev. S. P. Crosier, W. M. ; James H. Coope,
S. W. ; G. H. Preston, J. W. ; E. H. Brown, treasurer; Philip Turner,
secretary; I, F. Mosher, S. D. ; Jerome Barr, J. D. The lodge pros-
pered until 1874, when the books and property were burned. A new
charter was granted in April of that year. Meetings were held in the
woolen factory during that summer, and later in Becker & Hall's hall to
about L877, when the lodge removed to Woleott, and has remained there
since. In Masonic year ls'.H the name of the lodge was changed to
Woleott Lodge No. 560. The successive worshipful masters of this
lodge has been as follows: Rev. S. I*. Crosier, James H. Coope. I. F.
Mosher, F. M. Pasco, D. D. Becker, George Copeland, I). D. Becker,
again, Charles Cromwell, William Lytic, J. Byron Smith, Garry Salis-
WAYNE COUNTY. L55
bury, Jefferson W. Hoag. The other officers for L894 are: F. A. Pre-
vost, S. W. ; C. H. Hamner, J. W. ; B. J. Worden, S. D. ; Rolla Stew-
art, J. D. ; N W. Merrill, treasurer; Frank Hale, secretary.
Rose Lodge No. 590, F. & A. M., was chartered in 1805, with the fol-
lowing members : James M. Home, M. T. Collier, Lucius H. Dudley,
John J. Dickson. George Catchpole, Seymour Covel, Eugene Hickok,
Seymour Woodard, James Covel, Samuel Gardner, and P. J. Thomas.
The warrant was issued June 22, 1866. The following first officers were
installed: James M. Home, W. M. ; M. T. Collier, S. W. ; L. H. Dud-
ley, J. W. ; M. C. Klink, secretary; Samuel Gardner, treasurer; P. J.
Thomas, S. D. ; Charles Covel, J. D. The officers in 1894 are as fol-
lows: John E. Kaiser, W. M. ; Orrin C. Calhoun, S. W. ; Orrin Livings-
ton, J. W. ; D. B. Flint, treasurer; E. Hickok, secretary. The lodge
has seventy-two members.
ODD FELLOWS.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows has had a long and honorable
life in Wayne county, most of the lodges having been formed in the
years 1845-46; but the earliest organization was Wayne Lodge No. 148,
which was instituted in 1843 with ten members. John Chipman was
N. G., and H. S. Fisher, V. G. This lodge continued its work until
1852, when the charter was surrendered. The membership at one
period reached 150, but had declined to sixty in 1852.
The second lodge of Odd Fellows in Palmyra was Pierian Lodge No.
243, which was instituted August 3, 1870, with the following charter
members: Lewis B. Keeler, P. G. ; Samuel B. Mclntyre, R. L. Pritch-
ard, Clarence A. Hersey, and Albert F. Duell. S. B. Mclntyre was in-
stalled N. G. ; G. R. Pritchard, V. G. ; C. A. Hersey, secretary; and
A. F. Buell, treasurer. Meetings were held weekly in rooms in Cuyler's
block. For some unexplained reason this lodge eventually declined and
finally suspended work to be succeeded by the Phil Sheridan Lodge.
Phil Sheridan Lodge No. 430, I. O. O. F., was instituted October 25,
1888, with the following charter members: George H. Crandall, Dorr
Kent, Charles H. Soper, A. Moison, A. R. Knapp, W. A. Parker, E. B.
Sutton, Frank A. Chase, H. W. Green, D. L. Congdon, A. C. Buell,
F. A. Sawyer, W. H. Selleck, Alanson Freeman, Joseph S. Benedict,
W. H. H. Osborne, Charles W. Powers, R. F. Poyzer, W. H. Dixon,
John Devoist, F. G. Crandall, W. J. Vail, G. A. Williams, S. T. De La
156 LANDMARKS OF
Mater, Fred Smith, James Palmer, J. W. Hersey. Of these, five —
Messrs. Crandall, Kent, Freeman, Soper, and Benedict — were members
of the old lodge. The first officers were as follows: George H. Cran-
dall, N. G. ; W. H. H. Osborne, Y. G. ; R. F. Poyzer, permanent sec-
retary; Charles W. Powers, recording secretary; A. R. Knapp, treas-
urer; R. F. Poyzer, W. ; W. A. Parker. C. ; W. H. Dixon, R. S. N. G. ;
F. A. Sawyer, L. S. N. G. ; Jno. Devoist, R. S. V. G. ; F. A. Chase.
L. S. V. G. ; F. G. Crandall, I. G. ; H. \V. Green, O. G. ; W. J. Vail,
R. S. S. ; D. L. Congdon, L. S. S. The officers elected June 28, L894,
are as follows: John Anderson, N. G. ; R. N. Backus, V. G. ; R. F.
Poyzer, secretary; F. A. Chase, treasurer.
In the latter part of the year 1845 five petitioners, including Zina
Hooker, Joseph Congdon, Isaac Miller, Aaron Brooks, and one not now
known, resolved to organize a lodge of Odd Fellows for the town of
Galen. This resulted in the formation of Galen Lodge Xo. 198 in Jan-
uary, 1846. The first twro principal officers were Zina Hooker, X. G. ;
and Joseph Congdon, V. G. In the renumbering of lodges in this State
in 1848 this lodge became No. 36. It enjoyed a fair degree of prosper-
ity until 1860, when it was discontinued. Siloam Encampment, which
was connected with the old lodge and had existed about ten years, sus-
pended two years earlier than the lodge. Upon the petition of J. Scott,
G. P. Livingston, J. Curry, X. Hovey, J. T. Van Buskirk, P. Simons,
P. Furlong, P. Sloan, and B. Brewster, Clyde Lodge No. 300 was or-
ganized on the 19th of February, 1872, with the following officers: J.
Scott, N. G. ; G. P. Livingston, V. G. ; James Curry, secretary; J. T.
Van Buskirk, W. ; N. Hovey, treasurer; D. L. Stow, C. ; P. Simons,
R. S. N. G. ; A. E. Adams, L. S. N. G. ; P. Furlong, L. S. V. G. ; B.
Brewster, I. G. ; P. Sloan, O. G. A room for this lodge was fitted up
in Sloan's block, Glasgow street, and weekly meetings were held. The
membership is now about sixty. The following officers were elected in
July. L894: A. E. Littlejohn, N. G. ; A. C. Burnette, V. G. ; B. X. Mar-
riott, secretary; W. E. Meade, treasurer; Thomas Howes, R. S. X. G. ;
H. Fiske, L. S. X. G. ; C. A. Sloan, W. ; A. F. Groescup, C. ; F. A.
Haugh, R. S. S. ; J. G. Groesbeck, L. S. S. ; C. H. Tuck, R. S. V. G. :
John Stock, L. S. V. G. ; C. S. Eldridge, J. G. ; C. H. Ford, O. G. ; J.
F. Ford, Rep. to G. L. ; A. E, Adams, proxy.
Canton Galen Xo. 49, I. O. O. F., was mustered August 8, IS'.'o, with
twenty-two members and the following officers : C. H. Ford, captain;
Thomas Howes, lieutenant; 1). L. Edwards, ensign; J. W. ll.Shipler,
WAYNE COUNTY. 157
clerk; E. F. Stoetzel, accountant. These officers were re-elected in
April, 1894. The company is uniformed.
Newark Lodge No. 196, I. O. O. F., was originally instituted on the
1st of January, 1840, with James D. Ford, N. G. This lodge ceased to
work in 1859, through loss by fire. Their building, finished and dedi-
cated March 27, 1849, was burned with all the lodge property. On
October 19, 1870, the lodge was instituted as Newark Lodge No. 250,
with the following charter members and officers: C. G. Pomeroy, N. G. ;
AY. S. Bartle, V. G. ; H. F. C. Mayer, secretary; J. D. Ford, treasurer;
and Peter McGregor and Moses P. Hamm; of these only Mr. Hamm is
living. The following have served the lodge as N. G. : C. G. Pomeroy,
E. P. Soverill, D. L. Ford, H. M. Shepard, L. S. Pratt, Solon Briggs,
W. L. Willett, James Garlock, H. J. Pierson, S. Stuerwald, A. H.
Yanderbilt, C. E. Burleigh, Wesley S. Drake, Peter C. Howe, James
R. Brainard, W. B. Randolph, Richard P. Groat, Sylvanus Krum, Uri
Hutchins, Reeves S. Welcher, Latham Coffin, Jacob E. Stever, P. E.
Nellis, Cyrus A. Tator, Charles W. Sherman, George F. Palmer, Leman
H. Purchase, Levi A. Loveland, Andrew D. Soverill, Frank G. Bailey,
James T. George, Leonard Cozzens, Irving W. Colburn, James A.
vStiles, Arthur Blackmar, Fred C. Shaw, Jacob H. Bender, George C.
Brewer, D. J. Rehklau, A. E. Pike, John S. Hedden, Willard B. Gar-
lock, Silas D. Borroughs, George W. Muth, L. S. Pratt, W. M. Filkins,
Oscar D. Vanderbilt, L. H. Morse, Rev. Mr. Barber, George C.
Pierson. This lodge has been prosperous and now numbers about
eighty-five members. On April 26, 1876, the lodge hall in the Storv
Block was formally dedicated. Officers elected July 1, 1894: George C.
Pierson, N. G. ; E. D. Miller, V. G. ; Ralph Conklin, secretary, Warren
S. Bartle, treasurer.
W.ayne Encampment No. 85, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Newark,
October 7,. 1875, with the following charter members: Solon Briggs,
W. S. Bartle, C. Pell, A. H. Van Derbilt, E. E. Burleigh, L. Coffin,
J. H. Pulver, W. L. Willett, P. McGregor.
The first Odd Fellows organization in Lyons was Lyons Lodge No.
75, which was organized in October, 1846, with the following five mem-
bers: William W. Sanford, N. G. ; William H. Sisson, V. G. ; and Morton
Brownson, John Frazier, and a Mr. Lawton. The first meeting was
held in the Wayne County Hotel, and later a room in the third story of
the Hartnagel building was leased for a term of years, and properly
fitted up. The lodge prospered for a time, and had more than one
158 LANDMARKS OF
hundred members; but it closed in 1867, when its members numbered
sixty-two.
Lyons Lodge No. 317, I. O. O. F., was organized in April, 1872, in
the Center building, and in June, 1874, removed to the third story of
Gavitt's Block. A little later rooms were furnished in the third story
of the Center building, and taken on a long lease. The six charter
members were: Joseph McCall, N. G. ; Cornelius Pell, V. G. ; G. W.
Cramer, secretary; Andrew Fries, treasurer; and M. vS. Leach and
Horace Utter. The officers elected for 1894 are as follows: Valentine
Kaiser, N. G. ; Charles Barnhardt, V. G. ; P. F. Seaman, secretary: A.
T. Robinson, treasurer; W. E. McCullom, representative to Grand
Lodge.
Component No. 17, of Grand Canton Stebbins, of Rochester, was
organized at Lyons in June, 1893, and has a membership of thirty-two.
Nelson Morris is captain, and C. S. Thompson, clerk.
Bay Shore Lodge No. 606, I. O. O. F., was organized at North Rose
village, August 20, 1891, with A. R. Proseus, N. G. ; G. W. Seager,
V. G. ; and F. E. Soper, secretary ; the lodge then had fifteen members,
and has since increased to about twenty-five. The following persons
have held the office of N . G. : A. R. Proseus, G. W. Seager, Clark Halli-
day, Warren W. Morey, A. M. Gray, Elmer E. Mitchell. The follow-
ing officers were installed July 14, 1894: B. T. Drury, N. G. ; C. W.
Oaks, V. G. ; C. Halliday, secretary; A. M. Gray, treasurer.
North Sodus Lodge No. 454, I. O. O. F., was initiated September 22,
1876, with six charter members as follows: Alonzo Barnes, J. Henry
Zelsche, Millard S. Robinson, S. G. Brumfield, Charles M. Sentell,
Albert Dodd. The first officers elected were: Alonzo Barnes, N. (i. ;
Albert Dodd, V. G. ; M. S. Robinson, secretary; S. G. Brumfield,
treasurer. The officers for 1894 are as follows: S. N. Parker, N. G. ;
Charles Edwards, V. G. ; G. F. Hendricks, secretary; J. Stebbins,
treasurer. The lodge has a membership of forty-three.
East Ridge Lodge No. 415, I. O. O. F., of Sodus, was initiated in
August, 1849, and its charter was granted from Baltimore, Md., in De-
cember, 1850. It continued in existence until 1857, when it disbanded.
Butler Lodge No. 504, I. ( ). O. F., was initiated December 29, 1882,
with twenty-two members. Its charter was granted October 13, 1882.
The first officers were: N. De L. Bowen, N. G. ; Dr. James F. Munn,
V. G. ; X. R. Hurd, secretary; James L. Wadsworth, treasurer. The
lodge was instituted by district deputy G. M. James T.George of Newark,
WAYNE COUNTY. 159
assisted by others from abroad. The successive N. G.'s of the lodge
have been: James F. Mtmn, M. D., E. H. Cady, J. E. Rogers, Andrew
J. Bradway, De Witt C. Wheeler. H. O. Baggerly, jr., Henry W. Cro-
foot, James L. Wadsworth, Ensign L. Adams, D. P. Mitchell, William
H. Clapp, Henry D. Wetmore, Charles C. Taylor, Alexander C. Clapp,
Selden E. Helmer, Thomas S. Law, Dudley S. Reed, James Wheeler,
George W. Williams, Hurley H. Hopkins, Dr. William J. Coppernoll,
Selden E. Helmer. The officers for 1894 are as follows: Silas D. Cro-
foot, N. G. ; James Shannon, V. G. ; D. P. Mitchell, secretary; William
H. Clapp, treasurer. Gorham H. Wilson is delegate to the Odd Fellows
Home Association at Lockport, the first from this lodge. The member-
ship is fifty.
Ontario Shore Lodge No. 495, of Wolcott, was initiated February 9,
1882, with H. L. Bowen, J. Madison Henslee, W. A. Coventry, J. A.
Merrill, Albert Dodd, and S. H. Foster as charter members. The first
officers were: Rev. H. L. Bowen, N. G. ; J. Madison Henslee, V. G. ;
S. H. Foster, secretary; J. A. Merrill, treasurer; W. A. Coventry, P. G.
Forty-five candidates were initiated. The officers for 1894 are as
follows: Walter Darling, N. G. ; R. B. Smith, V. G. ; E. H. Kellogg,
secretary; E. E. Shafft, treasurer.
CHAPTER XIV.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, COUNTY INSTITUTIONS, &c.
Mention has made in an early page of this work that one of the meas-
ures adopted by Charles Williamson for the encouragement of settlers,
was the holding of fairs for the advancement of agriculture in Western
New York. It was his intention to continue them semi-annually. The
first fair held in Ontario county was at Geneva in 1807, and a notice in
the newspaper announced the exhibition in October of a large number
of cattle, horses, sheep, hogs, etc. , with samples of wheat and other
grains from different parts of Genesee county. The next fair was held
on the first Tuesday in May, 1808.
Of the annual appropriation of $20,000, provided by the Legislature
in March, 1818, to be distributed in various counties of this State and
160 LANDMARKS OF
to be used in aid of agriculture through premiums offered at fairs, On-
tario county received $1,000. In February, 1819, a meeting was held
at which the first Ontario County Agricultural Society was formed. A
premium list was afterward prepared, and the first fair held, beginning
October 18, at Canandaigua.
We need not follow the fortunes of that organization further than to
note that Wayne county farmers had their share in its exhibitions and
general prosperity. In 1830 an exhibition of flowers, fruits, and gar-
den vegetables was held in Lyons, which awakened considerable inter-
est and was well attended. Other similar exhibitions were held in New-
ark, Lyons and Palmyra, at some of which limited numbers of live
stock were shown.
In December, 1838, a meeting was held in Lyons and the Wayne
County Agricultural Society was organized. The following first officers
were elected: president, Hon. John Boynton; first vice-president. Dr.
C. S. Button; second vice-president, Samuel Hecox; third vice-presi-
dent, Samuel E. Hudson; fourth vice-president, Reuben H. Foster;
fifth vice-president, J. P. Bartle; secretary, Hamilton Rogers; execu-
tive committee, C. S. Button, F. Hemingway, John Baker, Samuel
West, Abel Fairchilds: committee on field crops, William R. Smith,
William D. Cook, A. G. Barney.
After the adoption of the constitution this society had ten years of
unexampled prosperity. The annual fairs were held at Palmyra, New-
ark, Lyons, Clyde, and Rose Valley, the place selected each year at the
annual meeting.
At the meeting in Lyons, in December, 1848, the following officers
were elected: president, J. D. Ford; vice-presidents, E. N. Thomas,
Samuel Hudson, Jacob Furgeson, A. G. Percy, John Barrodale, Jede-
diah Wilder, Joel Hale; recording secretary, N. B. Caswell; corres-
ponding secretary, J. J. Thomas; treasurer, P. W. Kenyon;- executive
committee, W. P. Nottingham, Cullen Foster, Daniel Kenyon, Daniel
Jenison, E. Flint.
At this meeting an important resolution was adopted, indicating both
that the society was not in as prosperous a condition as formerly and
that the belief was general that a permanent location should be secured
as one means of renewing former prosperity. Six years later, in De-
cember, 1851, it was finally resolved "that the fairs of the society shall
hereafter be permanently located at Lyons." Tocarryout tin's purpose
a new society was organized under a legislative act passed April 13,
WAYNE COUNTY. 161
1855, and* on the 23d of that month the old society met in Lyons, paid
their liabilities, transferred the money remaining- in the treasury (about
$300) to the new society, and disbanded. At a meeting- held May 15,
1855, the following officers were elected: President, De Witt Van Slyck;
vice-president, Robert Ennis; secretary, P. P. Bradish; treasurer, Wil-
liam D. Perrine; directors, E. N. Thomas, A. G. Percy, E. B. Kellogg,
S. Tincklepaugh, Alfred Hale, Henry Teachout.
Subscriptions were solicited in Lyons, and the citizens promptly gave
$1,700, and the Board of Managers purchased eleven acres of land on
the Clyde River, a little east of Lyons village, possessing natural feat-
ures that render it one of the best sites in the State for spch purposes.
The board erected a large hall 56 x 80 feet, with galleries, at a cost of
$1,200, the land having cost $1,710. The building was burned in 1877
and a short period of discouragement and apathy succeeded. During
two years, fairs were held first. in Wolcott and next in Sodus. About
1879 the Lyons Driving Park Association was formed and bought six
acres lying on the west side of the fair grounds, and constructed on the
whole a half-mile track. A joint lease was made in the same year be-
tween the two societies for ten years, each organization to have exclu-
sive use of the grounds during fairs and races, and all revenues accru-
ing from other sources were to be divided equally between the two or-
ganizations. The arrangement created dissatisfaction which culminated
in 1881 in the erection of the present fair building by the Agricultural
Society, and the beginning of litigation, which ended only in the dis-
bandment of the Driving Park Association in 1886. J. C. Myers was
made president of the Agricultural Society in 1885, at which time he
bought in the entire stock of the Driving Park Association amounting
to $3,400, and transferred it to the Agricultural Society. This action
gave the latter society possession of eighteen acres of land and build-
ings. In the meantime it had become badly involved in debt and liti-
gation, but under the energetic direction of Mr. Myers and his associate
officers, a very successful fair was held in 1885, the premiums were paid
in full, debts were extinguished and additional structures erected on
the grounds. In 1889 Mr. Myers declined the presidency and another
period of decline set in, continuing until the spring of 1894, at which
time a debt had accumulated of over $1,800. Mr. Myers was then
again induced to accept the presidency of the society, and an effort is
now in progress to place its affairs in prosperous condition. The officers
of the society for 1894 are as follows: president, Joseph C. Myers; vice-
21
162 LANDMARKS OF
president, Dwight Chamberlain; secretary, William E. Collum ; treas.
uaer, C. M. Baltzel.
The following named persons, among others, became life-members of
this society : R. L. Adams, William H. Adams, John Adams, Walter
Akenhead, Philip Althen, Silas Bashford, Clark Bartlett, P. P. Bradish,
W. L. Belden, S. W. Belden, Henry Baltzel, George H. Boehmler, J.
S. Boice, E. W. Bottom, B. J. Bradley, M. Brownson, James M. Brad-
ley, John Bradley, Daniel Chapman, E. C. Cosart, F. E. Cornwell, Co-
lumbus Croul, George W. Cramer, William Clark, Frederick Deck, Mrs.
M. Dunn, Robert Ennis, Elizur Flint, S. B. Gavitt, Daniel Goetzman,
L. Griswold, N. W. Geer, H. Graham, William Howlett, Amos Har-
rington, Thomas Harrington, S. S. Herrick, S. D. Holmes, John Hano,
H. G. Hotchkiss, Alfred Hale, Jacob Jeheer, S. H. Klinck, William H.
King, M. S. Leach, Heman J. Leach, Edwin B. Leach, S. Lewis, Isaac
Lovejoy, John Lay ton, E. G. Leonard, Joseph McCall, N. R. Mirick,
Milton Mirick, H. C. Mead, J. T. Mackenzie, Z. Moore, William D.
Perrine, J. B. Pierce, H. W. Putney, E. B. Price, F. H. Palmeter, A.
D. Polhamus, Charles Pickett, Caleb Rice, Aaron Remsen, Erastus
Rogers, B. R. Rogers, Thomas Rogers, James Rogers, G. R. Rudd,
John Robinson, D. R. Rozell, John C. Roys, William H. Sisson, E. W.
Sylvester, B. R. Streety, John H. Spencer, Samuel Scott, jr., Lyman
Sherwood, William Smelt, Newell Taft, Henry Teachout, E. N. Thomas,
E. P. Taylor, E. G. Thurston, Job Travice, De Witt C. Van Slyck,
William Van Camp, William Van Marter, B. P. Van Marter, Michael
Vanderbilt, John Vanderbilt, P. R. Westfall, John Westfall, Daniel
Westfall, W. W. Wormwood, John Walter, Harvey Warren, Denison
Wilder.
The Palmyra Union Agricultural Society. — About the time that
measures were adopted for the permanent location of the County Agri-
cultural Society in Lyons, the farmers of the southwestern and western
parts of the county organized the society bearing the above title. The
date of organization was June 26, 1856, and the following were elected
the first officers: President, Martin Butterfield ; vice-presidents, Stephen
Hyde, William H. Teller, Russell Stoddard; secretary, Carlton II.
Rogers; treasurer, Joseph C. Lovett; directors, Luther Sand ford,
Stephen K. Williams, Theron <1. Yeomans, Daniel dates, William H.
Rogers, and Jacob C. Pettitt. Besides these men the following were
charter members: A. Salisbury, L. Robinson, Joel Foster, F. D.
Rogers, A.' J. Downing, J. M. Briggs, J. G. Philipps, William R. John-
WAYNE COUNTY. 163
son, George H. Cuyler, W. P. Nottingham, A. Sherman, and W. F.
Aldrich.
This society purchased about twenty acres of land of Daniel dates in
1856 at a cost of $3,000, and a floral hall was erected the same year.
The first fair was held in the fall of 1856, and they have been continued
annually ever since, all of which have been successful. The society as
a whole has been prosperous; premiums have been paid in full; several
dividends on stock have been paid and there is now (1894) about $700
in the treasury.
The officers of this society for 189-4 are as follows: President, Charles
D. Johnson (served since 1879 and was recording secretary from 1864 to
1889); corresponding secretary, E. S. Averill (served since 1868); re-
cording secretary, P. F. Aldrich; treasurer, David S. Aldrich.
The following persons have held the office of president of this society :
Martin Butterfield, 1857; Luther Sanford, 1858-59; Eliab Yeomans,
1860-61; Abraham I. Carle, 1862; Henry J. Foster, 1863; N ahum War-
ner, 1864-65; William P. Nottingham, 1866-69; Henry Sawyer, 1870;
William P. Nottingham, 1871-77; Henry M. Clark, 1878-79; Charles
D. Johnson, 1880-94.
The Agricultural, Horticultural and Mechanical Association of Galen
was organized at Liberty Hall in Clyde, December 22, 1849, and had
quite a successful existence until a few years since, when it was closed
out. The first officers were: Joseph Watson, president; Benjamin H.
Streeter, secretary; Matthew Mackie, treasurer; Jacob T. Van Buskirk,
librarian. Owing to the determined opposition of the early officers to
horse racing, the organization passed through a period of decline, and
on December 27, 1856, the last board of officers of the old association
was elected as follows: Maynard Dayton, president; E. D. Kellog, A.
Snedaker, E. Ringer, S. J. Lape, P. T. Chamberlain, vice-presidents;
George W. Cowles, secretary ; Thomas Plumtree, treasurer. Just prior
to this date a new interest had been awakened in the annual fairs and
prosperity seemed about to dawn. Having no legal existence, the of-
ficers and members met March 14, 1857, and dissolved the old associa-
tion, immediately reorganizing as the Galen Agricultural Society, which
was duly incorporated. The following officers were chosen : Maynard
Dayton, president; Matthew Mackie, vice-president; George W. Cowles,
secretary; Thomas Plumtree, treasurer. From this time until 1888. in-
clusive, the society held fairs and had exhibitions of trotting horses in
the park established by William H. Saunders, where commodious build-
164 LANDMARKS OF
ings had been erected. January 21, 1888, the name was changed to the
Eastern Wayne Agricultural Society, with William S. Hunt, president;
L. N. Snow, vice-president; E. W. Sherman, secretary; and Frank
Backman, treasurer. The exhibition of 1889 was held at Wolcott, and
soon afterward the society disbanded.
The Newark Fair Association was organized at Newark in 1891, with
these officers: J. Dupha Reeves, president; C. E. Leggett, treasurer;
C. H. Perkins, secretary. Successful fairs were held for three years.
In 1894 the association disbanded and the property passed to another
society.
The Sodus Agricultural Society was organized August 16, 1878, with
the following as the first officers : H. C. Weaver, president; H. B. Pulver,
vice-president; L. H. Clark, secretary; W. J. Filkins, treasurer; E.
Rogers, general superintendent; R. F. Norn's, J. Vosburgh, J. A.
Boyd, Milton Proseus, John Hopp, Orville Carpenter, directors. Grounds
owned by Lorenzo Whitney, on which he had constructed a half-mile
track, were leased by the society, and successful fairs have been regu-
larly held since the first organization. The successive presidents of this
society have been as follows: Harvey C. Weaver, 1879-81; M. Tinkle-
paugh, 1882-84; C. A. Whitbeck, 1883; John A. Boyd, 1885-86; M.
Tinklepaugh, 1887-93; C. R. Sprong, 1888-90; C. A. Whitbeck, 1891-
93. The officers for 1894 are as follows: M. Tinklepaugh, president;
E. B. Whitbeck, vice-president; W. J. Toor, secretary; A. J. Maxon,
treasurer; D. L. Weaver, general superintendent; H. M. Barnes, M.J.
Seymour, M. Tinklepaugh, John A. Sargent, John Gulick, William
Tinklepaugh, directors.
The Marion Horse Trotters' Association was organized August 1,
L890, its name indicating its objects. Officers: T. M. Clark, president;
J. C. Rich, secretary; A. P. Williams, treasurer. A tract of land, one-
half mile north of Marion village, was leased of B. D. Davis for five
years, and a half-mile track constructed. The Executive Committee
consists <>f A. P. Williams, J. B. Malcolm, F. C. Rich, T. M. Clark, and
J. C. Rich.
County Poor House. — The buildings of the Wayne county poor-house
are situated upon the county farm, which lies some two miles west of
the village of Lyons. The farm contains 190 acres, the greater part of
which is tillable. The buildings consist of a main part (sixty by eighty
I and two stories above the basement; a wooden structure connects
with the 'same, in size twenty by forty feet; there is a wood, a wash,
WAYNE COUNTY. 165
and other out-buildings; there is also in the same inclosure an asylum
for lunatics, built of brick (twenty-six by fifty-four feet), and one story
high. A project is now (1894) on foot for the erection of a hospital
building. Rooms are kept clean and well ventilated. James T. Wisner
was superintendent a number of years, and made many improvements.
Annually the supervisors visit the farm on a tour of inspection.
CHAPTER XV.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF PALMYRA.
Palnryra, including Macedon, originally formed a part of the district
of Tolland in the County of Ontario; this district was organized in a
primitive manner in January, 1780, being contemporary with the great
district of Sodus on the north and west. Macedon was set off January
29, 1823, and upon the organization of Wayne county on April 11, of
that year, the town of Palmyra comprised its present area of 19,430
acres. It includes township 12, second range, of the Pultney estate.
It is bounded on the north by Marion, on the east by Arcadia, on the
south by Ontario county, and on the west by Macedon, and lies in the
southwest part of Wayne county.
The surface is broken into hills and valleys, which trend generally
north and south. The soil is a calcareous loam, with marl on the creek
bottoms, and drift, sand, and gravel on the highlands. Ganargwa
(Mud) Creek, the principal stream, flows easterly through the town,
and affords some good mill sites; in earlier days it was utilized for
navigation. Its main tributaries are Red Creeks, one joining it at
Palmyra village, and the other a little east of East Palmyra. The soil
is well adapted to agricultural purposes, and throughout the town are
found many excellent farms. It was originally covered with heavy
timber, which long afforded employment for several saw mills. These
dense forests have long since given place to fertile fields, productive
orchards, and pleasant homes. The inhabitants, some of whom are
descended from the original settlers, ably maintain the thrifty principles
implanted by the sturdy pioneers, who opened the way for commercial
progress and personal enjoyment. Wheat raising, once the chief agri-
166 LANDMARKS OF
cultural production, has been suspended by a system of mixed farming;
for many years considerable attention has been devoted to fruit grow-
ing, especially to apples. Here the famous Osband pear originated.
Of late years the production of peppermint has been profitably carried
on.
The first highway was what is now Canandaigua street, leading south-
ward from Palmyra village; it was opened about 1703, and for many
years was maintained as a plank road. An extension of this thorough-
fare was the old Sodus road, which ran north and northeast to Sodus
Point, and which was opened in 1704 by Captain Charles Williamson,
who paid $757 for its construction. In 1703 a road was surveyed from
Deacon Foster's house, westwardly, by the houses of Joel Foster, Wil-
liam Wilison, Weaver Osband, Gideon Durfee, and Swift's Ash Works,
to Webb Harwood's. In the old book of records appears this notice
under date of June 6, 1706: "A division of the highways in the district
of' Tolland in County of Ontario are as follows:" and the record pro-
ceeds to describe twelve road districts; William Rogers and Reuben
Town, highway commissioners, and Jonathan Edwards, town clerk. In
1707 another division was made. In 1805 the town had 15 road districts;
1807, 18; 1810, 23; 1816, 32. A part of the present road from Palmyra
to Pultneyville was surveyed June 13, 1<^20, by Isaac Durfee and Luman
Harrison, highway commissioners, "with the poor old town compass."
Canandaigua street, above mentioned, was resurveyed in 1810, and
October 8, L828, was again surveyed, this time five rods wide, to Man-
chester, Ontario county; it then became a State road, and at this time
George Crane, Alva Hendee, and Joshua Downer were commissioners
of highways. The town now has 47 road districts.
January L6, L799, "Mud Creek" (Ganargwa Creek) was officially de-
clared a navigable stream from the west line of road district 12, second
range, to mouth of same (creek), by Benjamin Wells and John Swift,
"superintendents of highways."
The completion of the Erie Canal through the town in L825 imparted
a new impetus to local settlement and commercial prosperity, and the
advent of the New York Central Railroad in 1853, with stations at Pal-
myra and East Palmyra, added another improvement. The West Shore
Railroad, with a station at Palmyra village, was opened in 1884. These
thoroughfares afford unsurpassed transportation facilities.
Tlic town was primitively known by the name of Swift, tor John Swift,
the first settler, but it was soon changed to Tolland, or the District of
WAYNE COUNTY.
Hu
Tolland, which remained the designation until January 4-, ll'.iii, when,
at a meeting held for the purpose, the historic name of Palmyra was de-
cided upon, in this wise: Daniel Sawyer, brother of Mrs. Swift, was en-
gaged to Miss Dosha Boughton, the first school teacher, and had been
reading ancient history ; and as Palmyra of old had a Zenobia he thought
it proper his future wife should have a Palmyra, so the name was adopted
without dissent.
The first town meeting was held at the house of Gideon Durfee in
April, 1796, more than eight years after the District of Tolland was
formed. The first officers elected were: John Swift, " moderator, in-
spector, and supervisor;" Jonathan Edwards, town clerk: Festus Gold-
smith, Jonathan Warner, Humphrey Sherman, assessors; William Por-
ter, collector; Noah Porter and Thomas Goldsmith, overseers of the poor;
JaredComstock, Reuben Town, William Rogers, commissioners of high-
ways; James Bradish, and James Reeves, constables; James Reeves,
John Hurlbut, Joel Foster, Luther Sanford, David Warner, Benjamin
Wood, Abner Hill, Cyrus Parker, Thomas Hamilton, Henry Lovell,
Nerman Merry, Nathan Harris, Jacob Gannett, pathmasters; David
Warner, John Hurlbut, Elias Reeves, f ence viewers ; Isaac Kelly, pound-
master. Joel Foster bid off the first earmark and Jonah Howell the
second ; forty-nine persons paid for earmarks at this meeting. A bounty
of $5 was voted on wolves and two cents each on " crows, squirrels,
woodpeckers, and blackbirds." It was voted that a pound be erected
"near Daniel Sawyer's old house."
The following list of those who had " earmarks " for stock recorded
embraces nearly all of the heads of families in the District of Tolland
in 1796;
James Reeves,
Lemuel Spear,
William Porter,
Israel Delano,
Timothy Conant,
Festus Goldsmith,
William Jackway,
John Crandall,
Pardon Wilcox,
Henry Lovetell,
Reuben Town,
Benjamin Luce,
Luther Sanford,
Alexander Rowley,
David Warner,
Isaac Howell,
John Russell,
David Culver,
Gideon Durfee, jr. ,
Reuben Town,
John Gibson,
Noah Porter,
Oliver Clark,
Thomas Goldsmith,
Joseph Bradish,
John Hulburt,
Benjamin Clark,
Benjamin Woods,
Joel W. Foster,
David H. Foster,
John Swift,
Nathan Reeves,
Gideon Durfee,
Humphrey Sherman,
Job Durfee,
Moses Culver,
Elias Reeves,
Thomas Rogers,
Edward Durfee,
Bennett Bates,
Darius Comstock,
Nathan Harriss,
168
LANDMARKS OF
Elisha San ford.
Jonah Howell,
Jonathan Warner,
Joel Foster,
Robert Hinds.
The supervisors of Palmyra have been as follows:
John Swift, 1796,
Jonah Howell, 1797-98,
John Swift, 1799-02,
Nathan Comstoek, 1803,
John Swift, 1804-06,
William Rogers, 1807-08,
Pardon Durfee, 1809-14,
David White, 1815-20,
James White, 1821-22,
William Rogers, 1823,
Stephen Sherman, 1N2 4,
Frederick Smith, 1825,
Stephen Sherman,- 1826,
Frederick Smith, 1827-28,
Ambrose Salisbury, 1829-31,
Frederick Smith, 1832-34,
Ambrose Salisbury, 1835.37,
George W. Cuyler, 1838-39,
James Hubbell, 1840-41,
Ambrose Salisbury, 1842,
Samuel Cole, 1843,
Samuel E. Hudson, 1844,
Pomeroy Tucker, 1845,
William Beal, 1846,
Augustus Elmendorf, 1S47-48
Thomas W. Gurney, 1849,
Augustus Elmendorf, 1850,
Pomeroy Tucker, 1851-52,
Abraham I. Carle, 1853,
Philip Palmer, 1854,
Charles E. Thurber. 1855,
A. P. Crandall, 1856-58,
William H. Bowman, 1859,
William B. Crandall, I860,
Henry S. Flower, 1861-65,
Charles I. Ferrin, 1866,
Charles D. Johnson, 1867-70.
William Foster, 1871,
Henry P. Knowles, 1872-73,
Robert Johnson, 1874,
Geoi'ge Harrison, 1875-79,
Henry M. Clark, 1880-81,
Nelson Reeves, 1882-84,
Henry R. Durfeee, 1885-88,
James O. Clark, 1889-92.
William W. Edgerton, 1898-94,
The town officers for 1894 are: W. W. Edgerton, supervisor; Alex-
ander P. Milne, town clerk; Charles P. Winslow, Charles H. Chapman,
Jones L. Warner, assessors; Charles H. Brown, overseer of the poor;
Sylvester Selleck, collector; Salem W. Sweezey, highway commissioner;
E. H. Clark, Joseph J. Rogers, James P. Tuttle, Mark C. Finley, jus-
tices of the peace. The first record of incumbents of the latter office
appears in 1805, when William Rogers and Pardon Durfee became jus-
tices.
In 17(52 a colony of 200 settlers located in the beautiful valley of
Wyoming in Northeast Pennsylvania; in 1774 their number had in-
creased to about 2,000. Conflicting claims led to the Pennamite war,
and several of the settlers, forming a company, decided to emigrate.
They chose John Swift and John Jenkins their agents to select and buy
new lands. Jenkins had previously been a surveyor for the Phelps and
Gorham purchase, and with Mr. Swift he came to Canandaigua, where
they contracted for township twelve, second range (the present town of
(2f. C/V. <2fczwLy,m
WAYNE COUNTY. 169
Palmyra). Mr. Jenkins at once began the survey of farm lots along
the Ganargwa (Mud Creek) ; he built a cabin about two miles below
Palmyra village, which sheltered his surveying party, consisting of Solo-
mon Earle, Alpheus Harris, Daniel Ranson, and a Mr. Barker. Early
one morning, while asleep, they were attacked by a party of Tuscarora
Indians, who fired through the unchinked logs of their cabin. Barker
was killed and Earle was wounded ; the others put the assailants to
flight, and at daylight buried Barker. They immediately went to
Geneva, gave the alarm, pursued the savages, and captured two on the
Chemung; one was executed under "committee law" with a hatchet,
but the other escaped; Earle recovered and became the pioneer ferry-
man on the Seneca outlet.
This incident caused the abandonment of the Pennsylvania move-
ment. John Swift went to New England, where he labored to induce
emigration, and in September, 1790, established his family in a bark-
covered log house just north of the lower end of Main street in Palmyra
village. This was the first permanent white settlement in the present
town, and his location was long known as Swift's landing. His wife
was a typical pioneer woman, and had more than one encounter with
the dusky Indians. He was a very prominent man in the pioneer set-
tlement, being supervisor in all eight years, and holding several other
positions of trust. In 1810 he built the first grist mill in town opposite
the old Harrison mill, and at his cabin, as captain, held the first militia
training; there also the first church in Palmyra and the third west of
Onondaga county was organized. He also gave lots for the first school
house, the first burial place, and the first church in Palmyra village.
His son, Asa Swift, was the first white male child born in town. Mr.
Swift became brevet general in the war of 1812, and at Queenston
Heights led a force against Fort George, where he captured a picket-
post and about sixty men. " An oversight permitted the prisoners to
retain their arms," and one of them asking, " Who is General Swift? "
he replied: "/am General Swift!" Instantly a fatal shot mortally
wounded the gallant man; he was taken to the nearest house and died,
and was buried July 12, 1814. Afterwards the citizens of Palmyra re-
moved his remains to the old cemetery, and the Legislature, as an ac-
knowledgment of his patriotism and services, presented a sword to his
eldest son, and ordered a full length portrait of the general hung in the
City Hall in New York.
22
170 LANDMARKS OF
Webb Harwood, who came from Adams, Mass., with his wife, in the
fall of L789, settled just over the line inMacedon; with him came Jona-
than Warner, Noah Porter, and Bennett Bates, three single men. David
White moved in with his family in 1790; he died soon afterward, and
his was the first funeral in this. town. Of those who settled soon after
were James Galloway, sr., John Hurlburt, Nathan Parshall, William
Jaekway, Barney Horton, Jonathan Millett, and Mrs. Tiffany. Lemuel
Spear had purchased land of Isaac Hathaway, a mile west of Palmyra
village, for twenty-five cents an acre, and moved his family of eleven
children hither in February, 1791, bringing two yoke of oxen, some
cows, and a few sheep. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and came
from Massachusetts. He died in 1809, and his last surviving children
were Ebenezer, Abraham, and Stephen. Ebenezer Spear burned for
Gen. Othniel Taylor, of Canandaigua, the first limekiln west of Seneca
Lake. The first corn carried to mill from this town was by Noah Por-
ter in 1790, who made the trip to Jerusalem, Yates county. Mr. Por-
ter erected the first frame barn in Palmyra, and Lemuel Spear the
second.
In 1790 Gideon and Edward Durfee came on foot from Tiverton, R. I.,
to the Genesee country and purchased 1,600 acres of John Swift, paying
for the same in coin. Swift had been unable to meet his payments to
Phelps and Gorham, but this deal enabled him to secure a warranty
deed of the town. Gideon Durfee moved the entire family to Palmyra
in 1791, and settled on their tract, long known as Durfee street, below
the village. With them came Isaac Springer, and the three men built
a log house and planted six acres of corn ; they also planted apple seeds,
from which grew the old Durfee orchard — the first cultivated apples
raised in Palmyra. Pardon Durfee subsequently planted some pear
seeds, which produced a seedling that he gave to his brother-in-law,
Weaver Osband; the latter brought it into bearing, and in this way
originated the famous Osband pear. Pardon, Stephen, and Job Durfee
were brothers of Gideon, and became settlers soon after 1791, as did
also the father, Gideon, sr. , and a sister, Ruth. The latter married
Captain William Wilcox, which was the first marriage in the town; she
died November 13, 1858. Lemuel Durfee came here in 1794. Gideon
Durfee, jr., had eleven children and numerous grandchildren. Stephen
Durfee, in raising his frame house in 181 1, inaugurated the first prac-
tical temperance movement in Palmyra.
WAYNE COUNTY. 171
Gideon Durfee opened as a tavern his log house, which stood on the
site of the subsequent residence of George H. Townsend, and Louis
Philippe, afterwards king of France, is said to have stopped with him
while on a visit to this country in 1796. Pardon Durfee established a
rope-walk, and continued it until his death, April 28, 1828. Job Durfee
purchased 375 acres of land, March 7, 1792, and died in town in 1813.
His son, Job, built a stone house on his farm on the Marion road about
1860, and died soon afterward.
In 1794 a block house was erected to protect the settlers in case of
hostilities with the Indians; in stood under the brow of " Wintergreen
hill."
Following the Durfees from Rhode Island came Weaver Osband,
William, James, and Thomas Rogers, Zebulon Williams, Isaac and
Festus Goldsmith, and Humphrey Sherman. The Rogers brothers
came in 1792. William was a judge of Ontario county, a magistrate,
and a member of the Legislature. Himself a widower, he married the
widow of his brother James, and died in 1836. A daughter became the
wife of Noah Porter. A son, William, was an early packetmaster on
the Erie Canal. Thomas Rogers, son of James and the father of
David, assisted in surveying the town.
David Wilcox, from Rhode Island, came with his wife and two chil-
dren in April, 1791 ; his daughter, Mary (Mrs. Alvah Hendee), born
June 29, 1791, was the first white child born in Palmyra. Nathan
Harris, father of Martin Harris, the Mormon, was a noted hunter and
fisherman. His wife was Rhoda, and in 1793 they moved from Rhode
Island to this town. February 3, 1794, he purchased of John Swift 600
acres of land at fifty cents an acre. He was familiarly known as
"Trout Harris."
Humphrey Sherman married Mary, eldest daughter of Gideon
Durfee, sr. , December 2, 1761. He purchased of John Swift for
eighteen cents per acre a tract of 1,000 acres, lying south of the creek
and bordering Arcadia. With his brother David Mr. Sherman began
clearing, and in 1793 built a log house and sowed ten acres of wheat.
In September, 1794, the family, consisting of eight children (including
Alexander, the father of Durfee A. Sherman), moved to their new
home. Humphrey Sherman built a blacksmith shop, and an ashery in
1794, a distillery in 1795, and a large brick building in 1801, which he
opened as a tavern. His wife died in 1794, and her burial was the first
at East Palmyra. The Sherman tract was sold in various parcels,
172 LANDMARKS OF
about as follows: Gideon Durfee, 200 acres, who sold to Israel Perry;
James Finney, 100 acres; Ashur Doolittle, a tract on the northwest;
Lnke Mason, south of Doolittle; and the remainder was divided between
the sons Gideon, Stephen, Alexander, Samuel, and Jacob. Ashur
Doolittle built and operated quite a large tannery for that period.
On lot 71 a Mr. Seeleyhad a small distillery; the land passed to P. D.
Fellows. Lot 70 was occupied by Joshua Zeny, then by B. J. Jordan,
and later by Peter Whitbeck; on lot 65, afterward the Hudson farm,
lived John Patrick; George P. Stever owned lot 69, and sold to P. D.
Zeller, who was succeeded by his son. Other residents in the neighbor-
hood were: Alexander Forcett, Charles Curtis, B. Franklin, and Thomas
and A. T. Goldsmith. James Galloway, sr., purchased 100 acres south
of the creek, paying for the same with a sow and litter of pigs ; this
tract passed to his son, James, jr. A large tract in the south part of the
town was owned by the Rogers family, and west of them lived E. Cornell
and Thomas Galloway.
The Long Island colony was perhaps the most important body of
settlers to take up their residence in Palmyra. A company consisting
of eleven persons was formed at Southampton, L. I., in 1788, and in the
spring of 1700 they sent their agents, Elias Reeves and Joel Foster, to
purchase a suitable location. These men visited Pittsburg, Pa., where
they were joined by Luke Foster, and the three went on to Fort Wash-
ington (now Cincinnati, O. ). There they bought land on the Turkey
bottoms, and leaving Luke Foster to build a log house returned to re-
port their success. Arriving home they found William Hopkins (uncle
to Elias Reeves and a son of Hon. Stephen Hopkins, a signer of the
Declaration of Independence) and Abraham Foster on a visit from New
Jersey. William Hopkins, who had been informed of the Genesee
country, induced the colon}" to relinquish their Ohio lands and seek a
location in Ontario county.
Accordingly Reeves and Hopkins were sent to Western New York,
and Joel and Abraham Foster and Luther Sanford were detailed to ex-
plore Northern Pennsylvania. The former left Long Island on the 20th
of August, 1791, and arriving in what is now Palmyra cut their names
upon some trees as a pre-emption mark. They soon joined the other
party at Lindleytown (now Corning), where the following compact was
drawn and signed :
This instrument of writing witnesseth, that William Hopkins, of the State of New
Jersey, Elias Reeves, Joel Foster, Abraham Foster, and Luther Sanford, all of the
WAYNE COUNTY. 173
State of New York, do agree and bind themselves severally, each to the other, under
the penalty of fifty pounds, to abide by and make good any purchase of land, which
Elias Reeves and Abraham Foster shall make of Oliver Phelps, esq., or. any other
person, within twenty days from the date hereof. The proportion of the land which
each of us shall have is to be concluded among ourselves hereafter. In witness of all
of which we have hereunto set our hands and seals, in Ontario county, State of New-
York, this ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hun-
dred and ninety-one.
William Hopkins,
Elias Reeves,
Joel Foster,
Abraham Foster,
Luther Sanford.
A contract was made with Oliver Phelps in September, 1791, for
5,500 acres for 1,100 pounds New York currency; 100 pounds were paid
down. John Swift was unable to meet his payments, the title was in
doubt, and the purchase was made directly of Phelps & Gorham ;
Durfee's arrival, previously noted, enabled Swift to pay for his tract,
and in 1792 the Long- Island company took their deed from him. This
is the second recorded deed of East Palmyra land, the first being that
for the 600 acres south of the creek, sold and deeded to Gideon Durfee,
May 19, 1791, by John Swift.
The colony, consisting of ten families, started from Long Island on
Monday morning, April 4, 1792, on a sail boat, built by Joel Foster,
and arrived at the mouth of Mill brook on May 2, following. Mrs.
Joel Foster brought in her arms her eldest son, Harvey, then eleven
months old. Among the pioneers were the Clarks, Posts, Howells,
Jaggers, Culvers, Jessups; Calvin, Charles, and Luther, sons of Col.
John Bradish ; Joseph Colt, Asa Lilly, Enoch Sanders, and Silas Stod-
dard. Their boat that brought them here was finally used on Seneca
Lake as a pleasure craft.
The lands comprising the present town of Palmyra were surveyed
into lots, save the Long Island farm of 5,500 acres, which was divided,
by those of the company present, into lots, and drawn by them as
shares. Each man of the Long Island colony owned from the creek to
the Marion town line. The lands along the creek were first settled.
Among the original owners were Zebulon Williams, 100 acres; Abraham
Gallop; John Russell, 200 acres; Isaac Arnold; Isaac Thayer, 200 acres
(including the present depot site); Job, Edward, and Pardon Durfee;
Weaver Osband ; William Wilcox; Robert Hinds; Howell Post, father
of S. G. ; Joel and David H. Foster; James and Elias Reeves, 400 acres;
174 LANDMARKS OF
Jedediah Hopkins and Reuben Stark, 175 acres each; John Hopkins,
360 acres; and Seth Howell, Oliver Clark, Moses Culver, and Luther
Sanford, whose combined purchases aggregated 450 acres.
Luther Sanford married Jennie Robinson; he was a carpenter and
built the first frame barn in town. Joel Foster was a shoemaker, Paul
Reeves a millwright, Oliver Clark a tailor as late as 1824, Elias Reeves
a weaver, Joseph Burnett a hatter, and Seth Howell a roughhewer.
Isaac, Jonah, and Gilbert Howell placed a saw and grist mill in opera-
tion on the creek, a half-mile east of Palmyra village, in September,
L793. The first wedding in the settlement was that of Charles Reeves
and Eunice Howell, the ceremony being performed by Rev. IraCondit,
October 27, L793. Stephen Cook, a member of the colony, landed at
East Palmyra with $1,000 in coin. Mr. and Mrs. William Hopkins
reached the house of John Hopkins on July 9, L793; both died on the
17th, eight days later.
Joel and Abraham Foster erected the first saw mill, and Jedediah
Foster built in 1803 the first two-story house in town. The latter's
great-granddaughter became the wife of J. W. Hardy. The first build-
ing in the vicinity of the Central Railroad depot at Palmyra village was
erected by Zebulon Williams, the pioneer merchant, who occupied it as
a store and dwelling; it stood near the east water-house. About L805
Williams returned to Seneca county, whence he had come, and the
building was converted into a cooper shop by William Cook. Subse-
quently it became Gregg & Chase's furnace, which burned, and the site
was afterward occupied by Mrs. Sarah GrinneH's orchard and garden.
Capt. James Galloway was a surveyor of the Phelps and Gorham pur-
chase. He came from Newton, where he had witnessed the Indians
transfer their lands by treaty, and April 27, 1791, purchased of Swift a
farm, on which he settled, and which in time passed to his son James,
jr., whose brick house stands near the site of the family's original log
cabin. Captain Galloway constructed the first mill dam across the
Ganargwa, where now stands the old Harrison mill; he was obliged to
cut a passageway for boats when the creek was declared a navigable
stream. On the south bank he built a primitive saw mill, of which
Paul Reeves was the millwright; it was burned two years later and at
once rebuilt.
Hiram Foster, a brother of i\braham, was born here November 8,
L794, and at his death was the oldest native of the town. He married
Nancy, daughter of James Reeves in 1819. He was long a Sabbath
WAYNE COUNTY. 175
school superintendent, a school teacher, and prominent in the Presby-
terian Church.
John Swift, the Durfees, and others, engaged in clearing Ganargwa
Creek of old logs. Regarding the creek as a permanent highway, they
cut through the wood-riffs to Lyons. Spring freshets swept off the logs
and left the channel free. Swift claimed the stream through Palmyra
as individual property. At his death Joel McCollum, holding a judg-
ment against his estate, levied on the creek, intending to exact tribute
from the millers or a removal of their dams. The mills had been
erected by special legislative grants and deeds from John Swift, so
McC611um failed in his purpose. Swift's landing, near the Palmyra
Central depot, was the head of navigation for seventeen years. Paul
Reeves built a mill in Arcadia, and constructed a plank-lock, but the
freshet washed it away. He circulated a petition in 1807, making the
center of township twelve, first and second ranges, the head of naviga-
tion.
Col. Ambrose Salisbury, born in Conway, Mass., in 1792, removed to
Phelps, N. Y., with his father's family in 1801, and in the war of 1812
went to the Niagara frontier as orderly sergeant in Capt. Selma Stan-
ley's rifle company of the 31st Regiment. Returning home in June,
1813, he again went out, as substitute for his uncle, John Salisbury, in
Capt. Aaron Reamer's company of dragoons from Geneva. Crossing
to Canada in pursuit of the enemy, he particpated in several skirmishes,
and coming to this town he purchased, with Caleb Beals, lots 7, 20, and
21, at East Palmyra; these contained 540 acres, and were bought of
Elisha Satterlee in the fall of 1814 for $1,402. Colonel Salisbury held
several town offices, being a justice of the peace thirty years, and of-
ficiating at mere than forty weddings. He was elected to the State
Legislature in 1832, 1833, and 1839, and was appointed canal appraiser
May 11, 1843. The same year he contracted to build the M. E. Church
at East Palmyra. In 1822 he became an ensign in the 39th Regiment
N. Y. State militia, and rising to the grade of colonel resigned in 1834.
He died July 21, 1864; his wife, Anna (Vandermark), died October 6,
1848. Of their two children only the daughter attained maturity.
Maltby Clark was a son of Oliver and a grandson of Samuel Clark,
and was born at East Palmyra, March 31, 1798. Samuel's children
were: Benjamin, Samuel, jr., Oliver, Mrs. Luther Sanford, Mrs. Sam-
uel Soverhill, and Mrs. Gabriel Rogers. Oliver's children were: Maltby,
Dennis, Jerry, Nelson, Mrs. J. M. Grow, Mrs. Henry O. Miles, Hiram,
176 LANDMARKS OF
and Matilda. He died in L843. Maltby Clark married Maria M. Ma-
son, who died, and he married Jerusha Jagger. He was early eleeted
school inspector, assessor, and justice of the peace, and from 1837 was
county coroner six years. In 1847 he was elected county superintend-
ent of the po'or, holding the office two terms, and being re-elected in
IS,'),'). He died June 4, 1875. He had seven children, of whom the
sons were Henry M., Lucius H., and Oliver M. Henry M. Clark was
member of assembly in 1873; he was born in East Palmyra, March 6,
1826.
Gen. Thomas Rogers, born in Richmond, R. L, February 13, 1790,
came to Palmyra with his parents when a child, and died here October
,">, L853; his wife, Harriet Holmes, died May 10, 1872. Their only child
was the late Carlton Holmes Rogers.
Col. George Beckwith, a native of Connecticut, born October 1(3, 1790,
came to Palmyra while a young man and entered into a mercantile part-
nership with a brother under the name of N. H. & G. Beckwith; he
afterward conducted business alone and amassed a fortune. In the days
of general trainings he organised an " independent " company, and rose
to a colonel's commission. For many years he was an elder in the Pres-
byterian Church; he died in 1867.
Daniel Chapman served about three years and was wounded in the
war of 1812. He settled two miles north of East Palmyra, and died
there November 9, 18] ■».
Col. Frederick Morley, who died in Detroit, Mich., in February, 1889,
was born, in England in 1 8 "2 1 , and was a son of Rev. Luke Morley, for
several years pastor of the Baptist Church in Clyde. He established the
Palmyra Courier in 1838, and was also appointed collector of tolls on
the canal. He was afterward connected successively with the Detroit
Enquirer, the Advertiser, and the Post and Tribune. During the war
he was an adjutant-general and in 1881-82 was immigration commis-
sioner of Michigan.
Col. Joseph W. Corning, a native of Nova Scotia, settled on a farm
in Ontario in L838, and in 1841 was appointed a postmaster there. Re-
moving to Palmyra in 1 S47 he was admitted to the bar in L855, and in
lSi;o be became a member of the Legislature. In 1864 he raised a com-
pany for the war, and rose to the position of lieutenant-colonel of the
33d X. V. Vols, and afterwards became colonel of the 194th Regiment.
He was mustered out February :!, I860, and returning to Palmyra en-
gaged in the grocery business. In I SSI he was appointed to a position
WAYNE COUNTY. 177
in the New York custom house and in 1889 became postmaster at Pal-
myra; he died June 29, 1890, and was succeeded in the latter office by
his widow.
Morris Puxley drove the first 'bus to the first train in Palmyra village,
and continued in that occupation until his death in October, 1889, aged
seventy years.
Hon. George W. Cuyler was a prominent Democrat, and was appointed
by Governor Hoffman one of the committee to consider State taxation.
He was candidate for State senator in 1873, and was several times del-
egate to State and National conventions. He died here July 20, 1876.
The first burial place in the town was on the original Durfee home-
stead, subsequently the Lakey farm, and the first interment therein was
a child of Gideon Durfee; soon afterward James Rogers, the first adult,
was laid to rest there. In that plat lie the remains of many of the first
settlers. The present beautiful cemetery in Palmyra village was estab-
lished in 1844; in 1846 a public vault was erected. The Rogers Me-
morial Chapel was built in 1886; it is of stone, and owes its erection to
a fund of $4,000 left for the purpose by* Carlton H. Rogers. George
W. Wheeler has been superintendent since 1858. The cemetery is owned
by the village and is governed by a committee appointed by the trustees
of the corporation.
In 1793 two log school houses were erected, one on the site given by
John Swift in Palmyra village, the other, known as the Hopkins school
house, in East Palmyra. In a part of D. H. Foster's house Abigail Fos-
ter, his daughter, early taught a school of fifteen pupils; she afterward
married Benjamin Davis and died in Sodus, February 12, 1872. Two
frame school buildings were erected in Palmyra village designated re-
spectively "Federal" and "Democratic." " So strong was political
feeling that the partisans of each party sent only to their own school."
Early teachers in them were Ira Selby and a Mr. Blackman. A two-
story brick school house having four departments was built on the site
of the Catholic church, and on it was placed the first bell brought to the
town; this is now in use on the engine house. Chapman Jackson,
Lemuel Parkhurst, James S. Douglass, and Alexander Plumley were
among its earlier teachers. The institution was incorporated as a high
school, of which James F. Cogswell, Alexander Forbes, C. Giles, and
others were principals. The district was divided into three in 1835, and
a stone school house built in each.
23
ITS LANDMARKS OF
The Palmyra Classical Union School had its inception in the consol-
idation of the above three school districts into "Union School, No. 1,
of Palmyra," in the winter of 1846-47. March 19, 1847, an act author-
ized a levy for the purchase of grounds and erection of a building.
April 11 the institution was incorporated. The first trustees were A. P.
Crandall, T. R. Strong, and Pliny 'Sexton ; R. G. Pardee was clerk. A
lot was secured from the heirs of Samuel Beckwith for $2,500 and the
erection of a school house commenced. A. P. Crandall was the finan-
cial trustee and Elihu Hinman the contractor. It was of brick, three
stories above the basement, cost $11,000, and was completed May 1,
1848. It contained eleven rooms. In 1889 this building was torn down,
and on the same lot the present handsome brick structure was built at
a cost of about $30,000. Joseph Blaby was the architect and George
C. Williams the contractor. It is three stories high, including base-
ment, and contains in all sixteen rooms. February 14, 1848, four de-
partments were organized, twelve teachers employed, and $800 raised
for the purchase of a bell, library and apparatus; that year the total
attendance was 697. The first faculty consisted of Justus W. French,
A. M., principal ; William M. Crosby, A. M., Miss Sarah D. Hance,
Charles D. Foster, Miss Clarissa Northrup, Miss Harriet E. Walker,
Edward W. French, Miss Melinda C. Jones, Miss A. Maria West, E.
Lush, C. D. Foster, J. C. French, De AVitt Mclntyre.
In 1857 the Palmyra Classical Union School was incorporated, and on
the 8th of April, under this act, Stephen Hyde was elected president,
Joseph W. Corning, secretary, and Joseph C. Lovett, treasurer; the
board consisted of nine trustees. April 18th an academical department
was organized. The following have served as principals: Professor
Baldwin, 1857; C. M. Hutchins, 1857-62; John Dunlap, 1862-66; Wil-
liam H. Fitts, 1866-68; C. M. Hutchins, again, 1868-75; Henry F.
Curt, 1S75-82; E. B. Fancher, 1882-86; A. S. Downing, 1886 to Jan-
uary, 1887; H. G. Clark, 1887-90; George W. Pye, 1890 to August,
1894. The present incumbent is Professor S. D. Arms. The average
yearly cost of maintaining the school is about $7,300. The library,
which in 1848 numbered 600 volumes, now contains •2,350, and is valued
at $2,400; the chemical apparatus is worth $500. The school building
and site are valued at $40,000. In L893-94 the average enrollment was
575 scholars, and the officers of the board for that school year were:
H. R. Durfee, president; F. E. Converse, secretary; Henry P. Knowles,
treasurer; H. M. Wood, collector; G. S. Tinklepaugh, clerk.
WAYNE COUNTY. IT!)
The town has thirteen school districts and school houses, which were
taught during 1892-3 by twenty-four teachers and attended by 911
scholars. The school buildings and sites are valued at $47,000; as-
sessed valuation of districts, $3,008,000; public money received from
the State, $4,030.59: raised by local tax, $9,091.35.
During the War of the Rebellion the town of Palmyra sent more than
440 of her brave and loyal citizens to fight the nation's battles. Several
were promoted to commissioned offices, and nearly 100 killed in action
or died of starvation in rebel prisons. Few remain of those who re-
turned to tell the thrilling story of that long, sanguinary conflict, and
on Memorial Day of each year the dead and living alike are honored by
a grateful people.
In 1810 the town of Palmyra (including Macedon and perhaps other
territory) had, according to Spafforcl, 2,187 inhabitants or 355 families,
with 290 senatorial electors; that year 33,719 yards of cloth were manu-
factured. In 1858 there were 17,100 acres improved land; value of real
estate, $1,190,524; personal property, $195,000; 2,062 male and 2,053
female inhabitants; 713 dwellings; 846 families; 527 freeholders; 14
school districts; 1,319 school children; 859 horses; 1,303 oxeci and
calves; 1,193 cows; 7,954 sheep; 1,900 swine; the productions were
31,073 bushels winter and 112,235 spring wheat, 3,713 tons hay, 16,701
bushels potatoes, 33,113 bushels apples, 105,711 pounds butter, 14,816
pounds cheese, and 268 yards domestic cloths.
In 1890 the population was 4,188, or 247 less than in 1880. In 1893
the assessed valuation of land was $937,179 (equalized $929,282); vil-
lage and mill property, $1,015,817 (equalized $1,092,553); railroads and
telegraphs, $617,533 (equalized $583,049); personal property, $525,500.
Sehedule of taxes 1893: Contingent fund, $3,088.45;. town poor fund,
$700; special town tax, $150; reimburse county poor fund, $1,404.32;
school tax, $2,864.06; county tax, $6,852.59; State tax, $3,776.15; State
insane tax, $974.17; dog tax, $314. Total tax, $20,138.65; rate per
cent., .00650466. August 8, 1890, the town was divided into four elec-
tion districts.
Palmyra Village. — Situated on the west border of Palmyra near the
southwest corner of the town, on the Erie Canal, and just south of the
New York Central and West Shore railroads, this village is one of the
finest and one of the most historic in Wayne county. It was the birth-
place of Mormonism and Morganism, and closely connected with the in-
stitution of spiritualism, all of which are detailed in other pages of this
180 LANDMARKS OF
volume. It is also the site of the first permanent settlement — that of
John Swift in L790 — in the district of Tolland. Swift built a wool card-
ing machine, an ashery in 1791, laid out Main street in 1792, and estab-
lished a boat landing at the month of Red Creek in L793; he also re-
served for a gospel and school lot the site of the present old cemetery,
and surveyed out village lots of four acres each on the south side of
Main street the same year. In the rear of these, ten-acre lots were laid
out, and the first village property, including the present residence lot of
C. D. Johnson, was sold to James Galloway. The gospel and school lot
was reserved for a burial place in L796. Stephen Phelps purchased a
part of Galloway's lot and built, in 1796, on the site of the Powers
Hotel, the second tavern in the village. June L3, L796, Swift sold
nearly all his landed property to Sarah Brockway for $2,000; this was
reconveyed to him June 8, L799, for $2,500. Capt; John Hurlburt, in
I 795, bought lots of Swift on the north side of Main street in the upper
part of the village, and about the same time John Russell purchased the
first lot east of Chapel street, the site of the Presbyterian Church.
Theodatus Sawyer, a brother-in-law of Swift, bought one of three lots
between Fayette and Cuyler streets, which he sold to Constant South-
worth, who in L806 sold to William Howe Cuyler, from whom Cuyler
street was named. The other purchasers of these three lots were Ste-
phen Phelps and Joseph Colt. Swift's landing at first promised to lie-
come the village, for there Zebulon Williams, as previously stated, early
established the first store, but the prevalence of fever and ague cheeked
further progress.
In 1812 the village consisted of Main, Canandaigua, and Church streets,
the Ensworth tavern, Abner Cole's office, the house of Rev. Eliphalet
Roweon Canandaigua street, the dwellings of James Benson and George
Beckwith (Washington Hall) on Church street, a church on the old
cemetery site, the drug store of Dr. Cain Robinson, a low building oc-
cupied by William Jackway and Piatt and Zebulon Williams, a distil-
lery, the store of N. H. & G. Beckwith, the tailor shop of A. PI. Reed,
the saddlery of Abraham Shattuek, the drugstore of Mr. Mclntyre, the
stores of Nathan Thayer, Samuel Wagstaff, and O'Rourke, the Durfee
mill and dwelling, the cooper shop and house of William Cook, known
as the " Long House," the " I Jemocratic " and " Federal " school houses,
the store of Selby & Phelps and the Phelps tavern, the dwellings of
Ezra Shepardson, William P. Wilson (the tanner), Levi Daggett (black-
smith), Benjamin Cole (brother of Aimer), Mr. Blackman (blacksmith),
WAYNE COUNTY. 181
John B. Robson, Levi Thayer, Peleg Holmes, John Swift, Deacon Jes-
sup (tanner), Stephen Skellinger, William T. Hussy, Samuel [ennings
(merchant), Mr. Johnson (tailor), Dr. Robinson, Joseph Colt, Silas
Hart, Dyer Ensworth, John Russell, and a few others, the house, of-
fice, and store of William Howe Cuyler, and the clothiery of Andrew
G. Howe, where the Episcopal Church now stands.
The first merchant inside the corporation was Joseph Colt; Hubbard
Hall was his partner for a time. About 1831 Colt died, and his son
Joseph S. carried on business until he removed. Colt owned two Dur-
ham boats, and it is said that Cooper Culver, William Clark, Silas
vStoddard, John Phelps, and Gilbert Howell took them, in 1S0-4, to
Schenectady, loaded with pork and flour, and returned with a load of
merchandise, occupying two months making the trip ; other trips fol-
lowed. Hall succeeded the Colts, and was followed by Seymour Sco-
ville. Patrick O'Rourke and Samuel Jennings were also early merchants ;
the hitter's building was burned in November, 1876. James and Orren
White built the first brick building, two stories high, in the village, on
the site of the Episcopal church ; they were succeeded by Israel J.
Richardson, afterward a lawyer, and Samuel Allen, later stage propri-
etor between Palmyra and Canandaigua. T. C. Strong occupied a
building where the Baptist church now stands, which was opened as a
supply store by Lasher & Candee, canal contractors, who brought here
the first stock of gilt-framed mirrors. Nathan Thayer was succeeded
by Joel and Levi, brothers, who also had an ashery where the gas house
now is. The latter were twins, and built several canal boats, one of
which was named Twin Brothers. The first canal collector was Philip
Grandin.
Subsequent merchants were: Davenport, Barnes & Co., succeeded by
S. L. Thompson & Co. ; George N. Williams; Barach, a brother of
George Beckwith ; Stephen Phelps and Ira Selby ; and Leonard Wescott,
Daniel G. Pinch, Giles S. Ely, Zuell & White, J. C. Lovett, William H.
Farnham, M. Story, A. C. Sanford, Thomas Birdsell, Pliny Sexton (the
first hardware dealer and jewelry merchant), Martin Butterfield, George
W. Cuyler, Bowman & Seymour, H. M. Johnson & Co., Bowman &
Walker, Brigham, Royce & Co., Alexander Mclnyre, Dr. L. Cowen,
Cassius C. Robinson, Hoyt & May, William H. Peckham, Elihu
Durfee, Thomas Douglass, James F. Barker, David Hotchkiss, and
Franklin Williams. The first physician was Dr. Reuben Town.
182 LANDMARKS OF
Joseph Smith, sr. , came here in 1816 from Royalton, Vt. ; his family
consisted of Alvin, Sophronia, Joseph, jr., Samuel H., William, Catha-
rine, Carlos, and Lucy. He opened a "cake and beer shop," and used
a hand-cart in peddling' his wares through the streets. In 1818 the
family moved to a wild farm, two miles south of the village, and lived
in a log house about twelve years. In 1831 they removed. "They
were a shiftless set, and Joseph, jr., was the worst of the lot." The
Mormon " religion " was instituted, as detailed in a previous chapter,
by Joseph Swith, jr., and the organization known as "Latter-Day
Saints" came into existence in June, 1830. Even to this day members
of that sect come to Palmyra and drive to "Mormon" hill, upon which
they gaze with reverential awe.
The first tanner was William P. Wilson about 1800; in 1832 he sub-
stituted his old vat system by a brick building, which burned in 1805,
and the business was discontinued. About 1820 Wells Anderson started
a tannery in the rear of the Powers Hotel, which in 1850 was converted
into a carriage shop by the father of A. R. Sherman. Henry Jessup
was in partnership with Wilson, whose interest he finally purchased,
and about 1816 took George Palmer as partner. Jessup died in 1854.
James Blackman was the first blacksmith; others were Asa Lilley and
Marshall Johnson. The first saddler was Salmon Hathaway, whose
shop occupied the site of the present town hall. Palatiah West was a
harnessmaker in 1824. The first cloth dressing and wool-carding mill
was built by Calvin Perrine, and Edward Durfee and Jonah Howell
established the first grist and saw mills. About 1830 the Palmyra
Manufacturing Company built a steam mill on the canal, at the foot of
William street, which was burned ten years later. Jessup started
another about 1846, which was discontinued in 1860. West of the vil-
lage is the "Yellow Mill" of the Downing Brothers, while inside the
corporation is the grist mill of A. P. Barnhart. The old George Harri-
son mill, now discontinued, is owned by his sons.
The first tavern in the village was built and opened about 1792 by
Dr. Azel Ensworth, brother-in-law to William Rogers; it stood on the
site of the Methodist church. The second public house was the Stephen
Phelps tavern, which occupied the location of the Powers Hotel. In
L820 Phelps removed to Illinois, and in 1S24 the structure was rebuilt
and enlarged to three stories. It became the Eagle Hotel, and among
the landlords were: Horace Warren (a son-in-law to Phelps), Alexander
R. Galloway, William Rogers, jr., Lovell Hurd, and Solomon St. Johns.
WAYNE COUNTY. 183
Abou,t 1835 it was removed and became a store, giving place to the
present semi-courtly structure, the erection of which was clue to a corn-
pan)'' consisting of Thomas Rogers, Henry Jessup, B. Butler, Robert
C. Jackson, and others. It cost $13,000, and in 1840 was purchased and
kept by William P. Nottingham as the Palmyra Hotel. Successive
landlords were: Cleveland, Gates, Joseph E. Cochran, and Delos Cum-
mings. A few years since the present proprietor, W. A. Powers,
assumed' charge and changed its name to the Powers Hotel. In early
days Asa Lilley kept what was called Lilley's Coffee House; the build-
ing was nnalhy removed and occupied by Francis Bartles as a dwelling.
vSalmon Hathaway built and kept the Franklin House where the village
hall now stands; Kingsley Miller was later its landlord. The Bunker
Hill House was opened about 1825 by William W. Burrell, who was
succeeded by W. P. Nottingham. The present Eagle Hotel was built
by Abner F. Lakey for a cabinet shop, and opened as a public house by
William Doran. The Farmers' House was opened and rebuilt by
Butler Newton. The Cummings House was formerly a dwelling.
Palmyra post-office was established as early as September, 1806; the
postmasters, with the dates of their appointments, have been as follows:
Dr. Azel Ensworth, September, 1806; Ira Selby, June 16, 1814; Lemuel Parkhurst,
December 31, 1817; Ezra Shepardson, October 23, 1818; William A. McLane, Novem-
ber 17, 1819; Joseph S. Colt, May 5, 1824; Marlin W. Wilcox, August 6, 1829; Pomeroy
Tucker, February 13, 1839 ; David D. Hoyt, March 18, 1841 ; John O. Vorse, October
24, 1844; William H. Cuyler, January 20, 1848; Thomas Ninde, May 3, 1849; William
L. Tucker, April 1, 1853; William H. Cuyler, April 20, 1857; William H. Southwick,
May 28, 1861 ; Charles J. Ferrin, August 3, 1865 ; John W. Corning, October 10, 1866 ;
Charles J. Ferrin, April 12, 1867; Edward S. Averill, 1871; Wells Tyler, 1873; Henry
A. Chase, 1877; Frank C. Brown, 1885; Joseph W. Corning, April 15, 1889. Mr.
Corning died June 29, 1890, and his widow, Louisa N. Corning, was appointed and
held the position until September, 1894, when Daniel B. Harman, the present in-
cumbent, took charge.
Palmyra village was incorporated March 29, 1827, and the first election
of officers was authorized to be held May 1 ; there was no election, how-
ever, and the charter was amended, designating February 4, 1828, and
the house of Lovell Hurd as the time and place for the first meeting.
The presiding justices were : Alexander R. Tiffany and Frederick Smith,
and the first officers chosen were: Trustees, Joseph Colt, president,
Joel Thayer, Thomas Rogers, Nathaniel H. Beckwith, James White;
clerk, Thomas P. Baldwin; treasurer, William Parke ; assessors, George
N. Williams, Alvah Hendee, George Beckwith; fire wardens, Stephen
184 LANDMARKS OF
Ackley, Pliny Sexton, Benjamin Throop. February L9, it was voted to
purchase a fire engine and ladders, to remove obstructions from Gan-
argwa (Mud) Creek, to purchase or lease a site for a pound, and to
procure a water supply for use in ease of fire. The first street (Division )
was laid out February 22, and a fire company was organized May 2:!,
with twenty members: Thomas P. Baldwin, Giles S. Ely, Lovewell
Hurd, Martin Butterfield, Egbert B. Grandin, Hiram K. Jerome,
Joseph D. Hay ward, Philip Grandin, Dorastus Cole, Pelatiah West,
John W. M. Zuell, James F. Barker, George W. Gazely, Nathaniel
Crandall, Adolphus T. Newdand, Harry Cooley, Truman Heminway,
Jehiel Todd, Sutton Birdsall, and Homer B. Williams. The last sur-
vivor was Hiram K. Jerome. That year Franklin, Holmes, and Clinton
streets were laid out.
In 1829 Division and Fayette streets were extended, Washington,
Cuyler, Jackson, and Carroll streets were laid out, and May 4, the
charter was amended. In 1832 it was voted to build an engine house,
and August 22, 1835, a tax of $125 was authorized for the purchase of
a horse and harness for the village. In 1830 $500 was voted for a new
engine, and April 10, 1836, a legislative act increased the number of
firemen to thirty-four, which act was supplemented by another, April
•i4, 1837, adding twenty more. In 1839 an engine and hose house were
authorized, and in 1842 a night watch was established. May 9, 1843-,
$500 were voted to buy a burial place and fence it, and in 1S44 the
present cemetery was opened. In 1846 anew fire engine was purchased
for $1,000. Fires burned Anderson's barn, etc., November 2'.); and
February 7, 1S4T, the Methodist chapel and Jenner's chair factory were
destroyed. March 13, 1 S52, the village was divided into three fire
districts, and a fire alarm attached to the Presbyterian church ; May 21,
Red Rover Engine Co. No. 1 was organized. May 25, 1853, $l,r>o<)
were voted to improve Railroad avenue, which was laid out August 1.
May i, L855, the fire department was reorganized; the old companies
were disbanded, and Continental Fire Co. No. 1 was formed with thirty-
six members. September 18, a tax of $2,800 was voted to purchase
lots and erect engine houses. In August, 1857, the Franklin House
was purchased, and November 2, the old engine houses were ordered
sold at auction. In 1S58, Joseph W. Corning was appointed the first
police justice. January 1 :!, I860, the fire department was again re-
organized, with G. C. Williams, foreman of Eagle Fire Co. No. 1, and
C. |. Ferrin,' f orman of No. 2. May 11, L869, a Silsby steamer and 950
WAV NIC COUNTY.
IN.',
feet of hose were purchased for $6,000. October 25, L802, the steel
flag- pole was dedicated.
July 5, L876, the Jarvis Block was burned and at once rebuilt of brick.
The fire losses in 1876 aggregated about $60,000.
In 1838 the following advertisements appeared in the local papers :
Arnold E. Rice, Bunker Hill House; Williams & Filmore, livery and
exchange; Higby & Coleman, D. S. Aldrich, and C. W. White, dry
goods, etc. ; J. K. Cummings, J. & L. Thayer, and Beech er & Glossen-
den, forwarding; Ely & Delamater, Butler & Williams, Seaman &
Eastern View in Main St., Palmyra. — From on old print, 1840.
Thompson, tailoring and clothing; James Jenner, cabinet warehouse;
Ely & Beckwith, looking-glasses and frames; E. Williams, Richmond
& Brown, plow factories and furnaces; S. Jackson, Palmyra rifle fac-
tory; E. S. Townsend, Elihu Durfee, formed a partnership for manu-
facturing rope ; W. B. Tilden, Linus North, copper, tinware, etc.; Wil-
liams's mills, on the Outlet, ground plaster and cash paid for wheat;
Jessup, Smith & Co. and Cyrus Leonard, shoes and leather; C. Terry,
groceries; A. P. Crandall, Sherman & Crandall, carriages; W. W.
Gordon and Z. Williams, dissolution notice ; Lyman W. Post, Higby &
Coleman, general stores; Sexton & Butterfield, cash paid for flax seed;
D. Hotchkiss, jeweler; Hoyt & May, E. A. Jackway, drugs; S. & T.
T. Birdsall, hatter; H. Linnell, chair manufacturer; Warren & Rob-
24
186
LANDMARKS OF
bins, marble factory; C. B. Bingham, H. Armington, blacksmiths;
L. G. Buckley, saddler; H. K. Jerome, Pomeroy Tucker, lawyers;
Wayne County Bank, J. S. Fenton, cashier; Wells Anderson, shoes;
Miss H. L. Putnam, select school; High School, H. K. Jerome, sec-
retary; A. Evans, D. D. Hoyt, physicians.
The presidents of the village have been as follows:
Joseph Colt, 1828,
Frederick Smith, 1820, (resigned, and
James White, elected),
James White, L830,
M. W. Wilcox, 1831,
Draper Allen, 1832,
Truman Heminway, 1833,
Joseph Colt, 1834,
R. C. Jackson, 1835-36,
Martin W. Wilcox, 1837.
Frederick Smith, 1838-39,
Pomeroy Tucker, 1840.
Truman Heminway, 1841,
Isaac E. Beecher, 1842,
Draper Allen, 1843,
Augustus Elmendorf, 1844-45,
David Hotchkiss, 1840,
O. H. Palmer, 1847,
David Hotchkiss, 1848,
A. C. Sanford, 1849,
Augustus Elmendorf, 1850,
A. G. Myrick, 1851-52,
George G. Jessup, 1853,
Thomas Ninde, 1854,
D. Glossender, 1855,
J. W. Corning, 1856,
A. G. Myrick, 1857-59,
W. H. Southwick, 1860,
A. G. Myrick, 1861-63,
P. P. Huyck, 1864-66,
George W. Cuyler, 1867,
A. P. Crandall, 1868,
G. W. Cuyler, 1869,
F. C. Brown, 1870,
William M. Smith, 1871-72,
Samuel W. Sawyer, 1873-74,
Henry H. Haile, 1875,
William S. Phelps, 1876,
Mark C. Finley, 1877,
Charles D. Johnson, 1878,
Pliny T. Sexton, 1879-83,
Edwin B. Anderson, 1884,
Oliver Durfee, 1885-86,
Aaron P. Seeley, 1887,
Charles H. Brigham, 1888,
Albert S. Rogers, 1889,
Lewis M. Chase, 1890,
William W. Williamson, 1891,
Henry P. Knowles, 1892,
S. Nelson Sawyer, 1893-94.
The village officers for 1894-5 are: S. Nelson Sawyer, president;
Eugene Nichols, George L. Clark, Larue A. Olvitt, R. A. Vanderboget,
trustees; Henry D. Sanders, clerk; Alexander P. Milne, treasurer;
Charles H. Chapman, Peter H. Ford, George H. Crandall, assessors;
M. C. Finley, police justice; J. Morrison Ford, street superintendent;
Eugene Conant, chief of police; George C. Williams, chief, and W. A.
Fowers, assistant chief of fire department.
The Palmyra village hall, a brick structure, was erected in 1867 and
completed in January, L868, the contractor being Elon St. John, and the
building committee A. P. Crandall and Carlton H. Rogers. It cost
about $20,000, and contains the post-office, village offices, fire appara-
tus, lockup, and a large auditorium.
WAYNE COUNTY. 187
In 1853 permission was given Messrs. Jones and Osborne to erect gas
works and lay pipes in the street. They failed to carry out the fran-
chise, and October 29, 1856, the Palmyra Gas Light Company was or-
ganized, comprising George W. Tyler, president; William F. Aldrich,
secretary; Franklin Williams, treasurer; and William H. Bowman,
James E. Walker, A. C. Sanford, A. P. Crandall, William B. Crandall,
Stillman Jackson, and Joseph C. Lovett, of whom the only survivor is
A. C. Sanford. A plant was erected on the present site, north of the
canal, and the first gas distributed in the fall of 1857. The works have
twice been burned and rebuilt. The capital has been increased from
$12,000 to $20,000. A. P. Crandall was, until his death in 1893, prin-
cipal officer and manager. The present one is Charles McLouth, presi-
dent, secretary, and treasurer.
In March, 1882, a franchise was granted W. W. Williamson, Fred-
erick W. Griffith, W. A. Powers, and Frank H. Brown, to establish an
electric light system in the village. They were unsuccessful.
The Palmyra Electric Light and Power Company was incorporated in
March, 1891, by B. H. Davis, president; W. J. Morrison, vice-presi-
dent; G. T. Tinklepaugh, secretary; L. P. Nichols, treasurer; and C.
C. M. Hunt. The capital is $10,000. The company obtains the elec-
tric current from the plant at Littleville, Ontario county, about eight
miles south from Palmyra. The system was placed in operation in the
fall of 1894.
The Wayne County Bank of Palmyra was chartered April 30, 1829,
with a capital of $100,000. The president was A. Strong, who was suc-
ceeded by Thomas Rogers; the cashier was J. S. Fenton. The institu-
tion finally wound up its affairs and passed out of existence.
The Palmyra Savings Bank was incorporated April 12, 1842, but after
a brief career it went down.
December 25, 1865, Lyman Lyon and S. B. Gavitt began a private
banking business in an upper room of Williams's store. Mr. Lyon pur-
chased Gavitt's interest in June, 1867, continued alone until his death
in August, 1887, when the affairs of the bank were closed up. Mr. Lyon
was county clerk two terms.
The Firsi National Bank of Palmyra is the successor and outgrowth
of the earlier banking business, conducted for man3^ years in its present
offices by the late Pliny Sexton and the late George W. Cuyler. In 1844
Pliny Sexton established, under the then new free banking law, the
" Palmyra Bank." Sometime afterward George W. Cuyler also estab-
188 LANDMARKS OF
lished under the same law the " Cuyler's Bank." The business of both
parties was later merged, and as partners they continued the business
of banking, under the organization of the ''Cuyler's Bank," until the
incorporation in January, L864, by the same parties and their associates,
of the First National Bank of Palmyra, soon after which time their
former State bank was wound up. The incorporators of the First Na-
tional Bank were George W. Cuyler, Pliny Sexton, Pliny T. Sexton,
William H. Cuyler, Charles McLouth, and David S. Aldrich, and they
also constituted its first board of directors. Its first officers were:
George W. Cuyler, president; Pliny Sexton, vice-president; Pliny T.
Sexton, cashier. The officers remained unchanged until the death of
Mr. Cuyler, in July, L876. The vacancy thus occasioned was filled on
December 30 of that year, by the election of Pliny T. Sexton as presi-
dent of the bank. At the same time Robert M. Smith, who had been
its teller for several years, was made cashier of the bank, and Stephen
P. Seymour was chosen its second vice president. The three last named
officers still(1894) retain their respective positions. On March 26, L881,
Pliny Sexton, the first vice-president, died, and on the Pith of the fol-
lowing month Harriot II. Sexton succeeded him as a director of the
bank, and was also, on January is, L882, chosen his successor as vice-
president. The capital of the bank at its organization was $100,000,
with the privilege of increasing the same to $1,000,000, to which latter
amount, by three separate additions, it attained in September, L882.
The building in which the bank is located was erected in L830 by the
Wayne County Bank, an institution which soon afterward passed out of
existence. It was remodeled in 1S70, ami is now occupied by the of-
fices of the FirSt National Bank, and also includes the family residence
of Pliny T. Sexton, its president and principal owner. It is a hand-
some building and is situated on the corner of Main and William streets.
H. P. Knowles & Co. (William Scott) opened a private banking office
in L866. Mr. Scott was succeeded by P. R. Rogers and he by George
W. Knowles, a brother of IP P. The firm also conduct the express
business of the village, which is contemporary with the establishment
of their bank.
The Wayne Building, Loan, and Accumulating Fund Association,
the only concern of the kind in the count}-, was incorporated March 8,
L888, with a capital of $5,000,000, which in L891 was increased to $1.00,-
000,000. The first officers were George R. Brown, president; 1). A.
Aldrich, vice-president; A. C. Hopkins, secretary; S. P. Nichols,
'-/: O}.
WAYNE COUNTY. 189
treasurer; S. E. Harkness, L. M. Chase, W. W. Williamson, S. N.
Sawyer, F. E. Ryckman, trustees; all of whom constituted the Board
of Directors. The successive secretaries have been Frank H. Hale and
J. O. Shipman; the other executive officers have remained the same.
The present trustees are S. N. Sawyer, L. M. Chase, W. W. William-
son, W. A. Powers, and John C. Coates. Shares are $100 each, and
from $1,080. «J0 of assets January 1 , 1 889, the business has grown to $1 1 I ,
403.37 to June 30, 1894.
The Globe Manufacturing Company. — In 1864 J. M. Jones patented
the "Globe" job printing press, began its manufacture, and in lsi;;
formed the Jones Manufacturing Company, of which Henry Johnson
was president, George Bowman vice-president, and Mr. Jones superin-
tendent. In 1870 the firm was reorganized, Mr. Jones giving place to
W. I. Reid. In 1873 the name became the Globe Manufacturing Co.,
incorporated, with A. P. Crandall, president; Geo. Bowman, secretary;
W. I. Reid, superintendent. The capital was $152,000. The present
officers are Henry R. Durfee, president; B.H.Davis, treasurer; A. P.
Seeley, secretary. They manufacture job printing presses and paper
cutters, giving employment to a large force of skilled mechanics. This
is one of the largest printing press factories in the United States, and
the goods are sold throughout this country, Mexico, South America,
and Europe.
J. M. Jones & Co., in 1871, established another printing press and
paper cutter factory opposite the above works, in which from fifteen to
twenty-five hands are employed. They manufacture goods almost ex-
clusively from Mr. Jones's inventions.
The Garlock Packing Company had its inception about 1880, when
O. T. Garlock, a practical engineer, invented and afterwards patented
a packing for steam engines. He began its manufacturing about 1884,
and for a few months was in partnership with T. V. Garlock. In the
fall of 1885 the firm became Garlock & Crandall and in December of
that year Eugene Nichols became a partner under the name of Garlock,
Crandall & Co. In September, 1887, F. W. Griffith purchased Crandall's
interest and the present firm was organized. In 1888 a branch factory
was started in Rome, Ga. The company has branch offices in the larger
cities, and employ from fifteen to twenty men here. The extensive
business has been built up from a capital of less than $500.
The Crandall Packing Company was started as Crandall & Chase in
1887, and in June, 1891, the present firm was incorporated, the officers
190 LANDMARKS OF
being George H. Crandall, president; W. J. Hennessey, vice-president;
C. H. North, secretary; B. H. Davis, treasurer. The present officers
are: A. S. Downing, president; B. H. Davis, vice-president; C. H.
North, secretary; W. J. Hennessey, treasurer. The capital is $15,000,
and ten or fifteen men are employed. Packing for steam engines is
manufactured.
Palmyra village in 1828 had eighteen dry goods stores and three tan-
neries, and the usual complement of shops, mills, etc. It now contains
three dry goods stores, ten groceries, three hardware stores, three
printing offices and weekly newspapers, three clothing stores, three
millinery shops, three furniture and imdertaking establishments, four
drug stores, two jewelry and two shoe stores, two banks, a bakerv, five
variety stores, five hotels, three liveries, seven lawyers, five physicians,
three dentists, six churches, a classical union school, two printing press
and two packing manufactories, a second-hand store, two cigar factories,
a laundry, two agricultural implement dealers, two carriage shops, a
harness shop, one warehouse, two coal dealers, a lumber yard, two
produce dealers, three malt houses, two grist mills, several small shops,
and a population of about 2,100. While the canal was depended upon
as a means of transportation, the village grew and prospered, but the
construction of the New York Central Railroad, with a station at some
distance from the business center, had a blighting effect. The worst
blow to its activity, however, was the opening of the Lake Ontario
Shore (now the R. W. & O.) Railroad, which shut off a large territory
that had long been a field of tributary trade.
East Palmyra. — This is a post village on the New York Central Rail-
road, near the east border of the town. It was settled by Humphrey
Sherman in 1794, in which year he buit an ashery and a blacksmith
shop, the former near the subsequent shop (erected in 1837) of his
grandson, D. A. Sherman. In 1795 he started a distillery, which in
1812 passed to his sons Alexander and Stephen; Stephen Sherman died
in 1823, and in 1831 it came into the hands of Charles Curtis, and in
1842 to D. A. Sherman, with whom it went down. Humphrey Sher-
man erected on the site of the old log cabin a large brick building in
L801, which he opened and kept many years as a tavern; Stephen and
Gideon Sherman were his successors until the death of the latter in
1825, when the structure was converted into a dwelling, and finally
passed into the possession of Caleb Heals. In 1 SO*'; Sherman built a
brick storehouse, which was kept by a Mr. White; it eventually became
WAYNE COUNTY. 1«ll
a dwelling and was occupied by John Beals. In 1811 the Shermans
erected a dam and grist mill, of which Erastus vStacey was proprietor
several years. In 1835 Moore & Stacey built a second grist mill.
Jacob Sherman was an early shoemaker, and J. Girard a groceryman;
the former lived in the old house near the railroad and was postmaster
for forty years. In 1830 a school house was built, in which Dexter
Clark was an early teacher; later the present stone school house was
erected. The village now contains two stores, a blacksmith and wagon
shop, an evaporator, a peppermint still, two churches, a district school,
and about 180 inhabitants. The postmaster is Andrew P. Gambell,
who succeeded William H. Cronise.
Churches. — Religious services in the present town of Palmyra were
first held in private houses among the members of the Long Island
colony in 1692. They were of the Presbyterian order, and in 1793 were
moved to the annex of David H. Foster's house, which had been used
as a school room, where, on December 5, a church was organized under
the Congregational form of government. The organizer was Rev. Ira
Condit, and the constituent members were : David H. Foster and wife
Mary, Stephen Reeves and wife Mary, Howell Fort, Mrs. Sarah Starks,
Nathaniel Terry and wife Anna, Moses Culver, Jonah Howell, sr.,
Benjamin Hopkins and wife Sarah. James Reeves was clerk; Stephen
Reeves and David H. Foster, elders; Elias Reeves, Stephen Post, and
Benjamin Hopkins, trustees. This was the first church organized in
the State west of the pre-emption line. Meetings were held in the
school house and in private dwellings until 1807. November 10, 1806,
fifty-one members subscribed $1,026 for the erection of a house of wor-
ship, and March 23, 1807, Gideon Durfee and Humphrey Sherman
deeded the site at East Palmyra to the trustees, who were: Arnold
Franklin, Samuel Soverhill, Paul Reeves, Benjamin Hopkins, James
Reeves, and Howell Post. Paul Reeves had charge of the work, and
the raising of the frame occupied a day and a half. A recent number
.of the Palmyra Dispatch contains a history of this church, and it is
stated therein that the frame was not raised until a few gallons of
whisky had been supplied to the men. In September, 1807, the edifice,
having been inclosed, was opened for services, but its dedication did not
occur until September 11, 1810, when Rev. Benjamin Bell was pastor.
Rev. Howell Powell, of Phelps, officiated. The building was inclosed
with basswood boards and contained doors on the east, north, and west.
It had galleries on three sides and the pulpit resembled a goblet. It
192 LANDMARKS OF
was taken down in IS 10, and the present edifice erected on the old site;
the new structure was dedicated January 12, 1843, by Rev. Ira Ingra-
ham, of Lyons. This was remodeled, and on January 12, 1870, was re-
consecrated by Rev. Horace Eaton, D.D. In 1807 this church adopted
the Presbyterian form of government and was attached to the Geneva
presbytery. In February, 1817, two churches were formed, this one
taking the name of the Presbyterian Church of East Palmyra. The
society has about 130 members, and the pastor is Rev. M. G. Henry.
The Western Presbyterian church of Palmyra was "set off" from the
parent society at East Palmyra on February 2(3, 1817, with fifty-six
members, the organizer being Rev. Francis Pomeroy. The first pastor
was Rev. Jesse Townsend, who was installed August 29, of that year,
and who died in Palmyra in August, 1838. Other pastors took charge,
and in November, 1828, Rev. G. R. H. Shumway wras ordained and
remained seven years; he was subsequently pastor in Newark for a
quarter of a century, and died in Pennsylvania in 1874. Services were
held in the Union church (the town hall, built in 1811, and destroyed
by fire) until 1832, when the present brick edifice was erected on the
northeast corner of Main and Church streets. It was dedicated in ] 834.
This society is the second daughter of the East Palmyra church, the
first or oldest being a union of all creeds at Lyons on October 23, 1809,
from which the Lyons Presbyterian church was organized in 1816.
Rev. Horace Eaton, D.D., began his pastorate in the Palmyra church
in 1849, and died here in October, 1883. The society has about 350
members, under the pastorship of Rev. Stephen G. Hopkins.
The First Baptist Church of Palmyra was organized May 29, 1800, at
the house of Lemuel Spear, with nineteen members. In 1808 a frame
meeting house, 40x50 feet, was built at Kent's Corners in Macedon, and
the society continued worship until 1835. November !), 1832, another
Baptist church was organized at the house of Rev. John D. Heart in
Palmyra, with forty-seven members; on December 13, it adopted articles
of faith and covenant, and January 16, 1833, the church was formally
recognized by council. Rev. Mr. Heart was pastor, William Parke and
Erastus R. Spear were the deacons, and Josiah Francis was the clerk.
This society existed but one year, for on December 14, 1833, it asked
to be received back into the church at Kent's Corners, which was done.
Rev. Mr. Richards, the pastor, thenceforward preached in the High
School building in Palmyra every alternate Sunday until February 1 1,
1835, when a mutual separation was agreed upon and twro distinct
WAYNE COUNTY. 1!):;
churches were formed — the old society to retain the property and change
its name to the First Baptist Church of Macedon, and the new one to
become the First Baptist Church and Society of Palmyra. This latter
organization consisted of seventy-eight members, who chose R. C.
Jackson, William Rogers, and Stephen Spear, trustees; R. C. Jackson,
William Parke, and E. R. Spears, deacons; and Denison Rogers, clerk.
Their first pastor was Rev. Henry V. Jones, who was installed April
26, 1835, at a salary of $250 per year. The old town hall, located on
the old burying ground, a little north of the Methodist parsonage, hav-
ing been vacated in 1834 by the Presbyterians, was occupied by the
Baptists until it was burned in April, 1839, when Horton's hall (after-
ward known as Williamson's hall) was secured and used as a place of
worship. September 19, 1838, "Deacons R. C. Jackson, Stephen
Spear, S. B. Jordan, and Samuel Palmer were appointed a committee
to look up a site for the location of a meeting house," and February 24,
1839, it was voted to "exchange the lot owned by Hendee Parshall for
the lot cornering on Main and Canandaigua streets, and owned by R.
Nichols, by paying him $400." This indicates that Deacon Parshall had
given the church a lot, which was exchanged for the present one.
Denison Rogers, Stephen Spear, S. T. Horton, S. B. Jordan, Alanson
Sherman, Hendee Sherman, Samuel Palmer, and D. J. Rosman were
constituted a building committee. The structure was built of stone
and dedicated January 28, 1841, by Rev. W. I. Crane, a former pastor.
April 18, Rev. A. H. Burlingame assumed the pastorate. In June,
1868, a parsonage was purchased for $5,000. In 1870 the old stone church
was demolished and the present brick edifice erected on the site at a
cost of $20,000; it was dedicated March 29, 1871. October 23, 1881,
$13,000 were contributed to liquidate the indebtedness, leaving a small
sum for repairs. The society has received a total of over 1,000 mem-
bers since its organization. It was received into the Wayne Baptist
Association at its first annual meeting, at Rose, in 1835, and now com-
prises a membership of 335. The present pastor, Rev. J. R. Henderson,
assumed charge in September, 1885, and is also superintendent of the
Sunday school, which numbers about 275 scholars and officers. His
pastorate is the longest in the history of the church, to which he lias
added 112 members. The first parsonage, purchased in 1807, stood on
the corner of Jackson and Canandaigua streets ; the second was located
on the corner of Main and Liberty streets; the third and present one
stands on the north side of Jackson street.
25
194 LANDMARKS OF
The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Palmyra had its inception
in a class of this denomination that was founded as early as L811. It
was connected with the Ontario Circuit of the Genesee Conference, and
for several years worshiped in barns, dwellings, school houses, and
-roves. In 1822 a society was organized and incorporated, and a church
built near the cemetery on Vienna street, where services were held for
twenty-five years or more. In 1832 the membership numbered 155
persons, of whom the last resident survivor was William F. Jarvis.
In 1S4? the meeting house was moved to Cuyler street, south of the
Jarvis block, where it. was enlarged and remodeled and still stands, now
the property of the Dutch Reformed Church. At the time of the re-
moval Rev. B. McLouth was pastor and when a new edifice was pro-
jected, about 1864, Rev. Thomas Tousey occupied the pulpit. The,
latter secured a fund of $15,000, and July 23, 1866, .ground was broken
for the present structure, the corner stone of which was laid on August
21 of that year. It was dedicated during the pastorate of Rev. C. S.
Fox on October 31, 186?, on which day $6,000 was raised to remove all
indebtedness. It stands on the corner of Main and Church streets and
cost complete $30,000. It is of brick with stone trimmings, and will
seat 600 persons. The society has 260 members and is within the bounds
of the Geneva district of the Central New York Conference. Rev.
James H. Rogers is pastor and G. A. Tuttle superintendent of the Sun-
day school, which numbers 235 scholars and officers. The parsonage
just north of the church was formerly the old Washington hall.
Zion Episcopal Church of Palmyra was organized as a parish June 23,
1823, under the ministry of Rev. Rufus Murray, who had been elected
to the charge in 1822, prior to which occasional services had been held
here by Rev. Davenport Phelps. In 1824 Rev. John A. Clark became
rector and was succeeded in 1826 by Rev. Ezekiel G. Geer. The next
rector was Rev. John M. Guion in 1829, and was followed in 1830 by
Rev. Burton H. Hickox. Originally the services were held in the school
house situated near the site of St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church. Sep-
tember 28, L827, the corner stone of their first edifice was laid, and on
February 1, 1829, it was consecrated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Hobart. It
was of wood, 40 by 55 feet, with galleries on three sides, and would seat
200 persons. In 1852 a chancel was added with other improvements,
and it served its purpose until 1872, when the present handsome struc-
ture was commenced. It is of Medina sandstone, in the early English
style of ecclesiastical architecture, and graced by a tower and spire, the
WAYNE COUNTY. 195
latter being 125 feet high and built at the cost of the late George W.
Cuyler as a memorial to his deceased children. It was consecrated by
Rt. Rev. Bishop A. Cleveland Coxe July 22, 1873. The name of the
church, formerly in white, was embellished with mural decorations in
October, 1890. During the rectorship of Rev. Charles T. Coerr a pipe
organ was put in by the Young Ladies' Society and a reredos of quar-
tered oak and mural decorations in the chancel were added by Mrs.
Heminway in memory of her husband, Albert G. In 1831 a bell was
procured and through the liberality of two members a rectory was built
which was enlarged in 1854. In 1851 Rev. George D. Gillespie became
rector, and during his pastorate the Gillespie fund, intended to endow
the parish against adversity, was started ; he resigned in 1861 and be-
came bishop of Western Michigan. The first wardens were Joseph Colt
and Benjamin Billings. Their successors have been William Chapman,
Martin Butterfieid, George W. Cuyler, Benjamin Billings, jr., George
Capron, Isaac G. Bronson, William H. Farnham, and Christopher Til-
den. Truman Heminway was a vestryman thirty-two years; he died in
1864. The parish has about 120 communicants and a Sunday school of
150 scholars and officers with H. P. Knowles as superintendent. The
present rector, Rev. Leonard Woods Richardson, assumed charge in
August, 1886.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of East Palmyra was legally incor-
porated May 8, 1834, with Samuel Moore, A. Salisbury, Olien Evans,
Samuel E. Hudson, Caleb Beal, sr. , Samuel Sherman, and James Hub-
bell, trustees. The certificate of incorporation was signed by Samuel
Moore and Jacob Howell. Its organization was due to a series of meet-
ings held in August, 1823, at the house of Alexander Sherman, sr., by
Samuel Moore and Wilson Osborn, local preachers, and among the first
members of the class were Ambrose Salisbury and wife, Samuel Sher-
man and wife, Jacob Howell and wife, Stephen Sherman and wife, Is-
rael Perry and wife, Harry Rowley and wife, S. I. Buck and wife, Syl-
vanus Rowley and wife, William and Washington Beal, Marcus Swift,
Gideon Osborn, Wilson Osborn, William Fowler, I. Foster, andWillard
Chase, seven of whom became Methodist preachers. The organizers
were Revs. R. M. Everetts and William Snow, and meetings were held
for a time in the Hopkins school house in East Palmyra. In 1825 the
society bought the Hawthorne house and lot, just south of that building,
and fitted it up for a place of worship. July 21, 1866, it was burned,
and the present edifice was erected on the site and dedicated December
196 LANDMARKS OF
29, L867, by Rev. B. I. Ives. The society was successively connected
with the Lyons, Palmyra, Marion, and Port Gibson charges, and in 1852
it became a separate station. There are now about 130 members under
the pastoral care of Rev. C. E. Hermans.
St. Ann's Congregation (Roman Catholic Church) of Palmyra was or-
ganized by Rev. Edmund O'Connor, pastor of St. Mary's Church,
Canandaigua, about 1848. He occasionally celebrated mass in William-
son's hall, and about 1840 he purchased from William Aldrich the old
brick academy building and lot on Church street. This was used for
worship until 18G4, when, on July 26, the corner stone of the present
edifice was laid by Rev. Michael O'Brien, vicar-general of the diocese
of Buffalo, and then pastor of St. Patrick's Church, Rochester. The
old building was demolished. The new structure was blessed by Bishop
Timon in February, 1861, completed in 1870, and dedicated by Rt. Rev.
Bernard J. M. McQuaid on October 23, 1S70. The earlier pastors were
Revs. John Toohey, Michael Gilbride, James Donelly, and Thomas
Walsh. Rev. William Casey was appointed to the charge August 1,
1855, and served until May 20, 1893, when he was succeeded by the
present pastor, Rev. James E. Hartley. Rev. Father Casey was very
active in extending the work and founded several churches in neighbor-
ing towns, among which were those at Macedon, Ontario, Fairport, etc.
In September, 1850, he purchased of George G. Jessup for $2,000 two
lots, with house and barn, south of the old church. This parsonage has
been twice remodeled, the last time in 1873 at a cost of $3,000. In L868
he bought of Carlton H. Rogers three and one-fourth acres of land
southeast of the village cemetery, which he consecrated and laid out into
lots for a Catholic burial ground. The parish now has about 180 fami-
lies or 850 souls.
The Reformed Dutch Church of Palmyra was organized August 15,
1887, with thirty-four members. The first pastor was Rev. W. G Baas,
who began March 21, 1888, and served until January, 1890, when he
was succeeded by the present incumbent, Rev. Wietze Lubach. The
society now has about 160 members and a Sunday school, of which the
pastor is superintendent. The Presbyterian Church was used for wor-
ship until March 19, 1890, when the old frame M. E. edifice on Cuyler
street was purchased of Pliny T. Sexton for $1,700. It was repaired
and has since been occupied by this society. In May, 1894, a frame
parsonage on Jackson street was bought of Messrs. Allen Brothers.
WAYNE COUNTY. 197
CHAPTER XVI.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SODUS.*
The town of Sodus lies upon the northern border of Wayne county,
with Lake Ontario on the north, Wolcott on the east, Lyons and Arcadia
on the south, and Williamson on the west. It comprises the northeast
part of the old "District of Sodus,"2 which was organized on or about
the same day the Legislature created the county of Ontario — January
27, 1789. At the formation this " District " embraced what are now the
towns of Sodus, Lyons, Arcadia, Marion, Walworth, Ontario, and Will-
iamson. Williamson (then including Ontario, Walworth, and Marion)
was set off February 20, 1802, and Lyons (then including Arcadia) on
the 1st of March, 1811 ; a narrow strip was subsequently taken from the
west side of Williamson and annexed to Sodus, leaving this town with
its present area of about seventy- three square miles. It includes town-
ships thirteen and fourteen of the first range of the Pultney estate, and
that part of the " Gore " lying east of them.
The northern part of this town is mostly level, inclining towards the
lake. The "Ridge " forms the southern boundary of this level portion,
and south of that the surface is considerably broken by ridges extending
from north to south. The eastern part belongs to the great basin of
1 The editor hereby acknowledges his indebtedness to the masterful labors of Prof.
Lewis H. Clark, of Sodus Academy, who has long been an indefatigable collector of
local history. Professor Clark has rescued from oblivion quantities of interesting
matter pertaining to the town and county, and in the preparation of this and other
chapters of this volume his efforts have been of material aid.
3 Authorities differ as to the derivation of the name Sodus. On Governor Tryon's
map the large bay is designated " Asserotus " (an Indian word meaning "silvery
waters"), while Little Sodus Bay is called Sodus. In Clark's History of Onondaga
County the former is given as " Osenodus." Rev. H. L. Beauchamp, of Baldwins-
ville, N. Y., suggests the last three syllables of " Te-ga-hone-sa-o-ta " ("place of the
beautiful rivers ") as significant; another writer states that the Seneca Indians called
the great inlet " Seadose," but early in the eighteenth century it was known as the
" Bay of the Cayugas." The French, however, termed it Sodus Bay, and this desig-
nation was applied to the district or town upon the organization of the latter.
198 LANDMARKS OF
Sodus Bay, which washes the northeast corner. The largest streams
of the town are Salmon and Second Creeks, the former emptying into
the lake at Preston's Mills, and the latter into the bay at Nicholas Point.
There are many smaller streams which flow into the lake.
To Briscoe's cove on the shore of Sodus bay is attached a pathetic
tale In 1791 a party of surveyors was sent to this region to lay out cer-
tain lines, and just as they had finished, one of their number, a man
named Briscoe, sickened and died. His companions buried the remains
at the water's edge of an indentation of the coast, which became ever
afterward Briscoe's cove. About 1843 the Fourierite Association, desir-
ing the site for a saw mill, removed the bones to the high bluff near by.
Constant splashing of the waves finally wore the bank away, and the
exact location of the grave is now unknown. In August, 1877, a rude
flat stone was picked up and found to bear this inscription; "A. N.
Briscoe, May 22, 1791.
The soil in the northern part of the town is a clay and sandy loam and
in the southern a gravelly loam. The limestone formation, which has
been described herein, extends across the town line and has been ex-
tensively manufactured at various points. Iron ore is found on Salmon
Creek, and many years ago was worked in a small way. In the south-
west part the quarrying of red sandstone was formerly quite an impor-
tant industry. Sodus forms a part of the excellent apple and pear pro-
ducing district of this county.
In 1858 the town had 29,961 acres of improved land, and produced
25,396 bushels of winter and 207,539 bushels of spring wheat, 5,073 tons
of hay, 30,847 bushels potatoes, 70,448 bushels apples, 177,259 pounds
butter, 9,756 pounds cheese, and 779 yards domestic cloth; it also had
1,616 horses, 2,516 oxen and calves, 1,846 cows, 15,525 sheep, and 3, L49
swine.
Salt springs exist on First Creek and at other points in the northern
part of the town, and salt was once produced in considerable quantities.
At what is known as "Salt Hollow," or Salt Works, the manufacture
was begun about 1831 by Charles Field and his brother, but they con-
tinued it only a few years. The business was revived about 1886 by the
Sodus Manufacturing Company, of which Manley Sturges was presi-
dent. Wells were sunk, but the industry proved unprofitable.
The R. W. &0. Railroad (formerly the Lake Ontario Shore Railroad)
was finished through the town east and west in 1874, with stations at
Alton, Wailihgton, and Sodus. The Sodus Bay division of what is now
WAYNE COUNTY. 1<)9
the Northern Central Railway, running- from Sodus Point, southwardly
through Wallington and Sodus Center, to Stanley, Ontario county, was
projected in 1851 ; but several years passed before it was finished. It
was opened for traffic July 4, 1873. The construction of these railroads
had a marked influence on the development of the town; they created
new markets and brought into existence new industries.
The road leading from Sodus to Lyons was surveyed. by Samuel Sut-
ton and was recorded August 14, 1799. In 1803 Sodus (including Lyons
and Arcadia) had eight road districts. The old " Sodus road " from the
Point to Palmyra was laid out by Capt. Charles Williamson in 1794 and
cost him a total of $757 ; it was cut through by Messrs. Lovell and Phil-
lips. In 1794 Mr. Williamson also laid out the old Geneva road from
Sodus Point to Lyons, nearly on the line of the present Lyons road
through Wallington. A system of highways was inaugurated about 1800,
and the town now has 108 road districts.
The earliest record of a Sodus town meeting is dated April 2, 1799,
ten years after the formation of the district of Sodus. The town or dis-
trict meeting was held at the house of Evert Van Wickle, a mile or
more northwest of Lyons village, on the present Rogers farm, and the
following officers were chosen : Supervisor, Azariah Willis, of Alloway ;
town clerk, Joseph Taylor, Lyons; assessors, Norman Mary, Sodus
Point, Samuel Caldwell, Marion, Charles Cameron, Lyons; highway
commissioners, Moses Gill, Sodus Point, Evert Van Wickle, Lyons,
Timothy Smith, Marion; constables, David Sweezey, Marion, Joseph
Wood, Lyons; pound master, Samuel Nelson, Arcadia; collector, David
Sweezey, Marion; fence viewer, John Van Wickle, sr. , Lyons; poor-
masters, William White, Williamson, Reuben Adams, Marion. At a
special town meeting in 1799, held at the house of John Riggs, John
Perrine, Timothy Smith, and Samuel Caldwell were chosen school com-
missioners. Sheep marks were registered by Robert Miller, John Per-
rine, Thomas Cole, David Sherman, Evert Van Wickle, Joseph Taylor,
William Patten, Samuel Soverhill, Charles Cameron, William White,
and John Miller.
There was at this period on the tax roll the names of fifty persons,
some of whom were non-residents; the settlers were doubtless located
in Lyons village, on the road from there to Sodus Point, at the Point,
and on the Palmyra road, with very few exceptions. Following is the.
list:
200
LANDMARKS OF
Evert Van Wickle.
John Van Wickle.
Samuel Nelson.
John Perrine.
Charles Cameron.
Joseph Wood.
John Riggs.
Henry Beard.
Joseph Taylor.
George Carr.
Ralph Gregory.
Robert Miller.
Elijah Brown.
Ephraim Cleveland.
Henry Lovewell.
Amos Richards.
Daniel Towle.
Azanah Willis.
Moses Sill.
Jabez Sill.
Stephen Bushnell.
Norman Mary.
Leonard Stewart.
Leonard Aldrich.
Andrew Hillett.
Timothy Smith.
William Cogshall.
Reuben Adams.
Moses A. Blakely.
David Sherman.
Lydia Cady.
Robert Springer.
William Cook.
Wanton Morey.
William White.
David Sweezey.
Samuel Caldwell.
Daniel Russell.
Robert Martin.
Abraham Pratt,
Nathan Stewart.
Charles Williamson.
Richard Williams.
Sanford Williams.
David Trowbridge.
John Taylor.
Francis Dana.
William Dunn.
William Cogshall.
Benjamin Wisner.
In 1799 the district gave Charles Williamson and Nathaniel Norton
each twenty-five votes for the Assembly. In 1800 Thomas Morris had the
unanimous vote of the district (sixty-eight) for Congress. It has been
stated that only twenty-five families were living in the whole town in
1799, and of the fifty persons on the tax roll, six were assessed for per-
sonal property. In 1800 $2.00 were voted for wolf scalps "with the
skin thereon;" and it was also voted that "hog yokes be eight inches
above the neck." It was also voted that Elias Dickinson "be allowed
$">.oo for opening town meetings two years past." William Sheppard,
Lemuel Chapin, William Dunn, and Nathaniel Norton were candidates
for the Assembly ; Samuel Caldwell was town clerk. The town meeting
for 1800 was held at the dwelling of Moses Sill at Sodus Point, and that
of 1801 at the house of Timothy Smith. In this year thirteen path-
masters were chosen, and the territory of the present towns of Wil-
liamson, Marion, Walworth, and Ontario was set off to form a separate
school district. Mr. Caldwell was again chosen town clerk.
In 1802 the district held no meeting, but three justices of the county —
William Rogers, Darius Comstock, and Ezra Patterson — met at the
house of Oliver Kendall and appointed John Perrine, supervisor, and
Richard Jones, town clerk; the latter served until 1806.
In 1803 the annual town meeting was held at the house of William
Gibbs in Lyons, and the pound was located at that village. In 1806
Ezekiel Price was elected town clerk, and served until 1811. In 1807
the wolf bounty was increased to $5.00, and was discontinued in 1808.
WAYNE COUNTY. 201
The town meeting- of 1809 was held in Lyons at the dwelling of
Ezekiel Price; a pound thirty feet square and eight feet high was voted
to be built at Sod us, and a tax of $25 was voted for the town poor. In
1SU) a bounty of $10 for wolves and panthers was voted, and the towns
of Lyons and Arcadia were set off.
The first town meeting of the present town of Sodus was held in isi l
at the house of Daniel Arms, nearWallington, and the following officers
were chosen: Nathaniel Merrills, supervisor; Joseph Hathaway, town
clerk ; Jenks Pullen, Daniel Arms, John Holcomb, highway commis-
sioners; Daniel Arms, Daniel Hart, Mark Johnson, assessors; Jenks
Pullen, collector; Daniel Hart and Stephen Bushnell, overseers of the
poor; Jenks Pullen and Dan H. Harvey, constables. In 1813 the first
school inspectors were elected, as follows: Enoch Morse, Thaddeus
Bancroft, William Danforth, William N. Lummis, Daniel Arms, and
Peter Failing; and the school commissioners for that year were: John
Holcomb, Byram Green, and William Wickham. In the same year the
town was divided into eleven school districts ; a wolf bounty of $25 was
voted, and a fine of $5.00 was to be imposed on any person permitting
" Canada thistles to blossom on his farm or the highway adjoining."
The first town meeting held at Sodus village was in 1815, and since
that year that has been the regular place of meeting. The first justice
of the peace was probably Thomas Hathaway, although Williamson
held a sort of judicial appointment in Ontario county. In 1827 the fol-
lowing were elected : Byram Green, one year ; Alanson M. Knapp, two
years ; Thaddeus Bancroft, three years ; James Edwards, four years.
The supervisors of Sodus have been as follows :
1799, Azariah Willis, 1842, Byram Green,
1800-1, Timothy Smith, 1843-44, Alanson M. Knapp,
1802-3, John Perine, 1845, Alexander B. Williams,
1804-6, Daniel Dorsey, 1846, Jerry C. Rogers,
1807-10, Gilbert Howell, 1847, Thomas Wickham,
1811-13, Nathaniel Merrills, 1848, Jedediah Allen,
1814-24, Enoch Morse, 1849, Andrus A. Whitbeck,
1825-26, Jonathan L. Powell, 1850, Alanson M. Knapp,
1827, Byram Green, 1851-52, Jerry C. Rogers,
1828-32, William Danforth, 1853, Alanson M. Knapp,
1833-34, James Edwards, 1854, Aldice P. Warren,
1835-37, Robert A. Paddock, 1855, Noadiah M. Hill,
1838-39, William Edwards, 1856-58, David Poucher,
1840, Byram Green, 1859-60, Merritt Thornton,
1841, Charles W. Rees, 1861, Levi Gurnee,
26
202 LANDMARKS OF
1862-64, Durfee Wilcox, 1881-83, Lewis H. Clark,
1865, George W. Tillotson, 1884-86, John A. Boyd.
1866-67, Lewis Bates, 1887-89, Aldice W. Brower,
1868-71, George W. Tillotson, 1890, Lewis Bates,
1872-74, Louis Bates, 1891-92, Edward H. Sentell,
is::,, David Poucher, 1893, E. J. Gatchell,
1876, Charles D. Gaylord, 1894, John A. Boyd.
1877-80, Rowland Robinson,
The town officers for 1894 are: John A. Boyd, supervisor; Frank D.
Gaylord, town clerk; E. W. Kelly, Charles C. Wright, C. O. Brundige,
Albert Harris, George Emery, justices; George Van Antwerp, Stephen
Turner, John T. Pearsall, assessors; John B. Bayless, jr., collector;
Charles Emery, David Yaudy, overseers of the poor; P. Riggs, Charles
M. Sentell, S. V. Hewelt, highway commissioners.
From time immemorial the Indians gathered about Sodus Bay to
hunt and fish, and as white settlements crowded them westward they
long clung to its old associations by occasional visits. From 1725 to
] ;.",(> the French government was frequently advised by its emissaries
to built a fort here. In 1759 a force of English and colonial troops,
moving westward for the capture of Fort Niagara, stopped one night
at the bay. Other expeditions often made it their rendezvous, all of
which* have been properly noticed in earlier pages of this volume. The
locality had undoubtedly been visited previous to 1794 by surveyors,
agents, hunters, and other white men, but it was not until that year
that Charles Williamson took his small army of choppers, builders and
surveyers, and began clearing lands and erecting buildings at Sodus
Point. He was not alone in the belief that he was there founding a
place destined to future commercial importance. In the year just
named and previous to Williamson's arrival, Daniel Russell in the^town
of Williamson is believed to have been the only permanent settler in all
the region north of Palmyra.
Among the first operations at the Point by Williamson was the erection
of a tavern. He also built a yacht and launched it on the bay. It is
said that his improvements made during about two years cost $20,000.
In this tavern he placed Moses and Jabez Sill as landlords. Williamson's
hopes and expectations of the locality were not realized.
The builders of this tavern were Hoylarts & Borrekens, who in L811
were assessed for "eleven lots in Troopville " and "twenty-six acres in
the Gore, buildings, etc., $908." During the war of 1812 it was attacked
by British soldiers (in June, L813). It was burned in May, 1!S81.
WAYNE COUNTY 203
In 1795 Amos Richards, who had lived a short time with his wife
and daughter near Daniel Russell (before mentioned), removed to the
lake shore, seven miles west of Sodus Point, and built a log cabin on
land now owned by Charles H. Toor. After some years Richards left
his home and never returned; his wife afterwards married a Mr. Alcock,
who died, leaving a widow and daughter to continue the hardships of
pioneer life alone. Mrs. Alcock died in 1849, and her daughter, who
became Mrs. Jeduthan Morfat, in 18(39. Many of the friendly Indians,
explorers, and first settlers, as well as Charles Williamson himself, were
welcomed in their log cabin, and to Mrs. Morfat a monument has been
raised as a memorial to the last of the earliest permanent settler family
in town.
About 1796 Elijah Brown located on the Swales lot four miles west
of the Point, but soon removed to the mouth of Oak Orchard Creek, in
Orleans county and died at Irondequoit in 1805. Norman Mary also
settled at the Point the same time and Stephen Bushnell purchased the
farm occupied in recent years by Ephraim Leiter, and brought in his
family in 1803; Mr. Bushnell was commissioner of highways in 1801
and several terms overseer of the poor.
John Boyd and his son Frederick, from Maryland, came in 1798 and
settled on the east side of the bay and made a little improvement ; but
in the next year, being without near neighbors, they removed to the
other side and settled on Salmon Creek in what is called "Christian
Hollow." Two years later Thomas Boyd, a younger son of John, came
and lived in the cabin with his father until 1815, when he married and
located on the Geneva road. John Boyd died in 1817 and Frederick
returned to Maryland. Sons of Thomas were John A., and Reuben.
Other settlers on the Geneva road in 1797 were the Pollock families.
In 1800 Richard Sergeant came from Boston and boarded with them
for time. He settled a little later on what became the Kitchen farm,
and had sons, Artemas, Richard, George, Nathan, William, James and
Thomas, and three daughters.
In April, 1801, Ammi Ellsworth, from Connecticut, settled on the
Pulver place; Asahel Osburn, his brother-in-law, came with him and
built a log house and sowed ten acres of wheat on what has been known
as the Irwin farm. Ellsworth also built a log house. Mr. Ellsworth
said in later years that when he came in the only neighbors west of him
were Daniel Russell, Amos Richards, and Elijah Brown. Stephen
Bushnell was, however, a resident at that time. A log house that had
204 LANDMARKS OF
been built near the Thornton place was early opened as atavern. Mr.
Ellsworth lived long in the town and left many descendants, among them
Levi Ellsworth, a son, and Mrs. Samuel Hanford, daughter, both resi-
dents of Sodus. His daughter Aurelia, familiarly known as "Aunt
Aurelia, " was born here December 8, 1804, and died on the homestead
unmarried, October 29, 1889.
Dr. William N. Lummis, from Philadelphia, settled in the town in
1801, and is noticed in the chapter on the medical profession. He built
the old Preston grist mill, a saw mill, a forge, and several dwellings,
and was the foremost citizen of the town. His son, Benjamin R. , died
at Sodus Point in June, 1882. Dr. Thomas G. Lawson came from
England and located at the Point at an early day.
Slavery was introduced into Sodus by Col. Peregrine Fitzhugh, who
had served in the Revolutionary war and held a position in Washington's
life guard. He migrated from Maryland to Geneva in 1800 and thence
to Sodus Point in 1803, bringing his family and thirty to forty slaves.
The slaves were freed in a few years and for some time composed a
colony of their own in the neighborhood of the Point; at one time they
numbered eighty persons.
Elder Seba Norton, the pioneer Baptist minister, came to the town
in 1804. He was a Revolutionary soldier and lived a short time in
Marion before settling in Sodus.
Joseph Hathaway made his settlement on the Thornton place in 1803 ;
and in 180G John Corey came from Warren county and settled at South
Sodus, while Elder Gerum located north of Wallington on the Geneva
road. About 1803 Matthew Clark settled near the brick meeting house
and at about the same time Isaac Mason began improvement on the
farm latterly occupied by D. Wilcox.
Several settlers came in 1807 — Jenks Pullen, from Phelps, who loca-
ted at South Sodus; Abner Torrey, from the west side of Lake Cham-
plain; Samuel Warren from New Hampshire, located at South Sodus
and in February, 1.S08, brought his family; Elijah and Clark were his
sons, the former becoming a Methodist preacher, and the latter a pilot
on Lake Ontario, where he served in several naval engagements and
also at the battle of Sandy Creek in 1812. Gardner Warren, father of
A. P. Warren, was also in the latter engagement.
In 1808 Silas F. Andrews, grandfather of Joseph Andrews, lived in a
log house at Sodus Center. About the same year William Young set-
tled south of the old Thornton limekiln; he was an old sea captain and
WAYNE COUNTY. 205
father of Joseph Young. In 1793 Drniel Arms moved from Chenango
county to Ontario county, and afterwards lived in Phelps, whence he
came to Sodus in 1808, settling- near a spring a little west from Wall-
ington station, north of the house of Edward Messenger. In his house
the first town meeting was held in 1811, after Sodus had assumed its
present limits. In 1809 Mr. Arms erected a saw mill, going to Phelps
for men to raise it. He held several town offices, and died November
11, 1830.
Dr. Elisha Mather settled in Sodus in 1810, coming from Jefferson
county, and originally from Connecticut. Locating first on the east
side of Salmon Creek, he removed in 1821 to Sodus Center, where he
practiced his profession. He had a son of the same name.
In township 13 in the southwestern part of Sodus, settlement began
in 1807, when Elisha Granger, Noble Granger, and Parson Hunn came
in. In March, 1808, John Granger removed from Phelps to Sodus, and
three days later Mark Johnson, from Pompey, Onondaga county, came
and settled at the "Corners" that took his name. In 1809 Flavel
Kingsley settled on the William Filkins farm. In this township (13)
Pierce Granger bought 800 acres of land at twenty cents an acre. His
tract was divided into four farms of about equal size and the locality
became known as " Granger's Settlement."
In 1811 Lyman Dunning, Nathaniel Kellogg, Joseph and Samuel
Green, Kitchell Bell, Robert A. Paddock, William Danforth (later a
justice) and others, from Williamstown, Mass., settled along the Ridge,
while on or near Morse Hill were the families of Bacon, Morse, and
Smith. Byram Green was educated in Williams College, and was long
one of the assessors, a justice, school commissioner, school inspector,
State senator in 1823-4, and supervisor in 1827, 1840 and 1842. His
widow, Elizabeth, died here in October, 1881. His father, Captain
Joseph Green, was an early settler. Mr. Danforth was supervisor from
1828 to 1832.
In the neighborhood of the Centenary church and towards Alton the
families of Bancroft, Barnard, Knapp, Axtell, Terry, and Warner
settled prior to 1812; and at Sodus Point Rodolphus Field, William P.
Irwin, and William Wickham located, the latter being a merchant.
Gamaliel Case was another settler of that date. About 1813 Enoch
Morse came to the town; from 1814 to 1824 inclusive he was supervisor,
and in 1826 was member of Assembly. Thomas Wickham and his
brother were also early and prominent settlers. Thomas, a son of the
206 LANDMARKS OF
brother, died here, November 3, 1882. Rodolphus Field served in the
war of 1812, cut the first tree on the site of Alton village, and died
October 11, L880.
Levi Allen, born in East Windsor, Conn., March 4, 1780, came to
Sodus in March, 1817, and died January 20, 1867. His son, Charles J.
Allen, a farmer, carpenter, and groceryman, was born here, March 14,
1820, and died October 12, 1888. Francis Reed, born in L809, removed
to Sodus with his parents about 1816, and died June 12, 1882. Austin
M. Richardson, a native of Genesee county, came here in 1829, and died
in February, 1881.
In 1815 William Delano came from Maine to Sodus, and settled op-
posite the Lefurgey burying ground. He had been here in 1813 in com-
pany with Enoch Carl, Richard Hayden, and John Butler; in 1815 also
came the Dennis and the Lane families, and soon afterwards the
Lightons. William, James, and Joseph Walling, William Champlin,
and the Pendell family were also early settlers. Lemuel Higgins,
about 1812; Henry Pulver, who died in March, 1853; Abner Arms,
younger brother of Daniel Arms; Mr. Wride, an Englishman and father
of Robert; Mr. Hanby, father of Charles Hanby; William Dolloway;
Thomas Granger, born in 1803, and died here, September 2, 1881; John
Preston, born in England in 1808, and died January 16, 1881; Pardon
and Jeremiah Harrington, brothers and noted Inmters; and others were
prominent among the earlier comers to Sodus.
Among others who became settlers down to about 1845 were: Merritt
Thornton in 1816, Robert Bean in 1817, Linus Coleman and Robert D.
Dennis in 1818, John R. Proseus in 1821, John Bates in 1825, George
W. Baker in 1827, John Harborton and John Toor, sr., in 1831, Sheldon
and John B. Gbodsell and Clement Harvey in 1832, Harry Pulver in
L833, Benjamin Rogers, Thomas Lund, and Rodolphus Dingman in
1835, Henry Ward in 1836, Daniel Bloomer, Anson Beebe, and Samuel
B. and B. B. Green in 1837, Lyman and P. P. Butts, and John Toor,
jr., in L838, John Mclntyre and B. B. Seaman (lawyer) in 1843. John
Toor, sr., was born in England in 1801, and died November 11, 1S82.
Solomon G. Smedley, a native of Vermont, born in 1798, came to
Sodus in 1846, and died Narch 27, L889. Gilbert Van Allen Hill, born
in North Chatham, N. Y., in IS 17, settled in this town in 1845, and died
January IS, 1889; he was father of John C, Noadiah, and Henry Hill,
and Mrs. T. H. Hathaway. Azel Carpenter came to Sodus in July,
L817, and died January 5, 1882. Noah W. Silver was born in New
WAYNE COUNTY. 207
Jersey in 1 S • » 1 , removed to Sodus about 1845, and died in Alton in
August, 1880. Stephen Tinklepaugh was born in this town April 14,
1810, and died at Sodus Point September 10, 1885. Rev. John Gates,
born in England in 178!), settled in the town north of the old stone
school house in 1830, and died a few months later; he was a Methodist
preacher, a teacher, and a farmer; his son John died in February, 1886.
Andrew A. Whitbeck, who was born at Kinderhook in 1808, came to
Arcadia at the age of twenty-one years, and a few years later settled in
Sodus, where he died April 23, 1885; he was a farmer and served as
supervisor in 1849. John G. Kelly, born in 1809, came to this town
with his father, Myric, in 1827, held several town offices, and died in
July, 1882. Jonas Miller, who came to Sodus village in 1841, was born
in Columbia county in December, 1817; he died March 19, 1881. Colonel
Enoch Granger aquired his title in the State militia; he was born in
Phelps, N. Y. , in 1801, removed here when eighteen years old, and died
in Joy in July, 1882. He was railroad commissioner during the con-
struction of the Sodus Point and Southern Railroad.
Daniel McMillen settled near South Sodus at an early day, and built
the first log house and later a frame dwelling ; the latter burned in May,
1887, at which time it was occupied by the four McMillen sisters — Mrs.
Betsey Weaver, Mrs. Mary Knapp, Mrs. Rosana Reynold, and Miss
Eunice McMillen. Major W. H. Sentell, who died in December, 1887,
was the first commander of Dwight Post No. 109, G. A, R., and several
years was collector at Sodus Point.
Dr. William D. Cooke, who was born in Geneva, October 18, 1807,
studied medicine and began practice at Penn Yann. In 1835 he pur-
chased 200 acres of the old Lummis farm. He was active in the promotion
of the Sodus Point Railroad, and was its president and a director for a
time. He did not practice his profession here, and died in Vineland,
N. J., October 13, 1885.
Major General Gordon Granger was a son of Gaius Granger, and was
born in Joy in 1818. In 1841 he was appointed a cadet at West Point,
and upon his graduation in 1845 he joined the 2d Infantry for garrison
duty in Michigan. In the Mexican war he was promoted captain, and
from then until the late war began he served mainly on the Indian
frontier. During the Civil War he rendered gallant service, and in
March, 1865, was made brevet major-general of volunteers. In July,
1866, he was appointed colonel of the 55th Regiment of Regulars, of
which he took command in December, 1870, and held the post until his
death in January, 1876.
208 LANDMARKS OF
Thomas H. Potwine was born in East Windsor, Conn., August 5,
lsii.'), and came to the Sweet Settlement in Sodus in 1835. He was a
respected farmer.
Eli Clark came from Massachusetts to this town in 1816, and settled
on a farm on lot 9, which he owned until his death in 1871. Here his
son, Professor Lewis H. Clark, was born, September 11, 1827. Professor
Clark was educated in the common and select schools of this town, and
in the Walworth and Macedon Academies, studied law in Chicago, and
has devoted most of his life to teaching-. He has been principal and a
trustee of Sodus Academy several years, and long an elder and prom-
inent member of the Presbyterian church. In 1873 he was librarian of
the Assembly, and in 1876-77 was executive clerk in the State Senate.
Professor Clark is a scholarly writer and has assiduously labored in pre-
serving local history. He has published several volumes, among them
being his invaluable Military History of Wayne County.
Major A. B. Williams began business in Sodus as a dry goods
merchant in the firm of Warner & Williams. In 1840 he was elected
supervisor, and in 1841 was appointed collector of customs at Sodus
Point. He resigned, and in 1845 was elected county clerk, and again
in 1848. In 1855 he was defeated for State treasurer on the Whig
ticket, and in 1858 was elected State senator. During the Rebellion he
was appointed paymaster with the rank of major. He finally removed
to Chicago and died in April, 1873.
David Poucher was several times supervisor of Sodus; he settled here
in 1836, and was for a time superintendent of the Erie Canal through
the county. In 1880 he was appointed collector of customs at Sodus
Point. He died August 11, 1893.
Many other settlers and residents of the town are noticed a little
further on in this chapter and in Part II. of this volume.
At the town meeting in 1814 the following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, That this'town being most exposed to the enemy, it is deemed best to
provide ourselves for the defense of the frontier.
Resolved, That William N. Lummis, William Wickham, John Fellows, Thomas
Wafer, and Ashur Doolittle be a committee of safely for the town of Sodus.
Resolved, That said committee offer a subscription to the good people of Sodus for
funds to defend said town, and that such subscription be demanded only in case of
the enemy obtaining command at Lake Ontario.
Nothing of importance came of these proceedings, as the necessity
for action did not arise.
WAYNE COUNTY. 209
In the war of the Rebellion the town made a brilliant record, more
than 4(H) of her citizens participating' in the service, and over a hundred
losing their lives in the long" struggle. The organizations in which
these volunteers went out have beenmoticed in an earlier chapter.
The first burials in this town were on the lake bank at Soclus Point.
The brick church and the Bushnell burying grounds were opened at an
early day, while the old graveyard south of the Whitney House in Soclus
village was laid out soon after settlement began. Through the labors
of Professor Clark this has been cleaned up and put in respectable con-
dition; it contains the remains of Dr. William N. Lummis, and many
other pioneers. The burial plat near the Whitbeck school house was
opened about 1812, but prior to this several interments had been made
on the north side of the hill, from which the remains have not all been
removed.
Tradition asserts that the first school in this town was taught by Mrs.
Armsbury, a sister of Daniel Arms, on the Geneva road north of Wal-
lington. Another early and short lived school house was built on the
northeast corner of Nathaniel Merrill's farm, and among its first teach-
ers were Dr. Gibbs and Huldah Ter^ry. Elder Seba Norton built a
school house near his dwelling, and at an early date another was erected
at the forks of the Lyons road, called " Merchant's." In 1812 a school
house was built at Sodus Center, and on September 28 of that year it
was voted to build another at Sodus village. Among early teachers are
recalled the names of Dr. Elisha Mather, Enquire Colbath, Capt. Will-
iam Champlin, Otis C. Knapp, Willard Bancroft Morley, Josiah Rice, a
Mr. Lovejoy, Ann Strong (Mrs. Sanford Williams), Clarissa Snow (Mrs.
Austin Rice), Mrs. Young, Miss Stone (Mrs. Josiah Hayward), James
Rogers, Zenas Horr, Bethuel Reed, and Charles Kellogg.
At the annual town meeting in 1813 it was decided to divide the town
into eleven school districts, and three school commissioners — Byram
Green, John Holcomb, and William Wickham — and six school inspec-
tors— Thaddeus Bancroft, Enoch Morse, William Danforth, Dr. Will-
iam N. Lummis, Peter Failing, and Daniel Arms — were chosen. In
June following the commissioners formally laid out the eleven districts,
among them being No. 1, Sodus Point; No. 4, Sodus village; No. 8,
Arms Cross Roads (now Wallington) ; No. 9, Sodus Center; No. 10,
South Sodus ; the others embraced the parts of the town not named.
A series of select schools were taught at Sodus village by A. M. Win-
chester in 1838-39 ; Charles L. Curtiss in 1840-41 ; Jesse Andrews in
27
210 LANDMARKS OF
1842-43; Rev. Hosea Kittredge in 1844-45; Rev. William Hall about
L849; and Lewis H. Clark in 1851-52. In the winter of 1851-52 Profes-
sor Clark wrote and posted a notice for a meeting to consider the ques-
tion of establishing an academy at Sodus village. The meeting was
held February 3, 1852, with William Tillotson as chairman; and A. M.
Winchester secretary. Dr. Levi Gaylord drew resolutions providing
for the formation of an academy association, which were adopted Feb-
ruary 28. The first Board of Trustees comprised Michael O'Keefe,
John White, Jerry C. Rogers, Dennis Lefurgey, Miles L. Landon,
Lewis H. Clark, Anson Proseus, Enoch Granger, Jesse H. Green, An-
drew C. Williams, William Sergeant, and Silas P. Hulett. April 30 a
site was chosen, the building was erected in the summer of 1853 and the
school opened October 18 of the latter year. In the fall of 1854 a library
and scientific apparatus fund was raised, and on January 11, 1855, the
Regents of the University of the State incorporated it as an endowment
academy. In the winter of 1858-59 the sum of $800 was raised by sub-
scription to extinguish the indebtedness, which left the institution un-
embarrassed. The principals of the academy have been as follows:
A. B. Johnson, 1853-4. B. F. Dake, is:,; s
Dexter E. Clapp, 1854-5. Lewis H. Clark, 1858-64.
Elisha Harris, 1855-6. Elisha Curtis, 1864-5 to 1891-2.
Charles D. Dann, 1856-7. Lewis H. Clark, 1892-3 to present time.
In 1858 the town had twenty-three districts, in which 1,880 children
were taught. In 1894 there are the same number of districts with a
school house in each, taught during the year 1892-3 by twenty-seven
teachers, and attended by 1,014 scholars. The school sites and build-
ings are valued at $19,890; assessed valuation of districts, $2,286,830;
money received from the State, $3,535.42; amount raised by local tax,
$4,337.21.
Statistics of 1858: Valuation of real estate, $1,085,811 ; personal prop-
erty, $116,089; there were then 2,331 male and 2,207 female inhabi-
tants, 908 dwellings, 932 families, 777 freeholders, and eleven churches
in the town.
In 1890 the town had a population of 5,151, or 128 less than in L880.
In 1893 the assessed valuation of real estate was $1,244. 14 (equalized
$1,309,096); village and mill property, $484,939 (equalized $448,481);
railroads and telegraphs, $257,259 (equalized $25:i, 12<>); personal prop-
erty, $246,425. Schedule of taxes, 1893: Contingent fund, $3,654.87;
roads and bridges, $250; special town tax, $10, II L.83; school tax, $2,-
4>
WAYNE COUNTY. -II
065.11; county tax, $4,041; State tax, $2,722.76: State insane tax,
$702.42; dog- tax, $178.50. Total tax, $26,209.14; rate per cent.,
.01173909.
Sodus Village. — This thrifty village is situated on the R. W. & ( >,
Railroad, a little northwest of the geographical center of the town.
Most of its pioneer history has been noticed in the foregoing pages. The
first settler was John Holcomb, who built here in November, 1809. In
1812 the place contained, besides Holcomb's log house, a tavern, a frame
school house in front of the site of the Whitney House barn, and five or
six other log dwellings. The post-office was established at an early day
as " East Ridge," and its name was eventually changed to Sodus. The
present postmaster is M. W. Gurnee.
E. A. Green started the first banking business in the village between
I860 and 1870 (he was born in this county in 1826). He failed in 1876
and soon afterward E. W. Gurnee & Co. opened what was called Green's
Banking Office in the store now occupied by A. E. Buckler. The in-
direct successor of that institution was the Bank of Sodus, of which C.
K. Knapp is proprietor. This was established in 1883, and is continued
in connection with Mr. Knapp's drug and notion store.
The present banking business of C. D. Gay lord was founded October
1, 1881, by S. P. Hulett and Mr. Gaylord. Mr. Hulett died in July,
1884, and since then Mr. Gaylord has been sole proprietor. The bank
building was erected by E. W. Gurnee & Co. , and has been occupied by
the present incumbent since 1885.
Fish & Hulett's basket factory was started by Granger, Golding & Co.
in 1886. In 1887 they sold to B . J . Case, who sold out to the present
firm in the fall of 1891. During the summer they employ forty-five
hands making fruit baskets, crates, etc., and in the winter operate a
custom steam saw mill .
The Norris Fruit Evaporator was built in 1880 by Felker, Danfords
& Co. In 1881 Willis C. Teall purchased the interests of Mr. Felker
and the two Danfords and with Mr. Norris enlarged the establishment
to a daily capacity of two tons of dried apples. In 1887 Mr. Teall sold
his interst to E. B. Norris who, with W. R. Norris, organized the firm
of E. B. Norris & Co., which was dissolved in August, 1894, by the
admission of Byron J. Case. This is one of the largest fruit evapora-
tors in Wayne county and during the busy season gives employment to
twenty hands.
212 LANDMARKS OF
The Whitney House is one of the oldest hotels in the town and is so
called from a long time landlord of that name. The present proprie-
tor is E. N. Snider.
Sodus village now contains two private banks, a newspaper, three
churches, an academy, a graded school, five general stores, two hard-
ware stores, two drug stores, two jewelry stores, three milliners, a
clothing store, a variety store, three meat markets, two hotels, two har-
ness shops, a bakery, three physicians, two dentists, four lawyers, two
undertakers, one foundry, a grist mill, a box factory, a lumber yard,
three coal yards, two produce dealers, an evaporator, two carriage re-
positories, two wagon and four blacksmith shops, two warehouses, a
hay rack factor)-, one machine shop, a marble works, and 1,028 inhab-
itants.
Sonrs Point. — The early history of the present town as well as that
of Wayne county largely centers at this interesting village. It was
here that Captain Charles Williamson, with a small force of laborers,
commenced improvements in 1794. Situated on the lake shore and on
the west side of Great Sodus Bay, and possessing one of the best har-
bors along the American shore of Lake Ontario, he predicted for it a
future importance scarcely conceivable in the light of modern develop-
ments. In his vivid imagination he planned a city, even to a prelimi-
nary survey, to extend " between Salmon Creek and Great Sodus Bay,
and a spacious street with a large square in the center." At a very
earh' date it bore the name of Troupville, from Robert Troup, of New
York. Williamson's expectations were never realized; instead, the
place, after a lethargic growth, assumed the position of a small country
village combined with that of a pleasant summer resort.
Captain Williamson erected a hotel where David Rogers's house now
stands; be also built several dwellings, and on Salmon Creek, two miles
west, he put up a saw mill and grist mill — all in 1794. The grist mill
remained in operation until about L807. The saw mill, which also went
down about the same time, stood near the pond south of Preston's mills
on the east side of the creek. Timothy Axtell built a saw mill for
Judge Nichols about L795. Among the early industries at the Point
were those of John Wafer, blacksmith; David McNutt, shoemaker;
Captain William Wickham, the first merchant; James Kane, John Mc-
Allister, John Gibson, Thomas Wickham, and a Mr. Sage, merchants.
The first lighthouse was built about L820, and piers were erected from
L828 to is;; | by William Barckley and E. W. Sentell, government con-
WAYNE COUNTY. 213
tractors. Subsequently the lighthouse was rebuilt and another one
erected, the piers have been rebuilt and extended, breakwaters have
been constructed, and several appropriations have been expended in
deepening and clearing the channel leading into the bay. The place
has long been a port of entry. The post-office here was the first in town,
and was established under the name of Sodus, which was eventually
changed to Sodus Point; the present postmaster is Matthew M. Farrell.
Occasionally early letters, it is said, came directed to ''Arms Roads."
In July, 1872, the Sodus Bay division of the present Northern Central
Railroad was completed and opened with its northern terminus at this
place. It is principally due to the construction of this railway that So-
dus Point owes prominence as a summer resort. A number of prett)^
cottages and several neat hotels grace the beautiful site and attract
each summer crowds of visitors seeking rest and recreation.
Wallington. — This hamlet is situated southeast of Sodus village, at
the junction of the Sodus Point and Southern, and the Rome, Water-
town and Ogdensburgh Railroads, and for many years was a sort of ren-
dezvous for county political conventions. The site was first owned by
Daniel Arms, at whose house several of the earlier town meetings were
held. The next owner was John W. Messenger, the stepfather of his
successor, Charles D. Lent. The place owes its existence to the rail-
roads, and was named from an old stone tavern near by. Mr. Lent was
the first station agent here of the Sodus Point Railroad, a position he
held thirteen years. The first depot, north of the junction, has been
occupied as a dwelling for some time ; in it Mr. Lent opened the first
store and kept the first post-office, holding the latter position nine years.
He also opened the first village hotel, of which he still continues as the
landlord. When the stations of the two railroads were merged into one
he was appointed agent. He was born in England and settled in Sodus
in 1836. The original station here on the Sodus Point Railroad was
known as " Calciana, " the latinized expression for lime. Wallington
now contains two stores, two hotels, post-office (with John Marenus,
postmaster), and about fifteen dwellings. It was formerly an impor-
tant transfer point for coal, etc., but since the R. W. & O. was leased
to the New York Central Railroad most of the business has gone else-
where.
Sodus Center. — This is a station on the Sodus Point and Southern
Railroad, a little southeast of the center of the town. The first build-
ing here was the saw mill and perhaps a dwelling erected by Hawk and
214 LANDMARKS OF
Taylor as early af 1808. About the same time Silas F. Andrews built
a grist mill on the site of the Reynolds mill; in 1810 it was owned by
Elijah Lemanon, and afterwards in turn by Barley & Andrews, the Van
Wickles, and Case & Roberts. The Mather grist mill was erected later.
At one time a carding mill and foundry were operated here. The
place now contains a post-office, a district school, churches and the com-
mercial industries, etc., usually found in a small, thriving rural vil-
lage. The present postmaster is vSheldon Sours, who succeeded Alden
W. Brower.
South Sodus. — This is a postal hamlet in the southeast corner of the
town. The original settlers here were Silas F. Andrews and William
Young about 1808. Mr. Andrews erected a saw mill during the war of
1812; he died in 1820. The place contains a store, hotel, church, dis-
trict school, blacksmith and wagon shop, and a number of houses. The
postmaster is Erastus Bloomer, who succeeded Maurice E. Chittenden.
Alton is a postal village and station situated a little north of the R.
W. & O. Railroad in the east part of the town. Its name was suggested
by Mr. Gates in memory of his native place in Connecticut. The first
clearing was made and the first house was built by a Mr. Barnard in
1812; a few years afterward a saw mill was erected and placed in opera-
tion. In March, 1889, fire burned the warehouse and lumber yard of
E. J. Gatchell, causing a loss of $10,000. The village has maintained
a position of local importance, and contains several churches, a good
school, hotel, and a number of commercial and other interests. The
present postmaster, Eugene Philo, succeeded Charles Emery in that
position.
Joy. — The first house in this place was erected by Gaius Granger, the
father of Gen. Gordon Granger, before mentioned. It is situated in
the southeast part of the town, and takes its name from Benjamin Joy,
of London, England, who was the original owner of this township (Li),
the land office for which was distinct from that of the Pultney estate at
Geneva; David Hudson was an early agent of this tract. A saw mill
was built here about 1812, and subsequently a shingle mill was oper-
ated. Joy is a pleasant rural hamlet, surrounded by good farms, and
contains a church, store, post-office, district school, and a small cluster
of houses. Harry Messenger, the present postmaster, succeeded Asa
F. Andrews in that position.
Sprong's -Bluff is a small summer resort on Charles Sprong's farm on
the lake shore, north of Sodus village.
WAYNE COUNTY. 215
Maxwell's, the location of Preston's mill, was so named by Dr. William
N. Lummis in honor of the family name of his wife. It is situated on
Salmon Creek, two miles west from Sodus Point, and is the western
extremity of Captain Williamson's visionary "city." During the war
of 1812 Dr. Lummis moved hither from Sodus Point; he built the old
Preston grist mill, a saw mill, an iron forge, and several houses. This
was the second grist mill in town, and for a time was run by Isaac
Davison. The place has never attained distinction more important
than a mill site.
Methodist Episcopal Churches. — Probably the first Methodist preacher
in Sodus was Elder Gerum, who settled on the Pitcher farm as early as
1800. Elijah Warren, the oldest son of Samuel, came to South Sodus
with the family in 1808. Being then a licentiate he held meetings in
that neighborhood; he subsequently joined the annual conference and
was appointed to the circuit. Rev. Mr. Goodenough came here in 1810,
and held meetings at his house and elsewhere. In 180? or 1808 prayer
and class meetings were held at the dwelling of John Reed, and from
1810 to about 1822 circuit preaching was had at Rev. Mr. Goodenough's
residence. In 1822 the meeting place was changed to the house of
Thomas Boyd. The first class at South Sodus was formed in 1824.
The first recorded quarterly conference for the Sodus circuit met at the
Baptist meeting house, September 27, 1828. December 1, 1832, it was
decided to build a church at South Sodus. The edifice, a stone struc-
ture, was erected in 1834-35 at a cost of about $2,500, and was dedi-
cated July 4, 1836. Mr. Gridley donated the site. A new building
was erected in 1871, and dedicated September 27, of that year. With
the parsonage it cost $12,000. The Sunday school has a membership
of one hundred, with Rev. R. E. Huntley, the pastor, as superintendent.
The church has about thirty-five members.
With the conversion of Samuel Morse about 1827, Methodist meet-
ings commenced on Morse Hill. Rev. Joseph Gates settled north of the
stone school house in June, 1830, but died in the following September.
In those few months, however, the fires of Methodism were kindled in
the neighborhood. A class was formed, and February 25, 1840, a
society was organized at the house of Ellathan Baker, the first trustees
being Charles Hanby, Ellathan Baker, and Robert Howcroft. A lot
was bought and the old Centenary church was erected that year. In
time the old edifice was removed a little west and converted into a Good
Templars' lodge room, and on the original site the present Centenary
216 LANDMARKS OF
church was built. The locality is three miles northwest of Sodus vil-
lage and is locally known as "New England."
Methodists living in the south and central parts of the town early
began plans for their spiritual welfare, and a project was inaugurated
to build at Johnson's Corners. A subscription was raised and a build-
ing committee appointed ; but the location was happily changed to Sodus
village. The society was formed by the union of classes at lohnson's
Corners and Sentell's Mills. A vacant store was utilized as a place of
worship. Septcmher 3, 1840, a stone church was begun, but a year
later only the basement had been finished. In it, however, the first
meeting was held on Christmas eve, of that year, and in 1 S40 it was
finished and dedicated. The society was formally organized June S,
L838, when Milton N. Barclay (afterwards a Methodist minister),
Edward W. Sentell, Stephen White, John Warner, and Michael Tinkle-
paugh were chosen trustees. In L 887 the old stone church was torn
down, and on its site the present handsome brick edifice was built at a
cost of $15,000. It was dedicated by Bishop Andrews of New York,
January 25, L889. The present trustees are: W. H. Ward, Henry
Richardson, B. W. Case, Cornelius Whitbeck, and M. P. Boyd. The
pastor is Rev. John G. Foote, who also has charge of the Centenary
church. The society owns a frame parsonage and has over 250 mem-
bers and a Sunday school of 240 pupils.
The Methodist Society of Sodus Point was organized as a branch of
the Sodus village church, Febmary 14, 1871, with John N. Wood, E.
\V. Sentell, John Preston, Deforest McNett, and William Buys, trustees.
In 1871 they were constituted a separate society, and the same year a
church costing $4,000 was built; it was dedicated July 1 ;, 1872. Rev.
R. E. Huntley is pastor, and also of the church at South Sodus. The
society owns a parsonage at the Point. The church has about eighty
members, and the Sunday school an average attendance of fifty-six;
E. H. Sentell is superintendent.
Baptist Churches. — Among the records of this denomination is the
following: "Sodus, March 11, I sou, a conference held; Elder Norton,
moderator, and adjourned to April 1. Met at the house of Joshua
Palmer according to adjournment." This led to church organization in
the southern part of the district of Sodus. In L820 covenant meetings
were authorized in the southern part of the present town and the north
part of Lyons, and on March :;, L821, a society was formed, but its cer-
tificate of incorporation was not filed until 1825. In this year Elder
WAYNE COUNTY. 217
vSeba Norton, with characteristic energy, began the erection of the brick
church at " Rossiter's Corners," now Sodus Center, on land given by
the Pnltney estate to the First Baptist Society of Sodus for "a glebe,
a chapel, and a burial place." The edifice was finished in 1826, and the
first covenant meeting was held in it July 15. March 10, 1834, fifty
members were dismissed to organize the West Baptist church mentioned
below; in June James Walling and Lawrence Vosburg were chosen
deacons. This church led in the pioneer labors of fostering Christianity
in the town and is now one of the oldest landmarks in the county,
widely known as " the old brick meeting house." The society has about
thirty-three members and a Sunday school with an average attendance
of forty-five pupils and officers. Charles D. Lent is superintendent.
On March 5, 1834, the West Baptist Church of Sodus was organized
in the Episcopal church of Sodus village with fifty-two members ; the
first clerk was Moses Parke. John M. Granger and Reuben Graham
were the first deacons. The first communion was celebrated April 20,
1834. On April 10, 1840, the society formally disbanded, and a re-
organization was effected February 14, 1841, at the house of Deacon
Granger, and the church was again reorganized by council, July 15,
following. Their regular place of meeting was at the Granger school
house. The last recorded covenant meeting was in March, 1858. Soon
afterward the society ceased to exist.
Presbyterian Churches. — The formation of this denomination in town
is largely due to the settlement of Byram, Joseph, and Samuel Green,
three brothers, in 1811. A society called the First Presbyterian Church
of Sodus was organized October 23, 1812, by Rev. David Tullar and
Oliver Ayres, with twelve members. Immediatly after the organization
Flavel Kingsley, Mrs. Harriet Higgins, and Mrs. Elizabeth Clark
offered themselves and were admitted to membership. The first
deacons were Matthew Clark and Phineas Hayward, and the first clerk,
Byram Green. August 11, 1819, the church formally voted to adopt
the Presbyterian form of government. Prior to this it had been sub-
stantially Congregational, notwithstanding" the fact that its legal certi-
ficate styles the body The First Union Presbyterian Society of Sodus.
It is presumed that the term Union was used because of the Presby-
terians and the Congregationalists being united in the same organization.
Meetings were held in various places until 1827, when a church was
erected in Sodus village. Levi Gurnee and Judge Green, with their ox
teams drew the timber from Flavel Kingsley 's farm, and the frame was
28
218 LANDMARKS OF
aised June 28. In L863 it was superseded by the present structure,
which was dedicated in June of that year. The old edifice was sold to
Rufus A. Moses, the contractor for the new building, and finally became
a planing mill in the eastern part of the village. The society now has
about 'Mo members under the pastoral care of Rev. A. I). Mcintosh.
The Sunday school has about 140 scholars, with A. J. Barber, super-
intendent. The parsonage was built in 1874-75.
The Presbyterian Church of Joy was organized March IS, 1845, under
the name of The Church of Wayne, though it is better known by the
title first given. Eleven members were from the church at Sodus, and
five from the church at Newark. The ground for a church and cemetcrv
was given by Samuel White, and the following were the first trustees:
Henry I. Pulver, Martin Fredenburgh, Adam Tinklepaugh, Samuel
White, Nelson Lapham, Henry R. Leggett. Meetings were held in the
school house several years, but no house of worship was erected, and
services were finally suspended. A new movement and partial reorgani-
zation occurred October IS, L852, and the house was built in the sum-
mer of L853, and dedicated December 23, by Rev. Charles Hawley.
During the early organization the elders were Martin Fredenburgh,
Henry Pulver, and Stephen G. Weaver. April 16, 1854, Enoch Granger,
Anthony Pulver, and David Leighton were elected elders. The church
has maintained public worship very steadily since that time. There
are about fifty members, and a Sunday school of sixty scholars; M. D.
White, superintendent.
The Presbyterian Church of Sodus Center was organized March 10,
L863; Rev. Chester Holcomb was moderator. The first trustees were:
John F. Proseus, Lewis Crane, Harrison Cottrell, Robert Shepardson,
and John F. Peeler. They erected a house of worship in wSodus Center
in 1866, at a cost of $1,000. A commission of the Lyons Presbyterv,
consisting of Revs. William L. Page and William Young, constituted
the church October 26, 1870, with nine members. The society now lias
t"ort}r members, and a Sunday school of fifty scholars, with C. M. Clapp,
superintendent. The pastor of this church and also of the church at
Joy is Rev. E. J. Bulgin.
Episcopal Churches. — Probably the first clergyman of this denomina-
tion to visit Wayne county was Rev. Davenport Phelps, that pioneer of
Episcopalianism in Western New York. He was the first officiating
minister in Geneva in L806, or before, and frequently visited Sodusand
other towns. July 25, L826, the first parochial meeting in this town was
WAYNE COUNTY. 2lfl
held at the old brick school house, and in August St. John's Church,
Sodus Ridge (now Sodus village), was organized by Rev. form A.
Clark. Thomas Wickham and Elijah McKinney were elected wardens,
and Elisha Mather, Oren Gaylord, Henry Jones, Bennett C. Fitzhugh,
John O'Bryan, Joseph Williams, William Dolloway, and William N.
Lummis were chosen vestrymen. The certificate of incorporation was
acknowledged and recorded in the county clerk's office August 20, L826,
The corner stone of the present edifice was laid with Masonic ceremonies
September 26, L826. It was completed and dedicated September 8,
1834, by Rt. Rev. Bishop Coxe, of Buffalo. It contains several memo-
rial windows. The parish has fifty-five communicants under the rector-
ship of Rev. F. W. Beecher, who is also superintendent of the Sunday
school.
Christ's Episcopal Church of Sodus Point was organized May 3, 1851,
with B. C. Fitzhugh and William S. Malcolm, wardens, and William
Edwards, William P. Irwin, William Preston, William Robinson, Charles
B. Hallet, David Rogers, and Elida Petit. The certificate was acknowl-
edged before Hon. Thomas A. Johnson, of the Supreme Court, and re-
corded November 24, 1851. It united with the Sodus church in the
support of a clergyman. The parish has about twenty communicants
and a Sunday school of about twenty scholars. They have a neat frame
church edifice.
St. Luke's Episcopal Church of Sodus Center was established as a
mission about 18?5 and a small chapel erected on a lot donated by Eli-
sha Mather. The parish has about twenty communicants, and a Sunday
school with the same number of scholars.
The Free Congregational Church of Sodus was organized October 11,
1843, with thirty-four members. Rev. Samuel R. Ward, then of South
Butler, was moderator and Rev. David Slie was secretary. December
24, 1843, Levi Gaylord was chosen leader and Josiah Rice deacon.
Rev. Samuel Wire preached for the church regularly for two or three
years. This church never filed any certificate of incorporation. The
trustees were Kitchell Bell, Isaac Snow, and S. W. Hurlburt. Meetings
were held at the school-houss in the village, and the organization was
continued for eight or nine years.
The Free Methodist Church of Alton was first recognized as a part
of Rose circuit November 1, 1861 ; William Cooley was the first preacher
in charge; William Burns, class-leader for Alton, and also elected stew-
ard; other early members were C. T. Cuer, James Stevenson, and West-
'220 LANDMARKS OF
brook Case. A meeting' to effect a separate organization was held April
IS, L867, Rev. M. I). McDougall, chairman, E. D. Bradshaw, secre-
tary. The trustees were Aaron Winget, Walter Emery, and James
Stevenson. In 1868 the society erected a neat chapel at a cost of $1000,
and dedicated in that fall. The society has fifty-five members and a
Sunday school of eighty members; G. E. Burn is superintendent.
An organization representing the faith of the Adventists was effected
in Alton in ISO!) or 1880, by Elder Miles. Mr. Bowers and George
Shaver were deacons; William H. Steele, elder, and Taylor Steele,
clerk and treasurer. The society held services in the stone meeting-
house and the Bell school house.
A Protestant Methodist society was organized August 15, 1847, with
Lawrence Teall, Ira Drake, Isaac N. Clark, and James Lyle, trustees;
the certificate of incorporation was filed April 7, 1848. This society had
been preceded by another organization at Sodus Point in October, 1837,
of which the first trustees were John Segar, Henry Doviel, Chauncey
Phelps, Rufus Field, E. W. Bliton, and Seth Blanchard. This was
never incorporated. The first named organization was renewed in Al-
ton in 1809 with Philp Rankard as leader. Services were held there in
the stone meeting house.
The Christian Church of Alton was formed in the winter of 1842-43,
by Rev. Amasa Stanton and Rev. Mr. Mosher. George Gould was the
first clerk and John G. Kelly and John Baker were the first deacons.
Re^. Mr. Mosher preached for four years. The stone meeting house
belonging to this society was built about 1851. The society made a
legal organization June 23, 1851; the trustees were George Leighton,
William Walker, John G. Kelly, Frederick Utter, and William R. K.
Hone. The certificate was acknowledged before Nathaniel Kellogg,
and recorded September 24. Owing to some informality the organiza-
tion was renewed, and the certificate again recorded January 22, 1853,
and the Christian church near Joy having been organized in the mean
time the name of the Alton society was changed to the "Second Christ-
ian Church of Sodus."
A United Society of Believers in Christ's second appearing, popularly
known as Shakers, flourished several years at Nichols' Point, coming to
Sodus from New Lebanon about 1823. They purchased of Judge
Nichols 1,450 acres of land on which they erected large buildings.
About fifteen years later they removed, selling their property to Adams,
Duncan & Co., promotors of the Sodus canal, for $100 an acre. This
WAYNE COUNTY. 22!
firm sold it to a Fourierite association, but after a brief existence they
disbanded and it fell back into the possession of the canal men. The
society removed to the Genesee flats in Livingston county and estab-
lished themselves on land which they purchased at $00 an acre. Their
old meeting house is now occupied as a dwelling.
The First Christian Church of Sodus was organized in the Wallace
district, southwest of Joy, October 1, 1852. The first trustees were
Joseph Green, John W. Allen, Orville Carpenter and Adam Tinklepaugh.
The certificate was recorded February 5, 1853.
The society had religious services at the Wallace school-house for
several years, but the formal church organization has not been main-
tained.
The Free-Will Baptist society was organized April 0, 1843, with Sam-
uel Wire, Benjamin Chapman, John D. Robinson, David Phillips, and
Willard Parker, trustees. The certificate was recorded May 6. The
society built the meeting-house in the south part of the town, and under
the ministry of Rev. Samuel Wire had services regularly for several
years. However, finally the organization ceased to exist, and the edi-
fice was sold to the German Evangelical Association.
The German Evangelical Association, popularly known as "Al-
bright's," belongs to the Newark circuit, and the minister resides at
Newark.
CHAPTER XVII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN AND VILLAGE OF LYONS.
In the primitive division of Ontario county the town of Lyons, in-
cluding Arcadia, embraced the southeast corner of the old district of
Sodus. March 1, 1811, it was set off to form a separate township, and
on the 15th of February, 1825, Arcadia was created from its territory,
leaving Lyons with its present assessed area of 21,001 acres. It is
bounded on the east by Rose and Galen, on the south by Ontario county,
on the west by Arcadia, and on the north by Sodus. It comprises the
portion of the Gore lying between the old and new pre-emption lines
and the southwest corner of town 13, the east part of town 12, and the
northeast corner of town 11 of the Pultney estate.
222 LANDMARKS OP
The town was originally covered with dense forests, consisting of
beech, maple, hemlock, oak, ash, hickory, basswood, elm, etc., which
long gave employment to numerous saw mills. Ganargwa Creek flows
southeasterly from Arcadia to Lyons village, where it joins the Canan-
daigua outlet, the two forming the Clyde River, which runs thence
southeast into Galen. This junction was known in early days as the
"Forks," and beyond it boats could run only when freshets prevailed.
The river guided the first settlers not only to this town, but to Wayne
county, and this became the site of the pioneer habitations. These
streams afford excellent drainage and several good mill privileges.
The surface is undulating and broken into sand ridges. The soil is
a rich, sandy, and gravelly loam on the highlands and marl on the
creek bottoms. It is exceedingly fertile, and yields abundant crops of
grain, fruit, hay, peppermint, potatoes, vegetables, etc. It is a note-
worthy fact that in Lyons the great peppermint industry of Wayne
county had its origin, and with it the name of Hotchkiss is inseparably
connected. Its cultivation forms an important agricultural interest of
the town and a large area of adjacent territory, and affords to those
engaged in the business an immense revenue annually. There are a
number of mint stills that extract the oil from the fragrant herb, and
local dealers buy and ship it to distant markets. Besides these industries
the rearing of live stock is carried on to a considerable extent.
The first town meeting for the old district of Sodus was held at the
house of Evert Van Wickle, within the present limits of Lyons, on the
present Rogers farm, on April 2, 1799, and the officers elected on that
date are given in the Sodus chapter. The first meeting after the present
town was organized was held at the house or Thomas D. Gale on the
first Tuesday in April, 1811, and the following officers were chosen:
Gilbert Howell, supervisor; Gabriel Rogers, town clerk; Joseph Burnett,
Jacob Leach, Jesse Brown, assessors; John Tibbitts, collector; Samuel
Soverhill, William Patten, Jesse Brown, highway commissioners; Joseph
Burnett and Gabriel Rogers, overseers of the poor; John Tibbitts and
Thomas Sutton, constables; and thirty-one overseers of highways.
The town records are very incomplete and the names of the supervisors
from 1839 to 1855 inclusive can not be ascertained. Excepting that
period the following have held the principal town office:
Gilbert Howell, 1811, EzeJuel Price, 1815,
John Brown, 1812-13, Ezra Jewell, 1816,
Henry Hyde, 1814, Oren Aldrich, 1817-19,
WAYNE COUNTY. 223
Robert W. Ashley, L820, Bartlett R. Rogers, 1859-61,
Oreo Aldrich, 1821-22, Miles S. Leach, 1862-68,
Robert W. Ashley, L823. Nelson R. Miriek, 1869-74,
James P. Bartle, 1824, William Van Marter, is;;, ;;
Oliver Allen, 1825-26, George W. Cramer, 1878 79,
Robert W. Ashley, 1827-30, Bartlett R. Rogers, 1880;
Abel Lyon, 1831, Leman Hotchkiss, 1881-82.
Eli Johnson, 1832-33, M. H. Dillenbeck, 1883-85,
John W. Holley, 1834-37, R. A. Hubbard, 1886-88,
Nelson Peck, 1838, A. E. Burnett, 1889,
1839 to 1855, unknown, William P. Miriek, 1890,
Miles S. Leach, 1856, A. E. Burnett, 1891-93,
John Adams, 1857, G. W. Koester, 1894.
C. Rice, 1858,
The town officers for 1894 are: G. W. Koester, supervisor; John
Mills, town clerk; J. B. Haynes, collector; Louis Deuchler, L. L.
Dickerson, W. E. McCollum, C. D. Leach, justices of the peace; Ernst
Berns, Daniel Barton, George F. Fellows, assessors; Samuel Cronise
and Edward Claassen, overseers of the poor; F. H. Miller, highway
commissioner; William Bailey, John H. Young, Louis P. Engel, excise
commissioners.
The first settlers in Wayne county as well as the first in this town
came in by boats or bateaux on the Clyde River to the junction of
Ganargwa Creek and Canandaigua outlet, and there is now standing in
Lyons village a celebrated landmark in the form of an elm tree, to
which the pioneers fastened their craft. This venerable relic is appro-
priately preserved, and around it cluster many interesting events. The
earliest records of roads in Lyons were made in 1800, but the first
thoroughfare laid out was the "Geneva road " from the village to Sodus
Point in 1794, by Captain Charles Williamson, the cutting of which cost
him over $250. Within two years this was extended to Geneva at an
expense to Williamson of about $180, and subsequently for some-time
was maintained as a plank road, as was also the highway along the
valley. Other roads were opened as settlers came in, and improved
from time to time as necessity required. In 1811 the town was divided
into thirty-one road districts; in 1817 there were fifty-one, in 18:22 the
number was fifty-one, and in 1824 there were eighty; at present there
are forty-seven.
April 10, 1824, Eli Frisbie, Simeon Griswold, and James Dickson
were appointed a committee to built a bridge across Canandaigua out-
let (or Clyde River) at Lyons village "where the old bridge now stands,
224 LANDMARKS OF
or as near as possible," and the supervisor was authorized to raise by
tax $1,00(> for the purpose. March 26, L829, the supervisor was em-
powered to raise $2,000 to erect two bridges, one over the Clyde River
on the road leading from the village to Hecox's mills, and another
across Ganargwa Creek and Erie Canal. March 30, 1832, $700 were
appropriated for the construction of a bridge over the Canandaigua out-
let at Alloway. March 26, 1838, the supervisor was authorized to raise
$2,000, of which $1,000 was for the rebuilding of abridge across the
Ganargwa near its junction with the outlet, and the balance for the re-
construction of the bridge over Clyde River near Kingman & Durfee's
mill. These are the principal early bridges; subsequently all of them,
and others, were superseded by substantial iron structures.
In 1825 the Erie Canal was completed and opened through the town
and village, and the event was celebrated with appropriate ceremonies.
It imparted a new impetus to the pioneer settlement, and ever afterward
exerted a marked influence upon the development and commercial ad-
vancement of the community. Clyde River immediately lost its pres-
tige as a water route, and gave up its commerce to the "great ditch."
In 1841 the canal aqueduct was built over Ganargwa Creek under the
supervision of Zebulon Moore, who was afterward appointed superin-
tendent of the Wayne county section.
In 1853 the New York Central Railroad was opened with a station at
Lyons village, and again an important impetus was inaugurated. The
first passenger train passed over the route on May 30th of that year.
The present brick depot was built in 1890. May 17, 1872, the town is-
sued bonds to the amount of $135,000, and on Feburary 18, 1874, another
lot amounting to $15,000, in aid of the Sodus Bay and Corning Railroad,
and up to January 1, 1804, all had been paid and canceled except $17,-
ooo. This is now the Fall Brook Railway, and was built only as far as
Lyons. The railroad commissioner is D. S. Chamberlain. The West
Shore (originally the New York, West Shore and Buffalo) Railroad was
constructed and formally opened through the town January 1, 1885.
The first settlers in Lyons and the first in Wayne county were Nich-
olas and William Stansell, brothers, and John Featherly, their brother-
in-law, with their families, numbering in all twelve persons. In the
spring of L789 they built and launched a boat on the Mohawk River, and
with an Indian trader named Wemple as a pilot the party came the en-
tire distance by water, arriving at the junction of Ganargwa Creek and
Canandaigua outlet, the head of navigation and the site of Lyons vil-
WAYNE COUNTY. 225
lage, in May, 1780. They settled on what is now the Dunn farm, and
their first log house stood on the site of the present residence. They
brought with them a number of swine, which were allowed to roam the
forests and, becoming wild, were hunted as other game. Mr. Stansell,
ptre, evidently comprised one of the party, for he died soon after their
arrival and "was buried without funeral rites," which was doubtless
the first white death in town. Nicholas Stansell is said to have been
their leader. He was born in Springfield, Mass., September 11, 1755,
and while a youth moved with his parents to the Mohawk valley. He
was a noted hunter and atypical pioneer, being endowed by nature with
a wonderful physique. Uniting their forces with three or four men
who had settled in Phelps, Ontario county, a few months previously,
they cut a road through the forests to the grist-mill at Waterloo. Nich-
olas Stansell was very prominent in the early settlement, and was one
of the first trustees of the M. E. Church. He had ten children, and
died December 11, 1819; his remains were interred in the Newark cem-
etery. John Featherly sold his farm to Daniel B. Westfall and moved
to Rose, where he died in 1843, aged eighty years. Daniel Cole died
August 25, 1855.
From 1789 to 1794 there is no account of other settlers coming into
this town, but in the latter year Capt. Charles Williamson, through his
local agents, Charles Cameron and Henry Towar, began improvements
at Lyons village and Alloway respectively, and it is said that he ex-
pended a total of about $12,000 in the two places. Daniel Scholl was
his millwright at Alloway, where a good grist-mill was built.
In 1796 James Otto came to Lyons from Pennsylvania and assisted
in building the mill and a warehouse at Alloway; the latter was finally
moved to Lyons and became a Presbyterian church and afterward a
cabinet shop. In 1798 Mr. Otto married a daughter of Capt. Samuel
Dunn, which was the first marriage in town. They had sixteen chil-
dren, of whom Samuel was murdered in Rose. He settled on a farm
three miles southeast of Lyons village, .which he sold after attaining the
age of eighty, and removed to Michigan.
In 1797 Rev. John Cole, a native of England and a local Methodist
preacher, came to Lyons, and was joined in 1799 by his sons Thomas
and Joseph, a daughter Mary, and a son-in-law, Samuel Bennett. Mr. •
Cole was the first preacher in the town. He bought 2G3 acres at $5 per
acre, which was the first individual purchase in Wayne county east of
Lyons village. He had a large library, was a great student, and died
29
226 LANDMARKS OF
herein L808. His daughter married Rev. William Ninde, an Episcopal
clergyman, and after his death took up her residence nere with four
sons and two daughters, one of whom was Thomas, who married a
daughter of Evert Van Wickle. Joseph Cole moved to Galen in 1837
and his son Samuel J. inherited the homestead. The latter died in
April, 1883.
George Carr settled on a farm of twenty-five acres now within the
village limits in 1798. He came from Maryland, was a stone mason,
and died January 30, 1841. Adam Learn moved here from Pennsyl-
vania as early as 1800. He was a brother-in-law to James Otto. His
eldest son John located in Galen on lot 42 and died in 1864.
Amos Gilbert was born in 1757, served in the Revolutionary war,
came to Lyons with his family in October, 1800, and died in Sodus in
1832. He was a carpenter, and had four daughters and six sons, of
whom John, David, and Solomon served in the war of 1812. Solomon
died in the service. Deacon John Gilbert, the eldest son, was born in
Salem, Mass., December 30, 1789. He settled in the village in 1810
and died there July 22, 1882. He was a sergeant in Captain Hull's
company on the Niagara f router, became captain of militia, was an elder
in the Presbyterian Church from 1817 until his death, and served as <
constable and collector from 1819 to 1829.
Gabriel Rogers started a tannery at an early date in Palmyra, where
he married in 1804 a daughter of Samuel Clark, and whence he moved
in 1809 to Lyons. He purchased the tannery of William Bond, which
he sold in 1817, and in 1818 removed to South Sodus, where he was ap-
pointed the first postmaster. He served in the cavalry in the war of
1812, and died in 1847. Hon. Bartlett R. Rogers was long a very
prominent citizen of Lyons. He was a captain in the 106th Regiment
in the Civil War, supervisor several years, county treasurer, sheriff, and
member of Assembly. He died in June, 1880.
Major Ezekiel Price was born in New Jersey and obtained his title in
the vState militia. He came to Lyons in 1802, was appointed the first
postmaster and held the office nearly thirty years, and died in 1845,
aged eighty years. He was one of the earliest landlords, and built and
kept a frame tavern where Congress Hall now stands, prior to which he
had an inn on the east side of Broad street. His son, Ephraim Barton
Price, was a prominent citizen, had twelve children, and died in
January, 1885. His second son, William H. Price, became a civil
engineer, and died in 1870.
WAYNE COUNTY. -j;
Jacob Leach came to Lyons from Litchfield, Conn., in L809, and
operated a distillery on the north side of Ganargwa Creek until the site
was wanted for the Erie Canal in 1824. He then became a merchant
with Joseph M. Demmon on Water street. He was a canal contractor,
and erected a mill on the Ganargwa that was burned and rebuilt in
1 837. He was a justice of the peace several years, member of Assembly
in 1823, and at one time president of the old Lyons Bank with Thaddeus
W. Patchen as cashier. He had ten children, and died in 1853, aged
seventy-five years.
Judge Daniel Dorsey commanded a company of volunteers in the
Revolutionary war, and was a planter in Frederick county, Md. In
1797 he visited this section, and purchased of Captain Williamson 1,048
acres of land adjoining the village on the south. The next year he
moved hither his large family and about forty slaves, and with some
goods which they had bought he began trading with the Indians, who
camped in large numbers in the vicinity. His mansion stood upon an
eminence at the end of a lane leading west from the Geneva road, and
on both sides of this lane were the slaves' houses, a store, and an office.
Mr. Dorsey was a magistrate, a physician, a member of Assembly,
judge of the Ontario County Court, and a Methodist, and in his barn
was held the first meeting of the Genesee Conference in this place, the
presiding officer being Rev. Francis Asbury, the first Methodist bishop
in America. Judge Dorsey died in 1823, aged sixty-five years, and his
widow moved to the village, built a house on Broad street, and died
there. They had five sons — Upton, Thomas E., Nelson, Andrew, and
Caleb — and seven daughters. Thomas E. Dorsey died December 27,
1870, aged seventy-eight years.
The tax or assessment roll dated October 9, 1802, for the "Town of
Sodus," contains eighty-four names of freeholders, enumerates sixty-
nine dwelling houses, places the total valuation at $174,312, and calls
for a tax levy of $327.29. The items falling within the present town
are as follows: William Beaty, 141 acres, assessed (37 cents. George
Carr, 25 acres (first farm north of the village), 35 cents. Richard Ely,
223 acres, $1.04 (Mr. Ely sold out and moved to Sodus about 1812).
William Bryant, 109 acres, 46 cents. Samuel Brown, 80 acres, 31 cents.
Judge Daniel Dorsey, 1,048 acres (between Clyde River and Alloway),
$9.53. David Gilson (a river boatman), one house and seven village
lots, 28 cents. William Gibbs, one house (the tavern stand, afterward
the "Old Museum ") and seven village lots, 36 cents. Richard Jones,
228 LANDMARKS OF
188 acres, 87 cents. Samuel Mummy, one house and four acres, 82
cents. John Perrine, 553 acres, $4.44. James Walters, 60 acres, 40
cents. William Paton, 101 acres, 54 cents. John'Riggs, two houses
and 299 acres, $1.77. John Van Wickle, 224 acres, $1.03. Evert Van
Wickle, house and lot, 39 cents. Thomas Cole (son of Rev. Cole), 50
acres, 31 cents.
Among those living in Lyons village and vicinity in 1808 were:
Captain David Gilson, Major Ezekiel Price, Dr. William Ambler (the
first physician), John Riggs. Richard Jones (saddler and harness maker),
William Bond, (shoemaker and tanner), Joseph Hathaway (proprietor
of "The Lick" tavern), Samuel Mummy, George Carr, Henry Beard,
Captain John Perrine, Thomas Story, William Duncan, the Stanton
brothers, Rev. John Cole and sons, Samuel Bennett, Peter AValker,
James Coats, a Mr. Wales, Judge Daniel Dorsey, Benjamin Brink,
James Walters, Henry Stansell, John Featherly, Richard Ely, Major
Amos Stout, Benjamin Hartman, John Van Wickle, Elisha Sylvester,
Captain William Paton, and Simon Van Wickle.
Samuel King settled on 300 acres northeast of the village in 1805.
He was the father of Samuel, jr., Esau, Thomas, Jesse, Joseph, and
Leander King. Benjamin Brink bought sixty acres of William Gibbs,
which he sold to Levi Geer in 1825, and moved to Galen, where he died.
Daniel B. Westfall came to Lyons about 1810, and purchased 117 acres
of John Featherly, and forty-seven of Matthias Clark, near Alloway,
where he lived until his death. He had four sons and two daughters,
the former being Benjamin, Abraham, James, and Cornelius; the latter
inherited the homestead. Simon Westfall settled three miles south of
Lyons, and died there. He had eleven children, of whom the sons were
Jacob, Lewis, William, and John.
William and Benjamin Ennis, brothers, migrated hither from New
Jersey in 1806. The former died about 1822 ; his son Robert was a canal
contractor, and in 1 847 purchased the homestead and saw-mill of Capt.
Henry Towar at Alloway, and died in 1860. Benjamin Ennis went to
Ohio in L832 and died there. George Ennis was a prominent farmer
neai- Alloway and a president of the Wayne Count)- Agricultural Society.
He died in December, 1883.
Thomas D. Gale, brother-in-law of Judge Sisson, came to Lyons in
ISO1.) and bought of Joseph Hathaway the tavern on the west side of
Broad street that was subsequently known as the "Old Museum." Be-
sides this he had a store and asheiw and butchered cattle for the Cana-
WAYNE COUNTY. 029
clian market. At his house the first town meeting was held in April, 1811.
There was a militia company in Lyons, attached to the list Regi-
ment, as early as 1808, the officers of which were William Paton, cap-
tain; Peter Perrine, lieutenant; and James Bound, ensign. Elias Hull
was colonel, and his hotel was a favorite rendezvous.
John Barrick came from Maryland about 1805 and died in 185 1 . John
Close settled herein 1810, but removed to Lock Berlin about 1830 and
died the next year. Samuel Minkler, a tanner, located in Lyons in
1808. Peter Eisenlord was a resident of the town as early as 1806; he
finally sold his farm and moved to Michigan. Jeremiah Brown came to
Lyons prior to 1808. He was a cooper, had a distillery, and also went
to Michigan. Jonathan Clark, sr. , removed hither from New Jersey
about 1810. He had four sons, two of whom were David and Abraham.
William Paton was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, came to America in
L794, when twenty-four years of age, and settled in 1800, where he died
in 1843. He was an ardent admirer of Robert Burns. Henry Beard,
a pioneer from Pennsylvania, was both a pettifogger and jockey.
John Perrine came here from New Jersey. He built the first dam
across the Canandaigua outlet, erected the first saw mill in town a mile
south of the village, and was one of the founders of the Presbyterian
Church, whose services he often conducted in the absence of a minister.
With John Van Wickle, William Paton and others, he obtained from
the land office in 1806 a grant of land long known as the Parsonage
farm, which was designed as a permanent endowment of the church.
He organized a Sunday school in 1818, and owned with Paton and Van
Wickle a number of village lots on Queen street between William and
Broad. He was a justice of the peace and supervisor, and prominent
in all local affairs. He finally moved to Michigan and died in 1836.
His sons were Henry, William, Ira, and David W. The latter was a
lieutenant in the war of 1812 and succeeded to the paternal homestead.
Dr. Robert W. Ashley, a native of Massachusetts, came to Lyons in
1804 and afterward began housekeeping in Samuel Mummy's old house
on the east side of Broad street. He was long a practicing physician,
supervisor in 1827-30, candidate for the Assembly in 1830, and died in
1853. He was the father of Samuel J., Robert, and William F. Ashley
and Mrs. H. G. Hotchkiss.
Milton Barney was born in Massachusetts in 1796. In 1818 he trans-
ported a wool-carding and cloth-dressing machine to "Arms Cross
Roads" (now Wallington in Sodus), which he sold to Elisha Bushnell
230 LANDMARKS OF
and in 1810 came to Lyons. He carried on Iris trade here, bought a
saw mill of Judge Dorsey, erected a new dam across the outlet and built
a wool-carding- and cloth-dressing mill, and in 1825 with Samuel Wilcox
and William E. Perrine put up a flouring- mill on the present site of the
Shuler mill in the village. Afterward he purchased the grist mill of
Jacob Leach and added a clothier's shop, but finally resold the establish-
ment to Leach and went West.
Stephen H. and John Hartman settled two miles southwest of Lyons
village in 1816. The former died in 1872. Dr. Joseph Varnum came
here in 1817, and died in 1822, being buried with Masonic honors. Levi
Geer removed to Lyons the same year and first purchased of Abraham
Clark the original Stansell farm for $7,000. He had eight children and
died December 15, 185:], aged seventy-eight years. Cyrus Avery, a
Montezuma turnpike contractor, settled in this town with $1,500 in cash.
He was a typical Connecticut Yankee, and died in January, 1868, aged
eighty-four vears. He secured his deed from the Pultney estate, and
was succeeded on the homestead by his son, A G. Avery.
Joseph M. Demmon was born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., October
30, 1790, came to Phelps with his parents in 1801, and removed thence
to Lyons in 1813, where he died in March, 1886. He brought the first
stock of goods to this village, and besides being a merchant was also a
tavern keeper, a liveryman, and a contractor. He was the first town
clerk, and except four years held either the office of overseer of the
poor, town clerk, or village treasurer until his death. He was a highly
respected citizen.
Michael Vanderbilt, from New Jersey, settled in Lyons in 1812, and
died March 16, 1874*aged eighty-eight years. Josiah Wright, a brother-
in-law of Joseph Farwell, removed to the village about 1811 and built
a tavern in Joppa. About 1828 he exchanged this for the Lyons Hotel
(later the Graham House), and finally died in Buffalo. William Patrick
purchased of David W. Perrine a farm north of Lyons village about
L816. A carpenter by trade he was master workman during the con-
struction of the long bridge across Seneca River on the Montezuma
turnpike. He was the father of Frank, William, and Pierce Patrick.
Robert Holmes, sr., settled in Lyons in 1818, made brick and potash,
and died in 1848. His sons were: John, Gilman, Abram, William F.,
and Robert, jr. The latter was born in L803, and died in February,
1881.
Ziba Lane, born in Bedford, Mass., in 1756, removed with his wife to
WAYNE COUNTY. 231
Maine, and came thence to Lyons in 1814. He located on lot so, built
a log- cabin and afterwards a commodious residence, accumulated a hand-
some property, and died at a good old age. His son Levi was born in
Amherst, Mass., in 1806.
Newell Taf't and Farnum White removed to Lyons in 1816 and en-
gaged in manufacturing chairs; afterward the partnership was dissolved
and White continued the business alone. Mr. Taft became a contractor
and builder, and with Henry Seymour began casting plows, making the
first of the kind in town. Taft later built a foundry which he sold in
1866 to Wickson & Van Wickle. The establishment was burned in
1869, and rebuilt. Mr. Taft had twelve children. He was a prominent
member of the Presbyterian church from 1822 until his death, Decem-
ber 8, 1874, aged nearly eighty-one years.
Philip Dorscheimer was the first miller in Lyons village. He after-
ward kept the old Wayne County Hotel and then the Lyons Hotel, and
finally moved to Buffalo. He was a respected citizen, and through his
influence a large number of sturdy Germans were induced to settle in
the town. Elijah P. Taylor, born in Massachusetts in 1805, came to
Lyons in 1822, and after completing his trade carried on the tanning
business till 1838, when he removed to Sodus and engaged in dealing
in boots and shoes. Returning to Lyons in 1850 he again became a
tanner. Columbus Croul became a blacksmith in the village in 1821.
He was an elder in the Presbyterian church from 1841 until his death
in April, 1881. Jonas Parker, a cooper, came to Lyons about 1820. He
was at one time keeper of the county poorhouse, and eventually re-
moved to Indiana. Oliver Penoyer, born in Columbia county, N. Y. ,
in 1806, settled in this town in 1837, and died in March, 1881. Thompson
Harrington, a settler of 1826, was a partner or proprietor of the Lyons
pottery until his death in October, 1874. James Pollock came here
early and died November 18, 1872, aged eight}T-two years. James
McElwain, a wagonmaker and captain in the State militia, was a resident
of Lyons from 1827 until his death in December, 1868. Ephraim Jeff er-
son Whitney came here on foot from Ontario county in 1822 to learn the
printer's trade in the office of the Lyons Advertiser. He also had a
book store, and died in 1856. Robert and John Stanton. Englishmen,
early settled on the hill that took their name; they subsequently moved
to Geneva.
Hon. Van Rensselaer Richmond, born in Preston, N. Y., in 1812,
became resident canal engineer at Lyons in 1837. In 1842 he had charge
232 LANDMARKS OF
of the middle division, a position he resigned in 1848. He was a mem-
ber of the canal board, and in 1850 was made division engineer of the
Syracuse and Rochester direct railroad. In lSo'i he became engineer
of the middle division of the Erie Canal, and in 1857, 1859, L867, and
1869 was elected State engineer and surveyor. He settled permanently
in Lyons in 1852 and died in November, 1883.
Calvin U. Palmeter, a native of Berkshire, Mass , came to Sodus in
1816, whence he removed to Lyons about 1821. He was a tanner and
currier, and was engaged in that business with Cyrus Hecox. He was
constable, deputy sheriff , and in 1831 sheriff of Wayne county. He was
also a keeper of the county poorhouse, and a Democrat and Presby-
terian. His sons were Edwin, Ira F., Frank S., and Calvin S. David
Gilson was an early cooper in Lyons village, and ran a Durham boat on
the Clyde river, being engaged in the salt trade. Jonathan Colborn
settled very early on a farm one-half mile northeast of Alloway, and
moved thence to Rose. Edward S., Matthew A., Augustus, and John
Stewart came to Wayne county as pioneers; Edward S. was a lawyer
in Lyons village, and the others located in Galen. William McGown
was for twenty-four years a magistrate, and died at Alloway in January,
1885. Coll Roy, a Scotchman and the father of James Roy, settled
south of Lyons and kept a hotel several years.
Thomas Bradley became a distiller with Capt. Henry Towar at Allo-
way. About 1820 he removed to a farm and died in 1835. In 1812
Beri Foote came to Lyons from Massachusetts, but soon located in the
northeast corner of Galen.
Samuel Hecox came here in 1817, and was a merchant and county
treasurer. Eli Hecox, his brother, was a carpenter and soldier in the
war of 1812, and located in Lyons in 1831. Another brother, Cyrus,
was a prominent merchant and tanner in the village. Cullen Foster
was a political! in his younger days, held several town offices, and was
both county sheriff and clerk. He died March 29, 1870. Smith A.
Dewey, born in Whitestown, N. Y., December 7, 1814, came to Lyons
in is:;1.), engaged in business as a merchant, and upon the death of John
Adams in 1862 was appointed county treasurer, to which office he was
elected in 1865 and again in 1868. He was highly esteemed, and died
in November, 1S75.
William Wallace Sandford, who came to Lyons in lsiiii, was first a
merchant and later proprietor of the Wayne Count}- Hotel. He was
supervisor in is.'):;, and died in April, L883. John Sparks, a farmer,
WAYNE COUNTY. 233
settled in this town in 1836 and died in June, L883. Stephen Marshall,
born in Connecticut in L807, removed to Lyons in L832. % He was a shoe-
maker and a lumberman, and was appointed one of three commissioners
to build the present court house. He died in April, L883. Nelson R.
Mirick was born in Rose in L831 and died here in March, 1886. He was
a miller and maltster, and served as supervisor several years. Dr. Hugh
Jameson, long- a practicing dentist in the village, was born here in L835
and died January 4, 1890.
Prominent among other early settlers of the village and town may be
mentioned E. G. Thurston, long a successful merchant, who died No-
vember 8, 1857; John Evenden, a native of Kent, Eng. , who died in
February, 1863; John Knowles, sr. , whose death occurred here No-
vember 10, 1864; Daniel Ford, who died May 2, 1861, and was buried
with Masonic honors; David June, who died April 6, 1861; George Al-
exander who died about 1820; John Layton, the father of Daniel W.,
who died in Feburary, 1885; George W. Cramer, merchant, who died
in May, 1882 ; Thomas Cotter, a tailor noted for his miserly habits ; who
died in March, 1886: John Riley (son of Rev. Lawrence Riley), wdio
died March 1, 1887; George M. Hatter, a prominent merchant here af-
ter 1851, who died in Januar}^, 1888; and Andrew Failing, Hugh Brown
and John Paton.
James Dunn purchased 418 acres of the Dorsey farm in 1834, and died
here in May, 1850. Alfred Hale settled at Alloway in 1823, and began
growing peppermint in 1832. In 1854 he built a small mint still, after
which he erected five or six others. In 1862 he formed a partnership
with a Mr. Parshall for the manufacture of essential oils in Lyons vil-
lage, and the firm built up an enormous business. In 1827 Mr. Hale
married a daughter of Levi Geer and has had three daughters and a son
(Alfred S. )
Hiram G. Hotchkiss, the founder of the great peppermint industry of
Wayne county, was born in Oneida county, N. Y. , June 10, 1810, and
moved to Phelps with his parents about 1817. His father, Leman, was
a merchant, and the son began life in the same business. He became
a miller, and in 1837 began buying peppermint from the farmers. In
1841 he removed to Lyons and devoted his entire attention to the
business. He married a daughter of Dr. Ashley and had twelve chil-
dren, of whom Lemon, Calvin, and Hiram G., jr., succeeded to the
business founded in Lyons by their father.
Dr. E. Ware Sylvester, born in Cazenovia, N. Y., in 1814, graduated
30
234 LANDMARKS OF
at Union College in 1836, and at Auburn Theological Seminar}- in 1840,
and after studying- dentistry practiced in Lyons and elsewhere for
twenty years. He finally abandoned his profession and established the
Lyons nurseries.
The first grist mill in the town was built at Alloway about 1794 by
Henry Towar, agent for Captain Charles Williamson. John Featherly
was the miller here, and when the structure was burned in 1804 'Sir.
Towar rebuilt it on the same site. Subsecpient owners were George
Ennis, Lawrence Riley, and Isaac Roy. The next grist mill was the
one erected by Jacob Leach, one mile south of Lyons. In 1825 Samuel
Hecox, Milton Barney, and William E. Perrine built a large mill in
Lyons village on the site of the Shuler flouring mill and cut a raceway
to it from Canandaigua outlet. It had four runs of stone, and the first
miller was Philip Dorscheimer. The mill was burned about 1870 and
the present one erected. In L823 Henry Towar built a flouring mill
four miles west of the village. It passed to William Young, and lacking
a sufficient water supply was taken down and the frame brought to
Lyons. The Leach mill on the outlet was finally burned and rebuilt by
Mr. Towar, and passed into the hands of Shuler Brothers.
The first saw mill was built by John Perrine in 1880. It stood one
mile south of the village, on the west side of Canandaigua outlet, and
after running several )Tears was dismantled. Simeon Van Wickle had
another early mill three miles northwest of Lyons village, but both mill
and stream have long since passed away. Judge Dorsey built a saw
mill near the Shuler flouring mill, which in 1825 was removed to a better
water power. Henry Towar erected several saw mills in various parts
of the town.
About 1810 Gabriel Rogers erected in Lyons village a tannery, which
he operated for twenty years. Samuel Minkler built a second one on
Water street, and Cyrus Hecox a third. The latter was purchased by
the Rogers brothers. Among other tanners here were Colonel Bartlett
R. Rogers, Henry Teachout, and E. P. Taylor.
Numerous distilleries existed in the town at an early day, notably
that of Jacob Leach, which was built in 1810 at the junction of the out-
let with Ganargwa Creek. Joseph Farwell had another on the site of
the old warehouse in Lyons village.
Henry Towar and Thomas Beals erected a clothicry at Alloway on
the west side of the outlet at an early day, and Milton Barney and Judge
Dorsey had another in Lyons village. Mr. Barney did an extensive
WAYNE COUNTY. 335
business in this line for man}7 years. He married a daughter of Judge
Dorsey. The first ashery started in Lyons was operated by a Mr.
Hessinger west of the Lutheran church. Others were conducted by
Joseph Farwell and Robert Holmes.
In 1822 William Clark & Company built a pottery in Lyons village
that was managed by T. Harrington. It passed to Thompson & Har-
rington and later to J. Fisher & Company.
In 1858 the town had 15,917 acres improved land, real estate valued
at $1,355,531, personal property at $313,050; there were 2,(304 male and
2,601 female inhabitants, 874 dwellings, (376 freeholders, 978 families,
13 school districts, 1,849 school children, 1,320 horses, 1,610 cows, 7,722
sheep, and 2,406 swine. There were produced 27,357 bushels winter
and 134,753 bushels spring wheat, 3,430 tons hay, 17,473 bushels pota-
toes, 51,526 bushels apples, 89,472 pounds butter, 4,128 pounds cheese,
and 660 yards domestic cloths.
In 1890 the town had a population of 6,228, or 466 less than in 1880.
Statistics of 1893: Assessed value of land, $882,107 (equalized $1,054,-
381); village and mill property, $1,221,600 (equalized $1,204,192); rail-
roads and telegraphs, equalized, $430,209; personal property, $301,750.
Schedule of taxes, 1893: Contingent fund, $6,152.53; town poor fund,
$2,200; roads and bridges, $250; special town tax, $3,107; school tax,
$2,741.61; county tax, $6,559.61; State tax, $3,614.70; State insane tax,
$932,52; dog tax, $111.50. Total tax levy, $27,071.06; rate per cent.,
.00982474. The town has five election districts and in 1893 polled 1,175
votes.
During the war of the Rebellion the town of Lyons contributed large
numbers of her brave citizens for the Union Army and gave liberally
of both money and supplies to aid the soldiers and ameliorate their
condition at the front. Being the shire town of Wayne county many of
the more important events that transpired during that long struggle
occurred within these borders, and all are properly detailed in a preced-
ing chapter.
The first school house in Lyons village and probably the first in town
was a primitive structure that stood on the hill on the west side of
Butternut street, at the head of Queen. It was there as early as 1804
or 1805, but was burned soon afterward. In June, 1813, the town was
divided into twelve school districts; J. W. Gillispie and John Brown
were school commissioners. Another school house was built of logs on
the northeast corner of the Presbyterian church lot, and a third school
236 LANDMARKS OF
was kept in the old Glover house in L808-9, while a fourth was held in
an old building where the German church now stands. Still another
was situated on Church street, and was purchased by the Catholics for
a house of worship. Among the earlier teachers in the various schools
wore: Thomas Rogers, Capt. James Hill, Mr. Fuller, Andrew Hull,
Mr. Trowbridge, Mr. Starr, and Rev. Jeremiah Flint. At Alloway
schools were opened at an early day, and two of the first teachers were
Rev. Mr. Flint and Abner Brown. In L852 a large brick school house
was erected and the first teachers therein were Professor Ballon and
Miss Julia Dorsey. In L833 Miss Clarissa Thurston opened a "School
for Young Ladies" on Geneva street, nearly opposite the old Joppa
House. She finally discontinued it and went to Geneva.
March -.".), L837, the Lyons Academy was incorporated, and was
merged into the present school on September 23, L843,by the organiza-
tion of Union school district No. G. At the meeting held on that day
Jacob Leach was chosen moderator; John M. Holley, Eli Johnson, and
Jabez Green, trustees; and Daniel Chapman, clerk. In 1S44 the Ver-
non lot was purchased and a brick building, containing seven rooms,
was' erected at a total cost of over $10,000. There were four grades of
study, and the first term, which opened the new structure on May 4,
LS45, was attended by 519 pupils. The first teachers were Nathan Brit-
tan, A. M., principal; E. B. Elliott, A. B., Mr. DeliaRogers, M. C. G.
Nichols, Miss Hermans, Mrs. L. G. Blount, Miss E. H. Allen, Mrs.
E. W. Redgrave, Miss Cornelia Ilaight, Levi S. Fulton, William C.
Wright, and M. M. Rodgers, M. D. July 6, 1847, it was decided to
purchase the Newell Taft lot adjoining and erect an addition, and $5,000
were voted for the purpose. The new building contained, besidesother
rooms, a laboratory, a geological cabinet, and a chapel, and the whole,
including furnishings, etc., cost about about $14,000. In 1855 the school
house was repaired at an expense of $2,000, and the school was placed
1>y legislation under the regulations governing incorporated academies.
December 7, L855, a project was considered to make the school free,
but resulted adversely, and on December 19th a committee was ap-
pointed to procure a law changing the hoard of trustees to a board of
education and authorize graduate tuition. The law was passed and took
effect in May, L856. The new board consisted of Saxon B. Gavitt, J. T.
Mackenzie, Morton Brownson, Lyman Sherwood, Zebulon Moore, C.
Rice, George W. Cramer, A. I). Polhamus, and William 11. Sisson. In
1 sc,o the number was reduced to three, and another grade was established.
WAYNE COUNTY. •_>:•,;
In December, 1862, a free school system was adopted and legislation
secured for the purpose. In L865 a German department was added with
Jacob T. Eitelman as teacher.
July 25, 1889, the citizens voted in favor of building a new school
house, and on October 10th ground was formally broken and the corner
stone laid by William Kreutzer, president of the board, for the present
handsome and commodious brick and stone structure. Joseph Blab}-
was the architect and the contract was let to William C. Long for $ II,
500, the heating and ventilating to cost $5,500 more. The new building
was opened November 21, 1890. The principals of the old school, with
the dates of their service, were as follows.
Nathan Brittan, May, 1845, to February, 1840; John T. Clark, Feb-
urary, 1849, to July, 1851 ; Rev. Win. A. Benedict, August, 1851, to July,
1854; Francis B. Snow, August, 1854, to July, 1858; Howard M. vSmith,
August, 1858, to July, 1800; William Kreutzer, August, I860, to No-
vember, 1801; James C. Benschotten, November, 1861, to July, 1862;
Cicero M. Hutchins, September, 1802, to July, I860; Alexander D. Adams,
September, 1866, to April, 1871; Edward A. Kingsley, April, 1871, to
July, 1873; Timothy A. Roberts, September, 1873, to April, 1870; Rev.
Wndiam H. Lord, July, 1870, to July, 1877; J. B. Fraser, September,
1877, to April, 1878; J. H. Clark, July, 1878, to July, 1887; William
G. White, July, 1887, to August, 1888; W. H. Kinney, August, 1888.
The Lyons Union school was one of the first of the kind established in
this State. It has always maintained a foremost position among simi-
lar institutions.
In December, 1853, the Lyons Musical Academy was started by Rev.
L. H. vSherwood and for many years was a prominent feature of the
village. It gained a wide and respectable reputation and offered rare
advantages to those desiring a musical education. Rev. Mr. Sherwood's
successor was O. H. Adams. Both were eminent teachers and thorough
scholars. Its popularity waned, however, and the institution was dis-
continued a few years ago. Its last home on Queen street was built
during the winter of 1881-2, and first occupied in April, 1882.
The town now has thirteen school districts with a building in each.
In 1892-3 these were attended by 1,348 scholars and taught by thirty-
two teachers. The value of school houses and sites is $72,575 ; assessed
valuation of the districts, $2,751,300; public money received from the
State in 1802-3, $4,986.49; raised by local tax, $14,253.63.
238 LANDMARKS OP
Lyons Village. — The capital of any county naturally takes precedence
over all other villages, and Lyons is no exception to the rule. In this
case we have not only the county seat to notice, but a place rich in his-
tory, interesting in growth and development, replete in commercial,
social, and manufacturing' importance, attractive in location, and the
very oldest in settlement. The improvements inaugurated by Capt.
Charles Williamson, through his agent, Charles Cameron, and many of
the earlier industries have already been noted in this chapter. William-
son bestowed upon the place the name of Lyons, and caused a village to
be surveyed in acre lots and a warehouse, distiller}-, dwelling, and barn
to be built — all in 1704 or 1795. This dwelling was the first frame
building erected in the town. It was also used as a storehouse and was
finally purchased by the Presbyterians, removed to lot No. 1, and oc-
cupied for both religious and school purposes. In it, on October 23,
L809, the Presbyterian Society was organized; in May, 1823, the first
court in Wayne county convened ; and the first meeting of the Wayne
County Medical Society was held here after its formation. In 18\'."> it
was sold to Francis Glover, who removed it to the north side of Jackson
street, west of the furnace, and occupied it for a dwelling. From him
it derived the name of Glover house.
The first tavern was that of John Riggs in 1800. William Gibbs had
another soon afterward. The latter was a log structure, and to it James
Otto subsequently put up a frame addition. Gibbs was succeeded as
landlord by Joseph Hathaway, and then came T. D. Gale, Colonel Elias
Hull, and Judge Camp, who discontinued it as a hotel. Hull wras a
colonel in the State militia, commanding the 71st Regiment, and the
tavern became a favorite rendezvous. It was long known as the "Old
Museum." The second tavern was the dwelling of William Nelson on
the corner of Broad and Water streets. Major Ezekiel Price added a
frame to it in 180G, and built a barn a few rods east. In 1810 he erected
a frame hostelry on the site of Congress Hall, and the old stand again
became a dwelling. In 1819 Price's tavern was conducted by his son,
David C, who died in 1824, when it was leased to Evan, Griffiths &
Needham. E. B. Price later became landlord and changed the name to
the Wayne County Hotel. He was succeeded by Mr. Sprague, and the
latter by Philip Dorscheimer. About 1 SOS the old building was torn
down and the present Congress Hall erected on the site.
In 1821 the Joppa Land Company, consisting of Myron Holley, Gen.
William H. 'Adams, and Augustine H. Lawrence, purchased the John
WAYNE COUNTY. 239
Riggs farm of about 300 acres in the eastern part of the village, and had
the tract surveyed into building lots by David H. Vance. They creeled
a two story frame tavern on the corner of William and Montezuma
streets, and the first landlord was Major Woolsey, whose successors were
Messrs. vSatterlee, Joseph Judson, Josiah Wright, Philip Dorscheimer,
and Jarvis Landon. The latter added a third story. In 1854 Henry
Graham became proprietor and gave it the name of Graham House.
In 1817 Samuel Minkler built on the site of the Hotel Baltzel a dwelling
house which he sold about 1825 to George Benton, who converted it
into a tavern and continued as landlord until 1854:, when is was pur-
chased by Cogswell & Boice. In 1858 Louis Studer became poprietorr
and leased it to a Mr. Payne, and in 1868 sold the property to Archibald
Walrath. With the Lutheran church it was burned April 20, 1885. For
many years it was known as the Exchange Hotel, and on its site the pres-
ent brick Hotel Baltzel was erected in 1888 and opened in April, 1889.
Lyons, in 1808. contained two taverns, a store, a school house, a
tailor, saddler, shoemaker, and blacksmith, and religion had made a be-
ginning in the hands of two societies. Prior to 1811 the survey of
Lyons was into acre lots, and its bounds were comprised as follows:
south lay the Clyde River, east was William street, west was Butternut
street, and northward the streets met at an angle. Broad street, run-
ning north and south, was the principal street. Cross streets were laid
out and bore the names of Water, Pearl, Church, and Queen. In 1811
Evert Van Wickle allotted the village into building lots.
The first merchants in Lyons village were Judge Daniel Dorsey and
Major Ezekiel Price. Jacob Leach built and opened a store on Water
street in 1812, and had for a clerk and then a partner Joseph M.
Demmon. Stephen M. Palmer started a store on the corner of Church
and Broad streets in 1816, and the next year was succeeded by Cyrus
Hecox, who located on the corner of Broad and Water streets in 1818.
On one of the corners the first brick building in the village was erected
in 1815 and occupied as a grocery by C. B. Ryan. The brick were made
on the John Perrine farm. In the second story the second newspaper
(the Republican) in Lyons was printed in 1821 by George Lewis. The
building was burned February 3, 1881. On the southwest of these
corners Giles Jackson built a small brick store and kept it until 1820,
when he sold out and moved away. Samuel Hecox opened a store on
the east side of Broad street, but soon removed to Buffalo. About 1822
Eli Blair became a merchant here; he and his wife died the same day
240 LANDMARKS OF
(in L831) in the same house, and were buried in the same grave. In
L822 the Joppa Company built a store on the north side of the canal,
and also a 1 trick building on the south side. Other earl)' merchants
were: Smith & Northrop, Seth Smith, John Berkaw, Capt. John S. hie,
John Adams, Jonas Towar, William Hash ford (the first lock grocery-
man), and Clark Bartlett, sr. Among- the earlier jewelers were La Salle
(in L821 ), W. D. Perrine (father of D. K.), and David Adams.
The first blacksmith was Samuel Mummy, on Broad street, whose suc-
cessor was Alexander Beard (prior to L808). Then came Peter Hanker-
son, fohn Croul, Samuel Androus, Henry Seymour, and others.
In I sns Samuel Minkler came to Lyons and built a log tannery. Fi-
nally he tore it down, filled up his vats, and erected a frame house. At
one time he owned about all the land north of Water street and west of
Broad. John C. Kingsbury was an early shoemaker. In 1810 Deacon
John Gilbert started the first cabinet shop, and about L840 engaged in
manufacturing fanning mills, which at one time attained extensive pro-
portions. Subsequent manufacturers of fanning mills were H. W. Put-
ney. Adam Schattner, and Stephen Van Wickle. Zalmon Rice also
prosecuted the business and built the "Center building," in which he
had a store. In 18 Hi Newell Taft and Farnum White began making-
chairs. Later Taft and Henry Seymour engaged in manufacturing
plows, probably the first in Wayne county. Air. Taft also brought and
set up the first steam engine in the town. In 1866 the property passed
to Wicksoq & Van Winkle, and in 1869 the buildings were burned. A
large brick structure was at once erected, and the establishment took
the name of the Lyons Agricultural Works.
The second issue of the Lyons Republican, dated August 10, L821,
published by George Lewis "in the new brick block on the bank of the
canal," contains the following local advertisements: George H. McClary,
cash paid for flax seed; notice of annual meeting of the stockholders of
the Montezuma Turnpike and Bridge Company, Peter Clarke, secretary;
G. Butler, notice to delinquent debtors to settle; Webster & Stiles, hats,
etc.; Frisbee & Pierpont, notice to settle; E. Price, postmaster, adver-
tised letters; and T. Martin, tailor and habit maker.
William Vorhees became a cabinet maker here about L810. The first
livery stable was opened by Nehemiah Sprague and J. M. Demmon in
L834. Deacon Eli Johnson engaged in the tailoring business prior to
L820and died in L850. The first hay scales were placed in the alley be-
tween Congress Hall and the liver}- stable by Samuel Hecox, About
(£-J - sZ xvC^^cx£3He_^//
WAYNE COUNTY. 241
L830 Leach & Demmon erected a brewery on Water street near the
canal bridge. The establishment was finally destroyed by fire. An-
other brewery was started by George Brock & Co. Among the malt
houses that have formed an important feature of the village are those
operated by the Mirick Brothers. The first omnibus in the village was
brought by H. Warren in August, 1853. In 182G Gilbert & Avery built
a Masonic hall on the corner of Broad and Church streets. It finally
passed to John Clapp, and in 1862 was purchased by H. G. Hotchkiss,
by whom it was torn down. The first 4th of July celebration in Lyons
occurred in 1820. Judge Jewell was president of the clay and Graham
H. Chapin the orator. A band was formed in 1830. From 1840 to 1855
Holloway's band flourished, and in the latter year a brass band was or-
ganized. As early as 1810 a circulating library was instituted, of which
Judge Dorsey was president, Major Ezekiel Price librarian, and John
Perrine solicitor. The latter collected about 200 volumes and pam-
phlets on religion, and 200 more on history and biography. About a
dozen years afterward the collection disappeared.
Among the institutions in the village in 1833 were the Yellow tavern.
John W. Denton, proprietor, who succeeded Joseph W. Demmon; Leach
mill, adjoining the wool-carding and cloth-dressing establishment, all
of which were burned in 1836; Bashford's cooper shops; Jacob Leach,
Edwin B. Leach, Charles Allen, Samuel Androus, Zalmon Rice, Albert
J. Hovey, Jonas S. Towar, John W. Berkaw, John Adams, and W. F.
& Robert Holmes, jr., dry goods; Eli & Benjamin Johnson, tailors;
Miles S. Leach, Foster & Wright, and Flavel Crosby (successor to Al-
len & Yarrington), drugs ; Henry Baltzel, boots and shoes ; Lewis Groat,
Stephen Marshall, George Croul, Deacon Abner Brown and John C.
Kingsbmy, shoe shops; Exchange Hotel, George Benton, proprietor;
Wayne County Hotel, Reuben H. Foster, proprietor; Lyons Hotel,
Philip Dorscheimer, proprietor; Joppa House, Chauncey Burnett, pro-
prietor; Daniel Watrous, wagon shop; B. T. & James Rogers, tannery;
" Old Museum," formerly a tavern; Newell Taft, furnace; fanning mill
manufacturers; Waite & Lyman and John Smock, cabinet shops; Nehe-
miah Sprague, livery; Bryant R. Houghton and John O. Vorse, jewel-
ers; William Sisson, Graham H. Chapin, John M. Holley, and Adams
& Jameson, lawyers; Dr. Carlisle aud Jeremiah B. Pierce, physicians;
Abel Lyman and William Voorhies, justices of the peace; H. G. Dicker-
son, hat shop; William Bashford, Clark Bartlett, and David Adams,
canal groceries; John Croul, Robert Hull, Thomas Wafer, and James
31
342
LANDMARKS OF
McElwain, blacksmiths; Robert Holmes, ashery; Uriah Roraback, lot-
tery office; George \V. Liscomb, grocery and dram shop; Beaumont &
Stafford, hardware; Jonas \V. Goodrich, grocery; Miss Caswell and
Amanda Smith, milliners; Chester Vale, tin shop.
The first physician was Dr. Prescott, and among his successors were
Drs. Willis, William Ambler, Ashley, Pierce, Varnum, Peck, Jackson,
Teachout, Bottom, Vosburgh, David, Gillette, S. D. Sherman, T. H.
Avery, Miss Burroughs, and others.
William Sisson was the first resident lawyer. ( )ther early attorneys
have been William Hough, J. S. Stewart, Ezra Jewell, Gen. William H.
Adams, John S. Talmadge, Graham H. Chapin, John M. Holley, and
William Van Marter, Lyman Sherwood, and Wm. Clark.
The Lyons advertisers in the Wayne County Whig of 1841 were: S.
D. Crane, cabinet ware; William X. Cole, building lots for sale; Dwight
Foster, saddles and harness; Sanford & Sisson, Dr. Mason, William
Hewlett, and F.White, drugs; J. W. F.Rice, dentist; Edward Cooper,
Eastern Entrance into Lyons. — From an old print, 1840.
A 11., classical and commercial boarding scl I; Bank of Lyons, Thad-
deus W. Patchin, cashier.
In 1852, besides the above, there were D. Wilder, restaurant; Mrs.
C. H. Decker and Mrs. E. C. Cosart, milliner)'; A. Hays, ready-made
clothing; Rice & Whitman and Dickerson & Mundy, hats and furs; P.
A. Gebhard, lumberyard; C. R. Rudd & Sons, books; E. B. Price &
Sons, wooden and willow ware, etc.; E. Ware Sylvester, dentist ; S.
WAYNE COUNTY. 243
Weed, daguerreotypes; J. & P. Walters, undertakers; Edward Ray,
boots and shoes; W. W. Wormwood, watches and jewelry; William
Van Marter, lawyer, and village lots tor sale; S. H. Klinek, dry goods;
Bradish iV- Bourne, hardware; H. G. Hotehkiss, wanted, 40,000 bushels
of corn.
The Lyons post-office was established in 1807 and the first postmaster
was Maj. Ezekiel Price, who held the position about thirty years. He
took the contract to carry the mails to Geneva, a task his son, E. Bar-
ton Price, performed from 1811 to 1820. Subsequent postmasters were
Messrs. Reuben H. Foster, Poucher, Watrous, Dr. Ashley, Street}-,
Hano, Ellis, Van Etten, and Hough. The present incumbent is Dan-
iel B. Teller, who succeeded F. C. Zimmerlin.
Lyons village was incorporated April 18, 1854, and its limits were
legally designated as follows :
Commencing at a point 320 rods directly south of the center of the
hall of the court-house now being erected in said town; then west 320
rods ; thence due north 640 rods ; thence due east 640 rods ; thence south
a like distance; and thence west 320 rods to the place of beginning,
shall hereafter continue to be known by the name of the village of Lyons.
The charter was amended May 8, 1884. The first charter election
was held May 8, 1854, and the following officers were chosen: De Witt
W. Parshall, president; Aaron Remsen, Miles S. Leach, Stephen S.
Herrick, John T. Denniston, William H. Sisson, trustees; Philip Althen,
treasurer; John H. Spencer, clerk; Sylvester Wilder, constable; Mar-
cellus J. Goddard, collector; John Lawton, John M. Pickett, Hernando
C. Mead, assessors; John Knowles, jr. , chief engineer. The presidents
of the village have been : D. W. Parshall, 1854-55; Saxon B. Gavitt,
1856; D. W. Parshall, 1857-58; Amos Harrington, 1859-60; Henry
Graham, 1861; E. P. Taft, 1862; N. R. Mirick, 1863-64; H. J. Leach,
1865-66; George W. Cramer, 1867-68; S. A. Jones, 1869-70; S. C.
Searle, 1870; James Rogers, 1871; George W. Cramer, 1872; George
W. Knowles, 1873; R. J. Patterson, 1874; Hon. Van R. Richmond,
1875; George H. Shuler, 1876; M. C.Tucker, 1877; M. H. Dillenbeck,
1878; C. Hotehkiss, 1879; E. G. Leonard, 1880; De Witt P. Foster,
1881; William G. Rogers, 1882; H. W. Evans, 1883; Milton E. Mirick,
1884; R. A. Hubbard, 1885; Robert Smith, L886; J. W. Putnam, iss; :
Seymour Scott, 1888; J. W. Putnam, L889-92; G. AY. Koester, L893;
L. M. Blakely, 1894.
The village officers for 1894 are as follows :
244 LANDMARKS OF
L. M. Blakely, president; J. S. Jordan, vice-president; E. D. Bourne,
clerk ; Charles Boeheim, R. F. Forgham, J. S. Jordan, James McNamara,
H. F. Myers, Theodore Schlee, trustees; Joseph McCall, treasurer; A.
C. Brooks, street commissioner; Azor Culver, collector-; R. J. Patter-
son, police justice; John Knoblock, D. L. Stanley, P. J. Stephens, as-
sessors.
In 1827 or 8 a fire engine, "Dart," was purchased forabout $300 and
a company was organized with John Adams as foreman. Another crank
engine was procured soon afterward; a third was the " Ganargwa " and
a fourth was the "Eagle." A frame engine house was erected on the
site of the present No. 1, and being sold finally to John Pulse was re-
moved and converted into a dwelling. In 1871 a Silsby steamer was
purchased and in 1872 the present brick engine house and village hall
was built at a cost of $5,000. The fire department now consists of Ly-
ons Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1, E. D. Bourne, foreman; Independent
I lose Co. No. 1, Karl Martin, foreman; Steamer Hose Co. No. 2; Act-
ive Llose Co. No. 3, Harry Zimmerman, foreman; M. C. Tucker Hose
Co. No. 4; and J. S. Jordan Hose Co. No. 5. The officers are B. W.
Mirick, chief; D. E. Engel, first assistant ; Morgan Taylor, second as-
sistant.
The Lyons Gas Light Company was incorporated January 25, 1859,
and gas was supplied for lighting purposes soon afterward. The works
are located south of the canal on Water street.
In August, 1884, a franchise was granted Barton, Morgan & Reynolds
to lay water mains through the streets and establish a water system, but
they failed to comply with the regulations. In June, 1886, a similar
franchise was granted the Lyons Water Works Company, of which Cor-
nelius J. Ryan was president; John H. Camp, vice-president; De Witt
P. Foster, secretary; Alexander H. Towar, treasurer; andW. S. Parker, '
chief engineer. Active work commenced August 18, 1886. A well
eighteen feet in diameter and twenty feet deep was sunk on theWalrath
property on Layton street, a steel stand pipe was erected on the summit
of Sturges hill, and the system placed in operation in January, 1887.
The Lyons Electric Light and Power Company was organized June
15, L889, with Samuel Scott, president; J. W. Dunwell, vice-president;
J. W. Van Etten, secretary; William N. Deady, treasurer; and with a
eapital of $45,000. An excellent system of lighting was inaugurated,
and the facilities have been increased from time to time as occasion
required.
WAYNE COUNTY. 245
The Lyons Board of Trade was organized February 25, 1889, with
these officers: E. G. Leonard, 'president ; C. K. Robinson, vice-presi-
dent; W. G. David, secretary; W. S. Gavitt, treasurer. Through this
efficient organization several manufacturing industries have been in-
duced to locate in Lyons, notably that of the Manhattan Silver Plate
Company in 1889.
Several attempts have been made to organize and establish street
railroads in Lyons, but the clashing of individual interests have hitherto
prevented a consummation of the enterprise.
The Bank of Lyons was chartered May 14, 1836, with a capital of
$200,000, the commissioners being John Adams, James P. Bartle, Jacob
Leach, Byram Green, Elias Y. Munson, Lyman Sherwood, and Hiram
Jenkins. The first officers were: Reuben H. Foster, president, and a
Mr. Bigelow, cashier; the latter was succeeded by William H. Lacey.
The bank was opened about July 15, in the Center building, and in 1838
George G. Kingman obtained control. He moved to Black Rock in
1839, leaving the concern in a crippled condition, and in 1842 it failed,
at which time Thaddeus W. Patchen was cashier. The building was
converted into the Bank Hotel in 1881.
The Lyons National Bank was incorporated as the Palmyra Bank of
Wayne County in December, 1843; the name was changed to theL)^ons
Bank, March 31, 1857. The originators were : DeWittW. Parshall and
Peter R. Westfall. In 1865 it became a national bank and adopted its
present title with a capital of $150,000. The first officers were: D. W.
Parshall, president; M. T. Tucker, cashier; and J. V. D. Westfall,
teller.
William Sisson and Daniel Chapman established a private banking
business at an early day. Mr. Sisson finally withdrew and Mr. Chap-
man continued alone until about 1860.
In 1859 Westfall's Bank was incorporated with Peter R. Westfall as
president, and B. Van Alstine as cashier, who were succeeded by Caleb
O. Rice and Jacob Westfall respectively. The bank failed in March,
1868, owing $100,000 to depositors.
Gavitt & Murdock opened a bank and continued a partnership for a
time. Murdock withdrew, aud S. B. Gavitt removed to his present
location on William street.
Hiram and Nelson Mirick and Samuel L. Cole opened a bank in
Gavitt & Murdock's old quarters, and were succeeded by John L. Cole,
who still conducts the business under the Union Bank of Lyons.
246 LANDMARKS OF
J. A'. D. Westfall established a private bank a few years since and
still conducts a large business.
The Parshall Opera House, erected to the memory of Hon. De Witt
Parshall, who died May 12, 18&0, was formally opened April 20, 1883.
In 1873 there were shipped from this point 301,507 bushels of apples,
besides large quantities of other produce. In 1888 the village contained
1,657 stores and residences exclusive of shops and unoccupied buildings.
The population in L890 was 4,175, an increase of 055 since 1880.
Alloway is a small hamlet in the south part of the town, east of the
Canandaigua outlet. It was formerly a place of considerable im-
portance and maintained an enviable prestige up to the construction of
the Erie Canal. Since then its business has declined and sought a more
populous center. In about K!>4 Captain Henry To war as agent for
Captain Williamson erected a saw mill, a grist mill, and two stores.
The mills were burned in 1804. Captain Towar was a native of Alloa,
Scotland, and gave to this place the name it has ever borne. He died
in 1846. Among the old-time merchants were: Roys & Shattuck,
Alexander Hays, Dr. L. C. Grover (who was also a postmaster),
Simeon Haynes (who with Dr. Grover had an ashery), and Thomas
Payne. Captain John Albangh built and kept the first tavern. He was
also a blacksmith, and was succeeded as landlord by Stephen Young,
Nicholas Hooper, Thomas Payne, and the latter's sons William and
Thomas, jr. Dr. Grover was the first physician. The post-office was
discontinued several years ago.
Churches. — For a number of years a Methodist Episcopal Church
flourished at Alloway, but the society finally became weak in numbers,
disbanded, and their edifice was sold to Alfred Hale, by whom it was
dismantled.
The first religious services in the town were held by Rev. John Cole,
a Methodist preacher, in 1707, and the founders of the present church
of this denomination in the village were Rev. John Cole, Daniel Dor-
scv, Richard Jones, James Walters, Nicholas and William Stansell,
James ( )tto, and George Carr. Added to these as early members were
Mrs. Samuel Bennett, Mrs. George Carr, Mrs. Eleanor Dorsey and sons
Andrew, Thomas E., and Nelson, and daughters Deborah, Delia, Eliza-
beth, and Lydia, Mrs. Ann Cole, Ann Cole (sister of John Cole), Mary
and Joseph Cole, Mrs. Sarah Jones, William Jones, Mrs. Elizabeth
Coats, William Wiles, Peter Walker, William Sampson and sons Thomas
and Henry, George Alexander and wife Margaret, and William Jones.
WAYNE COUNTY. 247
About L803 a lot, on which stood a log house, was purchased, and the
building, fitted up, became the first stated place of worship in the town.
It was built by George Carr for a dwelling, and in size was twenty by
thirty feet. It stood on Broad street north of Church, and was two
stories high. The first minister was Rev. Mr. Cole, who died in 1808.
The Methodist Episcopal Union Church of Lyons was incorporated
May 15, 1809, with Lawrence Riley, Daniel Dorsey, Richard Jones,
Nicholas Stansell, and William Wiles, trustees ; Richard Jones, clerk.
This was the parent church of all those within the present conference.
August 10, 1810, it was decided to sell the old meeting house and apart
of the lot, and build a new edifice. Subscriptions amounting to $744
were secured, and in 1813 another church was opened, but remained un-
finished till about 1818. It fronted Broad street, and was used for
twenty-one years, the last sermon in it being preached by Rev. Thomas
Carlton. In 1834 a new building was completed and dedicated at a cost
of $6,000, and in it Rev. Samuel Luckey delivered the first sermon. It
stood on the site of the present edifice, and the building committee con-
sisted of Eli Johnson, Joseph Cole, and Daniel Watrous. Mr. Johnson
was superintendent of the Sunday school for twenty-four years. Thomas
Rooke and wife were active members of the church, and at their deaths
left endowments of $2,000 and $4,000, respectively. In 1850 the old
building was torn down and the present brick structure erected on the
site, the building committee being Stephen Marshall, Samuel J. Cole,
andGilbert Van Marter. It was repaired in 1875 at an expense of about
$6,000, and reopened January 6, 1876. The society has about 300 mem-
bers under the pastoral charge of Rev. M. S. Wells.
The First Presbyterian Church of Lyons was originally formed at the
house of John Riggs on the 2d of January, 1800, at which time John
Taylor, John Perrine, and John Van Wickle, sr. , were chosen to act as
trustees. The legal organization did not take place, however, until Oc-
tober 23, 1809, when the following became constituent members of the
First Presbyterian Society: John and Mary Perrine, John and Anna
Gault, William and Abigail Alfred, Henry Pitcher, Lydia, wife of Law-
rence Hessinger, Matthew Clark, John, John R. , and Simon Van Wickle,
Peter and Anna Perrine, John Riggs, Thomas and Margaret Peacock,
William and Nelly Paton, Anna, wife of Ezekiel Price, and Abraham
and Mary Romyen. The organizer was Rev. John Lindsley. Octo-
ber 27 John Perrine and Abraham Romyen were elected elders, and Rev.
John Stuart supplied the church until 1811, when Rev. Francis Pom-
248 LANDMARKS OF
eroy began his ministerial labors. He was regularly installed the first
pastor July 29, 1814, and remained until February 1, 1825. Their first
stated place of worship was an old storehouse on Broad street, which
was purchased and moved to the "lot set apart for gospel purposes."
February IT, 1824, the trustees were instructed "to build a new meet-
ing house that will cost not less than $3,000 nor more than $5,000."
The old church was sold, and the new one completed about 1825, in
which year Rev. Lucas Hubbell became pastor and remained until 1839.
Then came Rev. Ira Ingraham till 1848, when Rev. Charles Hawley
took charge. The present edifice was begun in March, 1849, and com-
pleted within the year. The old church was sold to the German Luth-
erans and destroyed by fire April 20, 1885. The present pastor is Rev.
L. A. Ostrander, D.D. The society has about 425 members.
Grace Episcopal Church of Lyons was organized by Rev. John A.
Clark on August 14, and legally incorporated on August 25, 1826, as
St. Paul's Church. The first officers were: Thomas Forbes and James
Agett, wardens; and Gen. William H. Adams, John Adams, J, B.
Pierce, Henry Ferrington, Joseph Hall, Benjamin Raney, Alexander
Hays, and Graham H. Chapin, vestrymen. Rev. Mr. Clark was the
first rector and continued his services until 1828, after which no record
exists relative to this parish. August 13, 1838, at a meeting held in the
court house, the society was reorganized and given its present name,
the first officers being Richard Bushnell and James Agett, wardens;
and William H. Adams, Reuben H. Foster, G. C. Kingman, W. H.
Lacey. J. H. Towar, D. McDonald, and H. Jameson, vestrymen. Rev.
Samuel Cooke was elected rector and remained until September, 1843,
when he was succeeded by Rev. Montgomery Schuyler. In 1839 the
present lot was purchased and a church edifice built. It is of stone, and
was consecrated in 1840 by Rt. Rev. Bishop W. H. De Lancy, D.D. It
has since been enlarged to accommodate the membership, prominent
among whom were: Hiram Mann, M.D., A. D. Polhamus, W. N. Cole,
J. L. Jones, R. N. Armes, A. J. Hovey, L. B. Pierce, George K.
Perrine, D. Watrous, and Hon. Ambrose Spencer. In 1850 the rectory
was purchased and subsequently enlarged, towards which Abram E. M.
Cook contributed $400. Rev. Mr. Schuyler was followed as rector by
Rev. W. H. A. Bisscll (afterward bishop of Vermont) in 1845, Rev.
Mr. Wardwell in 1848, Rev. George M. Hills in 1851, Rev. W. A. Fiske
in 1853, Rev. Sidney Wilbur in L859, Rev. W. W. Montgomery in 1861,
Rev. William H. Williams in L867, and others. The present rector is
WAYNE COUNTY. 249
Rev. J. R. Harding". Among the memorials placed in the church arc-
windows to Dr. Hiram Mann and family, and Mr. and Mrs. Nathan
Parshall (parents of Hon. Ue Witt Parshall), and tablets to Hon
Ambrose Spencer and John Adams. The parish has about 260 com-
municants.
The First Baptist Church of Lyons was organized at a very early day
and reorganized October 30, 1833, with fifty-eight members by Revs.
Norton and Barrett. Early meetings were held at a school house, at
Masonic hall, and at the court house until the erection of a church
edifice on William street. In 1834 Rev. Mr. Hosford became pastor,
and the Ripley house was secured as a parsonage. December 5, 1835,
the society was legally organized by the election of Nathaniel Mead,
John Mitchell, Moses Austin, Cullen Foster, and Hugh Jameson as
trustees. In 1840 a brick church edifice was begun and used until in
need of repairs, when it was leased to the Disciples. The society then
practically suspended, though meetings were held regularly, but was
subsequently revived and now has about ninety members under the
pastoral care of Rev. R. Osgood Morse.
The German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lyons was organized
at the Kregar school house July 18, 1830, with nineteen members.
Meetings were held there and in the court house until 1832, when a
frame church was erected on Broad street on the subsequent site of
Deacon Gilbert's shop, the building committee being Louis Studer and
Philip and Dietrich Ehrhardt. In 1850 the society purchased the old
brick Presbyterian church, which was repaired, a basement built under
it, and an organ added at a cost of $1,800, and which was occupied until
April 20, 1885, when it burned. It was then valued at $6,000. The
present elegant brick edifice was then built on the site. The corner
stone was laid September 15, 1885, and the church was dedicated Sep-
tember 26, 1886, by Rev. J. H. Asbeck. The Sunday school was
organized in 1848. The first pastor was Rev. D. Willers, and among
his successors have been Revs. J. J. Bailharz, P. H. Dennler, C. A.
Ebert, Thomas Huschman,C. Berger,C. H. Thompson, F. L. Schoeppe,
J. Schmalzl, Charles G. Manz, and others. The society now has Ion
communicants under Rev. P. Spaeth as pastor.
The German church of the Evangelical Association of North America
of Lyons was formed as a class at the house of George Stoetzel in 1835,
by Rev. M. F. Mees, with the following members: George H. and Sa-
loma Ramige, Michael and Rosina Faulstich, George and Dorothea
32
250 LANDMARKS OF
Stoetzel, George and Catharine Humbert, George and Barbara Ramige,
and Philip Lang. The church met strong opposition for a period from
German people, to whom its tenets savored much of revolution. From
1835 to 1845 there was preaching by the Revs. M. F. Mees, J. Kehr, J.
Riegel, P. Henneberger, Christian Hummel, M. Lehn, D. Fisher, M.
Sindlinger, Christian Holl, and Fr. Kroecker. In 1840 the first German
camp meeting was held east of Lyons on the farm of Joseph Cole. The
Rev. John M. Sindlinger, presiding elder, had charge. The society
was regularly organized at the Pearl street school house in January,
1844, and soon afterward the present Catholic church was purchased and
fitted up for religious services. February 4, 1844, the society was in-
corporated, and Louis Schneider, Henry Miller, Fred. Hamm, Michael
Faulstich, and Philip Althen were chosen trustees. The next year a
Sabbath school was started with twenty scholars. In 1850 the old church
was sold to the Catholics, and the present edifice erected and dedicated
in December by Bishop Joseph Long. It is of stone and brick, two
stories high, and cost $6, 000. The lot on which it stands, on the corner
of Spencer and Hawley streets, was purchased of James and Rhoda
Agett for $500. In 1872 a parsonage was built on Hawley street. In
1875 the church was thoroughly repaired. Among the pastors have
been Levi Jacoby, William Mentz, Peter Alles, Theobald Schneider,
Werner Oetzel, David Fisher, August Klein, George Rott, Solomon
Weber, JohnSchaaf, A. Stoebe, Adolph Miller, John Grenzebach, Philip
J. Miller, Jacob Siegrist, Levi Jacoby, Michael Lehn, Andrew Holz-
warth, Adam Schlenk, David Fisher, Michael Pfitzinger, and others.
The society has about 170 members.
The Church of Christ of Lyons had its inception in a Sunday school
formed by Miss Addie Clapp in the fall of 1869. Missionary services
and this school were held in the then vacant Baptist Church, which was
leased in 1874 for five years at a rental of $500 annually. It was re-
paired, and opened on December 18 by Rev. A. B. Chamberlain. The
society was formally organized April 16, 1876, with thirty members, and
with Rev. A. S. Hale as pastor. It flourished for a time, but finally
weakened and disbanded.
St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church of Lyons was legally incorpor-
ated April 20, 1869, by Bishop McQuaid, Vicar-General James M. Early,
Rev. John P. Stewart, Patrick Miles, and John O'Keefe. Rev. Mr.
Stewart, the first pastor, was followed by Rev. Peter O'Connell, and in
is; I by Rev: Charles L. M. Rimmels. Catholic services, however, had
WAYNE COUNTY. 251
been held in Lyons for many years prior to the formal organization.
The first mass in the town was said at the house of James Ford, and the
first priests were Fathers Gilbride and Towhay. In 1850 the German
Methodist Church was purchased for a place of worship. The present
pastor is Rev. D. W. Kavanaugh.
St. John's Lutheran Church of Lyons was organized May 4, 1877, by
Rev. G. Manz, who became the first pastor. The corner stone of the
present handsome edifice was laid July 10, 1877, and the structure was
dedicated January 2, 1878. It is of brick and cost $14,000. The society
has over 400 communicants and a Sunday school of 130 scholars. The
present pastor is Rev. H. Hartwig.
CHAPTER XVIII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF GALEN.
The town of Galen was organized by a division of Junius, in Seneca
county, February 14, 1812; on the 11th of April, 1823, it became a part
of Wayne county; on November 24, 1824, Savannah was set off, leaving
it with its present area of 35,299 acres. It is the second town in size in
the county, and is bounded on the north by Rose and Butler, on the
east by Savannah, on the south by Seneca county, and on the west by
Lyons. It comprises township number 27 of the old Military Tract,
and received its name of Galen from being reserved for the physicians
and surgeons of the New York regiments in the Revolutionary war ;
more definitely speaking, it was named in honor of the professional fol-
lowers of Claudius Galen (or Galenus), a celebrated Greek physician
who was born A. D. 130. With the other portions of this vast tract, it
was originally surveyed into farm lots of 600 acres each.
The surface is broken into high hills and level marsh, the latter cov-
ering a total of over one-fifth of the town. The soil of the highlands
is a sandy, gravelly loam, while that of the lowlands is a black muck.
It is very productive, and except the marshes is susceptible of easy cul-
tivation. Almost the whole area was originally covered with a dense
growth of hardwood timber, the sugar maple predominating, and during
the earlier settlements, a number of saw mills found profitable employ-
252 LANDMARKS OF
ment in manufacturing lumber. The principal drainage is afforded by
the Clyde River, formerly called the Canandaigua outlet, which enters
the town from Lyons, flows northeasterly to Clyde village, and thence
runs southeast into vSeneca county. It has several small tributaries, the
largest being Black Creek, which flows through the northwest part of
Galen and joins the river one-fourth mile east of Lock Berlin. Marsh
Creek courses southward through the east edge of this town and enters
Savannah near the New York Central Railroad. In 1872 a project was
instigated for the drainage of Black Creek with a ditch seven miles long,
ten feet wide, and four feet deep, costing $4000. This was the greatest
effort of the kind ever attempted in the town. Several appropriations
have been made by the State to drain and reclaim portions of the marsh
lands. In the spring of 1855 a freshet inundated the banks of the Clyde
River and other streams, and caused considerable damage to buildings,
bridges, and adjacent property. March 30, 1873, a similar flood occurred,
in which two brothers, Michael and Fenton Kelly, were drowned while
trying to reach land on a raft from the Fox malt house in Clyde.
Wheat long constituted the chief agricultural production, but within
recent years it has been largely superseded by mixed farming, the strength
and fertility of the soil, enabling the husbandman to raise a variety of
crops indigenous to this latitude. Fruitgrowing has been an important
industry from an early day, and the apples produced here have given
the town, as well as the county, a leading place in distant markets.
Raspberries are also cultivated with profit, and peppermint is extensively
grown, especially upon the wet or marshy tracts. The largest vineyard
in Galen is owned by A. F. Devereaux. In 1858 the town produced 31,-
178 bushels of winter wheat and 199,093 bushels of spring wheat; 3, Six;
tons of hay; 1.9,546 bushels of potatoes ; 4H,58S bushels of apples; 140,
558 pounds of butter; 10,278 pounds of cheese; and 1,271 yards of do-
mestic cloths. It contained 1,373 horses; 1,061 oxen and calves; 1,649
cows; 8,814 sheep; and 4,198 swine.
For twenty years or more following the advent of white settlers, the
Clyde River was the avenue of considerable commerce; it conveyed the
bateaux of the pioneers, brought them merchandise, and carried their
produce to market. Previous to that its waters had long floated the
canoe of the aborigine, for it is evident on good authority that one or
more Indian villages existed within the borders of the town. On the
[oseph Watson farm numerous relics have been found and several deep
black spots in the earth, indicating fireplaces, were discovered. Half
WAYNE COUNTY. 853
a mile east, on the old Adrastus Snedaker place, were similar evidences
of an Indian encampment. In the road near the Catholic Cemetery is
now a stone five long-, two and one-half feet wide, and sunk deep into
the ground; its surface is dug out to form a basin, in which it is claimed
the Indians pounded their corn. In the immediate vicinity many arrow-
heads and other relics of wigwam days have been picked up.
The present site of the village of Clyde is historic ground. A little
east of the Central depot, during a part of the eighteenth century, there
stood a block house, so called from its construction. The date of its
construction is unknown, but it was used as a trading post by the French
prior to the French and Indian war in 1754. From that time until the
Revolution it was occupied by other traders; it then fell into the posses-
sion of the Tories, who used it as a station for smuggling goods from
Canada via Sodus Bay. But before the war closed the government
made a descent upon the place, arrested some of the smugglers and
drove the others away. In the mean time quite a number of lawless
characters had squatted in the immediate vicinity, and by hunting and
smuggling, by the aid of friendly Indians, carried on a profitable busi-
ness. They boldly kept out all persons unfavorable to their illegal
traffic and being distantly removed from any regular settlement they
prosecuted their trade with little fear of molestation. The best evidence
extant indicates that the block house was burned during or soon after
the government raid, notwithstanding the many assertions made that
it was seen by white men as late as 1820. Captain Luther Redfield once
said that when he and others were passing in a boat, about 1804, the
charred remnants of the old building were plainly visible; even its cor-
ners and shape could be distinguished. In 1811 Jonathan Melvin, jr.,
erected on the south side of the river the first log dwelling within the
present village limits. This was also known as a block house, which
accounts for the statement referred to above. The location of the
original block house has advanced the theory that this was formerly a
Jesuit mission, but this is incorrect. If this were true it would undoubt-
edly have been mentioned in the Jesuit Relations.
The Erie Canal opened in 1825, not only drew all the shipping busi-
ness from the Clyde River, but also aided materially in advancing the
settlements and promoting various industries. This was followed
several years later by a project to connect this waterway with Great
Sodus bay by a ship canal, locally known as the "Sodus ditch. " In 1841
General William H. Adams organized a company, obtained a charter,
j.vi LANDMARKS OF
and began work a half-mile west of Clyde. After digging a portion of
the channel, the waters of the streams and marshes were turned in to
wash out the ditch. The general's property was alhexpended in further-
ing this enterprise, but it was never completed and the whole work was
finally abandoned. Evidences of the great ditch are still visible.
January 22, 1853, a company, capitalized at $150,000, was formed for
the purpose of building a railroad from Clyde to Sodus Bay; a survey
was made, but the clashing of individual interests caused the abandon-
ment of this project also.
In 1853 the New York Central Railroad was completed and opened
and added a new impetus to the development of the town. In 1872 the
Pennsylvania and Sodus Bay Railroad, from a point in Pennsylvania,
via Seneca Falls and Clyde, to Sodus Bay was projected; and to aid in
its construction it was proposed to bond this town for $70,000. Contracts
were let in 1873, but soon afterward the whole plan fell through. In
1884 the West Shore Railroad was completed and opened, with a
station at Clyde.
Roads were opened in Galen prior to 1810, and as settlers increased
in numbers they were improved and extended. Probably the first one
was the military trail or State road, leading from the block house north-
easterly and easterly to Salina. The State road proper ran through the
north part of the town. The eastern plank road from Clyde to Port
Byron, running north of Savannah village past the salt works there,
was graded and opened at an early day, but it was planked eastward
only to a point south of Crusoe Lake in that town. Laomi Beadle, the
pioneer settler, was instrumental in constructing the Montezuma turn-
pike from Montezuma to Lyons about 1820. It ran through the south
part of Galen and became an important mail route and stage line. The
Clyde and Rose Plank Road Company for several years maintained a
plank road between those two villages, but discontinued it soon after
1877, at which time the officers were: P. J. Thomas, president; Seth
Smith, secretary, J. M. Nichols, treasurer. The highways in the
vicinity of Marengo were among the earliest opened in Galen. There
are now 105 road districts in the town.
In 1818 mail was brought from Geneva to Marengo on horseback, and
in 1820 the mail route was extended to Clyde. About this latter year
a line of stages was established, and in 1830, when the first newspaper
was printed at Clyde, the business was in full blast under the proprietor-
ship of James M. Watson. He ran a stage between these points thrice
WAYNE COUNTY.
weekly each way. In 1833 Mr. Watson sold to William F. Pierce of
Clyde, who disposed of the business a few years later to S. Salisbury.
In 1841 the latter sold to Adrastus Snedaker, who operated it until L844,
when the route between Rochester and Syracuse through Clyde was
discontinued. The travel between Clyde and Geneva necessitated a
daily stage, and Mr. Snedaker sold a one-half interest to Lewis & Colvin
of Geneva, who continued the route until 1854, when stages were aban-
doned. The mail route was kept up, however, and the business again
passed to Mr. Snedaker, who sold it in 1857 to B. Hustin. The latter
had several successors. Stage routes are now maintained between
Clyde and Junius in Seneca county. .
The assessed valuation of real estate in Galen in 1823 was $385,531,
and the personal property, $7,499. In 1858 these were $1,381,393, and
$367,578, respectively. In 1858 the town had also $24,301 acres of
improved land, 2,706 male and 2,475 female inhabitants; 924 dwellings,
995 families, and 490 freeholders. In 1890 its population numbered"
4,922, or 539 less than in 1880. In 1893 the assessed valuation of real
estate aggregated $1,360,347 (equalized $1,423,940) ; village and mill
property, $949,250 (equalized $988,806) ; railroads and telegraphs, $836,-
281; personal property, $173,950. Schedule of taxes, 1893: Contingent
fund, $3,388.01; poor fund, $750; special town tax, $2,820; school tax,
$3,131.77; county tax, $7,493.12; State tax; $4,129.11; State insane tax,
$1,065.23; dog tax, $97.50. Total tax levied, $28,196.01 ; rate percent.,
.00842853. There are five election districts, and in 1893 the town polled
976 votes.
The first town meeting was held at the house of Jonathan Mel vin, jr.,
in April, 1812, and Mr. Melvin was elected the first supervisor. The
records covering the years intervening between 1812 and 1862 have been
burned and therefore it is impossible to give the names of the other first
officers or a list of the successive supervisors. The town officers elected
March 4, 1862, were as follows: Albert F. Redfield, supervisor; Jacob
T. Van Buskirk, town clerk; Hiram P. Jones, justice of the peace;
Charles E. Elliott, assessor; Levi Lundy, commissioner of highways;
Ambrose S. Field and Timothy S. Brink, overseers of the poor; James
Murphy, collector. Supervisors since then have been : Albert F. Red-
field, 1862-63 : Porter G. Denison, 1866; Matthew Mackie, 1867 ; Ste-
phen D. Streeter, 1868; Edward B. Wells, 1870-71; Matthew Mackie,
1872; E. W. Gurnee, 1873; E. W. Sherman, 1874-75; Thomas P. Thorn,
1875; Elijah P. Taylor, jr., 1877-78; Adrastus Snedaker, 1879; Albert
256 LANDMARKS OF
F. Redfield, 1880-81; M.S. Roe, 1882; George G. Roe, L883-84; Will-
iam Gillette, 1885; Ward H. Groesbeck, 1886 ; Alexander Graham, 1887
ss; Milton J. Blodgett, 1880; Charles H. Ford, 1890-01 ; Edwin Sands,
L892-94. The town officers for 1804 are: Edwin Sands, supervisor;
Frank A. Haugh, town clerk; Albert M. Van Buskirk, J. M. Lieck,W.
H. Gilbert, justices of the peace ; A. H. Gillette, W. A. Groescup, Har-
vey H. Benning, assessors; William E. Mead, collector; Archibald Bar-
ton, highway commissioner; Willard Crawford, overseer of the poor.
The town Board of Health was organized August 15, 1881.
Mention has been made of the hunters, trappers, and smugglers who
squatted in the vicinity of what is now the village of Clyde, and who were
driven away by the government soon after the Revolutionary War. The
squatters made no substantial improvements, and when the actual set-
tlers arrived it is said that not a sign of any former habitation save the
ruins of the original block house could be seen.
The first permanent white settler was Laomi Beadle, who located on
land which his father, Thomas Beadle, of Junius, owned at Marengo in
L800. He built the first log house in Galen, planted the first orchard,
and on the little stream at that point he erected the first saw mill. In
1801 the families of David Godfrey, Nicholas King, and Isaac Mills,
consisting of thirty-three persons, settled on lot 70. Dr. James Young,
the brother of Mrs. King's mother and a surgeon of the Revolution at
Albany, drew military lots 28, 37, 70, and 87, and offered 100 acres to
his nephew if he would settle thereon. The three men selected lot 70
in L800, built two log cabins that fall, returned to their home at Aurel-
ius, and brought their families hither the next spring. October 13,
L801, David Godfrey was accidentally killed, and in February, 1802, his
son Isaac was born, these being the first death and birth respectively in
town.
These settlers were followed in 180.'5 by David Creager and J. King,
from Maryland. Mr. Creager built a log house in the northwest corner
of (ialen, wdiich became the oldest of the kind in town. He was a vet-
erinary surgeon and one of the first assessors, an office he held seven-
torn years; he died here in 1854. Isaac Mills was killed by a falling
tree; his son Nathaniel served in the war of 1812, and in 1835 he sold
the homestead to John and Manley Hanchett and moved to Ohio.
In 1804 Capt. John Sherman, Elias Austin, Mr. Payne, and Jabez
Reynolds came in. Captain Sherman and Mr. Payne, while coming by
way of Clyde River, encountered an insurmountable obstacle of logs
WAYNE COUNTY. 251
and brush in a bend of the stream, called " big wood reef." They
changed the course of the river, and lessened the distance half a mile,
by cutting' a channel twelve feet wide across the bend; this was long-
known as the "old canal." Jabez Reynolds and Polly, daughter of
Isaac Mills, were married in 1805, the first marriage in the town.
Among- the settlers of 1805 were Asaph Whittlesey, William Fore-
man, a Mr. Rich, Salem Ford (at Lock Berlin), Isaac Beadle (at Ma-
rengo), and Aaron Ford. In 1810 Abraham Romyen located south of
Lock Berlin, and Jonathan Melvin, jr., settled at Clyde. The latter in
1811 erected on the south side of the river a log dwelling, which was
known during its existence as the block house. In it was held the first
town meeting. Mr. Romyen had settled in Lyons in 1808. He died
here in 1830; his son Thomas T. died February 9, 1885.
In 1809 James M. Watson moved from Schoharie county to Junius,
Seneca county, whence he came with his family in 1810 to lot 95, near
Marengo, and finally became stage proprietor, as before stated. Joseph
Watson, his son, was born in 1800, came to Clyde in 1817, married a
daughter of Capt. Luther Redfield in 1822, and died March 22, 1881.
He was a mason, a merchant, and a farmer. Levi Watson, born in
Galen in 1835, died on his father's homestead November 18, 1890.
James W. Humeston, James Dickson, Henry Archer, D. Southwick,
Arza Lewis, and E. Dean also settled at or near Clyde about 1810.
Soon afterward Edward Wing, Benjamin Shotwell, Nathan Blodgett,
and Samuel Stone located near Marengo. Mr. Humeston died in Michi-
gan in May, 1893. Mr. Blodgett engaged in the manufacture of pot-
ash.
The war of 1812 checked the tide of immigration, and wre find few set-
iers to notice until 1815. In that year, in March, Simeon Griswold, sr.,
purchased of Judge Nicholas, of Geneva, 300 acres of wood land on lot
09, and settled his family upon it. Aaron Griswold, his son, was born
in Fairfield, N. Y., December 1, 1799, came to Phelps, and thence to
Galen with his parents, taught school, and died in February, 1883. In
1822 father and son built and floated on the Clyde River and afterward
on the canal the first canal boat (the "Gold Hunter") ever owned in
town. In 1826 Aaron Griswold built two other canal boats at Lock Ber-
lin, and for a time was associated in the business with Stephen Fergu-
son. In 1828 the two contracted to build three sections of a canal on
the Juniata River in Pennsylvania, and in 1831 a half mile section on
the Camden and Amboy Railroad in New Jersey. In 1831 he started a
33
258 LANDMARKS OF
mercantile business at Lock Berlin with William Ford, who sold his in-
terest in L832 to Alfred Griswold, a brother of Aaron. Inl836 he came
to Clyde, and in L 840 bought the Clyde Hotel. He subsequently en-
gaged in milling, banking, merchandising, and manufacturing. April
:!<), 18:25, Mr. Griswold joined the Lyons lodge of Masons, and was
deputy grand master of the State in L864-65. He was candidate for
county clerk in 1855, for member of the State Legislature in 1857, and
tor member of Congress in L858. He held several other positions of
trust and responsibility.
Sylvester Clarke came to Galen prior to 1820, for on November 5 of
that year his son, Sylvester H. Clarke, was born here, and is now the
oldest native of the town. The latter is a writer of marked ability, and
an authority on local history. He has in his possession the initial num-
ber of the first newspaper (the Standard, January 0, 1830), ever pub-
lished in Clyde. The house in which he lives on the south side of the
river, in Clyde, was built by his father for a store; the upper story was
occupied by the Masons and by the Presbyterian Church Society.
Among the settlers between 1815 and 1825 were Luther Redheld,
Abraham Knapp, William S. St<>w (mentioned in the legal chapter), Dr.
John Lewis, John Condit, James B. West, Rev. Jabez Spier, Levi and
David Tuttle, Daniel Dunn, Harry West, Moses Perkins, Rev. Charles
Mosher, Elias R. Cook, Melvin and J P. Pailey, William Hunt, Samuel
M. Welch, Eben Bailey, Lemuel C. Paine, George Burrill, and others.
Thomas J. Whiting was born in New York city in 1801, came to Clyde
in 1825, and died here February 22, L881. He was a shoemaker and a
merchant.
Henry Van Tassel, who was born in September, 1807, became a
farmer and later a merchant in Rose, settled in Clyde in 1864 and en-
gaged in the dry goods business, and died January 7, 1875. David E.
Garlic, the son of a captain in the Revolutionary war, came to Galen in
1814, and erected two and one-half miles east of Clyde the first frame
house in the town. He died May 6, L884. Captain Chester Smith, born
in 1801, came hereabout L860, and died September 9, L892. Stuckley
Ellsworth, who became prominent in State politics, was his neighbor.
Isaac Wiley was a pioneer settler at Marengo, where he died in fanuary,
L889. He lived for a time in Clyde and was a justice of the peace two
terms. J. Stevens, a blacksmith, and Bryant Hall, a carpenter and
hotel keeper, died at Marengo in L887. Both were early settlers and
the former was the inventor of a ditching machine and cider mill.
WAYNE COUNTY. 259
General William H. Adams, the instigator of the famous Sodus ditch,
and a lawyer of eminent ability, occupied while a resident of Galen the
old house standing a few yards west of the present residence. of Hon.
Thomas Robinson; in the cellar he had Henry Robinson (father of
Thomas) build four wine vaults of solid masonry. He also owned 600
acres surrounding' the place, most of which is now included within the
village corporation. Prior to General Adams's occupancy and during
the anti-Masonic excitement this old house is said to have been stoned
by a mob which had gathered to wreak vengeance upon a number of
Masons who had taken refuge therein, and who had prepared it for the
occasion by' making loop holes through the walls and barricading the
doors and windows. General Adams had four sons, one of whom,
Alexander D., became captain of Company B, 27th Regiment, in the
war of the Rebellion. The property passed from General Adams to
Alexander Duncan, his chief financial backer, and in 1872 the home-
stead was purchased by Mr. Robinson.
Between 1810 and 1815 a number of Quakers settled in the vicinity
of Marengo, among them being David Beadle, Stephen T. Watson,
Daniel Strang, James Tripp, Henry Donnell, and Mathew Rogers.
Cyrus Smith, a member of the Hicksite branch of this denomination,
located in Clyde at an early day and finally moved to the farm after-
ward occupied by Joseph Crawford.
Thomas J. Marsh, born in Massachusetts in 1816, came to Galen with
his parents in 1820, and died May 1, 1887. Franklin Humphrey, a
native of Phelps, N. Y., born in 1808, moved here with his father's
family in 1812, was engaged in the foundry business forty-one years,
and died in June, 1877. Horace Barnes and Jacob Y. Brink both died
here in November of that year. Matthew Mackie, who was born in
England in 1811, removed to Galen with his father, Thomas, in 1818,
and died here June 3(», 1873; he was a farmer and nurseryman, and
supervisor two years. William Aurand, born in Bucks county, Pa., in
1803, came to this town with his parents in 1819, and died in Septem-
ber, 1884. Peter Vanderbilt, a native of Romulus, N. Y., born in 1800,
moved to Galen when a lad, and died August 23, 1891 ; John Yosbiirgh,
who settled here in 1835, died July 30, of the same year. Lendal Put-
nam Powers, a harnessmaker, was born here November 7, 1828, en-
listed in the 9th New York Heavy Artillery, and died in town June
30, 1S92.
Richard Wood settled in Clyde in 1820; he was a stone mason,
200 LANDMARKS OF
groceryman, village constable, and proprietor of the Indian Queen
Hotel, which stood near the corner of Glasgow and Columbia streets.
vSeth Henry Wood, who died January is, 1886, came to Galen with his
father, Israel, in 1830; he was a cabinet maker, and in 1868 established
with his brother, Sidney W., the present engine manufactory in Clyde
of S. W. Wood & Son.
George R. Mason (died July 2, 1886) and Oliver Stratton (died Sep-
tember 3, 1886) came to Galen in 1824 and L820 respectively. JohnM.
Blodgett settled with his parents in Marengo in 1818, removed to Clyde
in is-.*;, and died February 23, 1888. George Closs located at Lock
Berlin in 1813; his widow died there August 28, 1875.
Anions the settlers of the town and village from is:1)!) to 1850 were:
Tobias Forbes, carpenter, died January 13, 1891; Prosper S. Sloan,
died in March, 1891 ; Porter G. Denison, son of George P., owner of the
Clyde Hotel in 1850, merchant, supervisor, died in March, 1890; Henry
Schindler, died August 22, 1887; James M. Nichols, dry goods mer-
chant with Albert Frisbie, died the same day; Peter Fmigh, shoemaker,
farmer, died November 26, 1SS7; Thomas Smith, father of Arthur H.,
died in December, 188'.); George W. Moon, blacksmith, died in Novem-
ber, 1887; Samuel S. Morley, born in England, served as postmaster
from L862 to 1871; John Schindler, died in March, 1*74; Jacob Scott,
father of Mrs. De Lancy Stow, born in 1803, came to Clyde in 1831, hat
dealer until 1877, became an Odd Fellow in 1845, died August S, 1881 :
Thomas Tipling, crockery dealer with his brother John, and under the
firm names of Tipling & Cockshaw and Tipling & Tuttle, died October
17, 1875; JohnG. Hood, druggist; George G. De Fancy, in business with
his brother Amos N., died October 31, 1878; Philip Mark De Zeng,
lumber and coal dealer, and predecessor of A. H. Holmes, recruited
and became major of Briggs Guards, 67th N. Y. Vols., son of Philip
N,, died April 19, 1888.
Adam Fisher, the youngest of fifteen children, was born in 1811,
learned the shoemaker's and glassblower's trades, came to Clyde in
L833, and died here September 11, IS!):!. His mother attained the age
of liil and his father 104 years. He conducted a tannery for a time in
company with S. Whitman, and later became a boot and shoe dealer.
Jacob Van Husk irk, born at Buskirk's Bridge, N. Y., in ls->:i, came to
Clyde in 1842, and died here in June, L891. He was a justice of the
ce twenty years, superintendent of the Sunday school from 1859 to
is; -J and an elder in that church from 1SUS until lsso, first lieutenant
WAYNE COUNTY. 361
of Co. B 111th N. V. Vols., and the first railroad ticket agent in Clyde
in 1854. His son, Albert M., was the first superintendent and engineer
of the Clyde water works, serving from the fall of L889 until Septem-
ber. L891.
Satnuel S. Briggs, born in Chatham, N. Y., in 1803, came to Galen
in 1835, and purchased 200 acres and subsequently 300 more. He was
one of the founders of Miller's Bank, the first financial institution in the
town, and in 1856 he organized the Briggs Bank of Clyde. He died
September 3, 1865, and was succeeded by his son Samuel H. The latter
was born here in 18-14. He was president of the Briggs National Bank
in Clyde, a founder and trustee of the Presbyterian Church, and moved
to Rochester in 1882, where he died August 8, 1894.
Adrastus Snedaker, born in 1813, moved with his parents to Sodus in
1813, came to Clyde in 1838, and for sixteen years was station agent for
the " Big Line " towing company. In 1858 he was elected sheriff, and
in that capacity hanged James Fee, March 23, 1860, the first and only
person ever put to death by law in Wayne county. James W. and Al-
bert L. Snedaker, his sons, served in the Rebellion, and in their mem-
ory the Snedaker Post, No. 173, G. A. R. of Clyde was named; this post
was organized in July, 1880, with thirty members.
Daniel Saxton, the father of Hon. Charles T. Saxton, was born on
Long Island in 1822, moved to Clyde in 1845, and died here in June,
1891. With A. F. Terry he engaged in the manufacture of coach lace
and harness. (See biographical department).
Prominent among settlers may be mentioned Jacob E. Tremper, gro-
ceryman, died May 7, 1881; James Armitage, for several years town
clerk, died April 14, 1881; Ernest Lux, cooper and coal dealer, died
November 12, 1891; E. Willard Sherman, born in Rose in 1833, drug-
gist and cooper, town clerk, secretary Galen Agricultural Society, eleven
years clerk of the Board of Supervisors, died February 23, 1889; Jere-
miah Greene, moved to Sodus with his parents in 1837, graduated from
Union College in 1858, came to Clyde in 1865, ruling elder in the Pres-
byterian Church eleven years, died in October, 188!); Peter F. Ryerson,
merchant and builder, died in September, 1888; Emory W. Gurnee,
born in Sodus in 1843, came to Clyde in 1864, town clerk, village treas-
urer six years, supervisor, member of assembly in 1873; Morgan Cook-
ingham, justice of the peace and county superintendent of the poor,
died at Lock Berlin in June, 1879; Samuel V. Bockhoven, born in New
Jersey in 1800, moved to Lyons while young, thence to Lock Berlin and
262 LANDMARKS OF
Clyde, died in July, 1876; Charles E. Elliott, banker, maltster, etc.,
died April s, L873; Captain William Graham, died in 185G, and his
widow February L5, L891 ; Fredus Chapman, died July 9, 1886; Captain
William Watters, first passenger conductor over the Niagara Falls branch
of the New York Central Railroad, ticket agent at the New York Cen-
tral depot in Clyde for twenty -four years from June, 1860, died April 20,
iss| ; Ira Wells, father of ex-member of assembly E. B. Wells, born in
1794, settled early in Sodus, removed to Lyons, died in April, 1882;
Henry Graham, jr., born in 1802, blacksmith, moved to Port Glasgow
in is;51 and kept hotel, came to Rose and later to Clyde, died October
17, 1878; N. B. Gilbert, father of W. H. Gilbert, settled in Lock Berlin
in 1837, town superintendent of schools, justice of the peace, carriage
manufacturer, died there in 1875. Barber Streeter, some time post-
master at Lock Berlin, died in February, 1890. Many others of equal
note are mentioned on subsequent pages and more fully in part 2d of
this volume.
The first school house at Lock Berlin, and probably the first in Galen,
was built of logs near Black Creek about 1814; its first teacher was John
Abbott. Some nine years later it was burned and another erected half
a mile east. About four years afterward the district school was divided
between Clyde and Lock Berlin, and this school house was abandoned
and a new one built in this village. The first school building in Marengo
was erected about 1816, the first teacher being Samuel Stone and the
second James McBride. In 1 sis the school is said to have had ninety
scholars and Joseph Watson was the teacher. In Clyde the first school
was taught by William McLouth in a log house which stood on the cor-
ner of Sylvester Clarke's garden. The Clyde High School was legally
incorporated April 23, 1834, by the consolidation of districts 14 and 1 ;,
and the first trustees were William S. Stow, John Condit, George Bur-
rill, Isaac Lewis, Sylvester Clarke, and Calvin D. Tompkins. A two
story building with a high basement was erected that year on the corner
of Lock and Caroline streets; Professor William H. Sehram was the first
principal and Miss Abigail Packard the first preceptress, assisted by
three teachers. Subsequently the village was divided for school pur-
poses and a graded school established on the south side of the river, of
which Byron N. Marriott is the present principal. July i. 18 74, the
cornel- stone of the present High School building on the north side of
the river in Clyde was laid with Masonic ceremonies, and school was
opened in if that fall. It is of brick and cost $30,000. It maintains
WAYNE COUNTY. 263
primary, intermediate, and academic departments, and is under Profes-
sor Alvin B. Bishop, A.M., principal, and Florence G. Ivison, precept-
ress. It has a library of 1,575 bound volumes, and was attended dur-
ing the school year L893-94by 415 resident and 112 non-resident pupils.
Among- the various principals in charge of the school are recalled the
names of Hon. William H. Lyon, William Burnett, Professor Bennett,
John Robinson, Hugh R. Jolly, and Edward Hayward. Mr. Lyon be.
came noted as the inventor of the telegraphic printer; or, rather, as the
first to demonstrate through the medium of a model that the pen and
ink or type could be used in conveying messages; this occurred while
he was principal of this school in 184-1. The Board of Education for
L893-94 consists of George B. Greenway, president; Archibald M.
Graham, secretary and treasurer; and Willard N. Field. John G. Gil-
lette is clerk.
The town has eighteen school districts with a school house in each,
which were taught in 1892-93 by thirty teachers and attended by 1,225
children. The value of school buildings and sites is $51,275; assessed
valuation of the districts $3,367,263 ; public money received from the
State $5,137.70; raised by local tax $8,276.34.
One of the oldest burial places in Galen is situated west of Marengo,
and was opened by the Quakers in connection with their church. In
the western part of Clyde village is an old, unused burying ground, in
which the first interment was the remains of a child of Peter Moon.
The Catholics have a very pretty cemetery in the southwest part of the
village, between the railroads. The Maple Grove Cemetery Associa-
tion was organized March 25, 1859, with these officers: Samuel S. Briggs,
president; Aaron Griswold, vice-president; Leander S. Ketchum, sec-
retary ; Isaac Miller, treasurer. Thirteen acres of land were purchased
in the southeast part of the town, which has been beautified and fitted
up in a very tasty manner. The presidents of the association have been
as follows: Samuel S. Briggs, to April, 1865; Aaron Griswold, to April,
1871; Samuel H. Briggs, to April, 1882; Samuel S. Morley, to April,
1883 ; John Cockshaw, to present time. The other officers for 1894 are :
Sylvester J. Child, vice-president; George O. Baker, secretary and treas-
urer; John Cockshaw, George O. Baker, Sylvester J. Child, Samuel H.
Briggs, William D. Ely, and Archibald M. Graham, trustees.
Soon after the first settlers came in small distilleries began to spring
up and flourish in various parts of the town. Abner Hand had one near
the river two miles southeast of Clyde, and Aaron Dunn had one on his
farm. Those in Clyde are noticed further on.
164 LANDMARKS OF
During the War of the Rebellion the town of Galen made a brilliant
record, responding promptly to the various calls for troops and con-
tributing liberally of both money and men. No little credit is due the
ladies for their patriotism and substantial aid during that long conflict.
A total of 155 men went out from this town, a number of whom were
promoted to commissioned officers, and all of whom served with honor
and distinction. Dennis G. Flynn, who died in April, 1873, recruited,
parts of Company B, 111th, and Company K, 138th Regiments, and be-
came captain of the latter in 1864,
Clyde Village. — Situated near the center of the town, on the Eric-
Canal and New York Central and West Shore Railroads, the village of
Clyde is one of the most important points in Wayne county. It com-
menced an existence on the south side of the river in 1811, when Jona-
than Melvin, jr., erected the block house previously described. In this
the first town meeting was held in 1812, in which year two more log
houses were built. Soon afterward the hamlet was given the name of
" Lauraville, " from Henrietta Laura, Countess of Bath, daughter of Sir
William Pultney. William McLouth, a surveyor, laid out the original
lots and streets south of the river, and was one of the first to carry on
trade in the place. The first store was started about 1815 by James B.
West in a part of the Vanderbilt tavern. In 181? Sylvester Clarke
opened a store opposite the hotel and later moved his goods to a build-
ing now the residence of his son Sylvester H. Among the first lot own-
ers after McLouth's survey were Dennis Vanderbilt, R. James, W. Min-
derse, W. Wallace, E. Dean, D. Southwick, a Mr. Richmond, J. Wcrk,
and Tubbs and West.
The first tavern on the south side of the river was built and kept by
Dennis Vanderbilt about IS 14. It stood on the corner of Waterloo and
Water streets, and in its ball room the flrst Sunday school was organ-
ized in 1825. James Humeston a little later put up another near the
river between the two bridges. This was subsequently kept for a time
by Horatio G. Kingsbury and others, and in 183G it was burned. In
1837 Herman Jenkins built on the site what was last known as the old
Humphrey house, which was demolished in 1884 to make room for the
road bed of the West Shore Railroad. Mr. Humeston was appointed
the lirst postmaster when the post-office was established in "Laura-
ville," under the name of Galen, and kept the office in his tavern. June
1\!, L820, Sylvester Clarke was appointed to the position. In the upper
story of his building, which is still standing, the Presbyterians and Free
WAYNE COUNTY. 265
Masons held their earlier meeting's, and after a split occurred in the
former the seeeders held services here under Rev. William L. Roberts,
who also taught a select school. Arza Lewis had a store at an early
day on Water street.
( )n the north side of the River Dr. Ledyard, a Revolutionary surgeon,
received the original title to the land, and from him it passed to George
Burrill. The first frame house was built by William S. De Zeng, as
was also the first store, which stood on the site of the present Hunt
block, and which was kept by his agent, Mr. Scott. This house subse-
quently became the dwelling of William S. Stow. Mr. De Zeng never
lived here, but his business interests in Clyde were long an important
feature of the village; he died in Geneva, August 16, 1882. About 1817
this side of the river was surveyed into village lots, and in 1818 Andrew
MeNab, from the River Clyde, Scotland, came here to dispose of them.
The landscape evidently reminded him of his native heath, for he gave
the name Clyde to the Canandaigua outlet and this portion of the village.
The first tavern here was originally called the Mansion House, then
the Franklin, the Sherman, and finally the Delevan House, under which
designation it burned in November, 1885. From the steps of the
Mansion House in 1825 Dominic Moshier made the address of welcome
when Governor De Witt Clinton passed through the village on the
"Young Lion of the West, " the first canal boat that passed through
Clyde. The Exchange Hotel, subsequently known as the Eagle House,
was built on the canal bank near the glass works in 1825. Its first land-
lord was a Mr. Garrett, and directly in front of it was the old canal
lock long since torn out. Opposite was the large yellow grocery of
Strong & Harrington, and a little west was the American Hotel, once
kept by Harry Goodchild. This formed quite a settlement, but when
the lock was removed the buildings disappeared and the Eagle Hotel
was made an ashery. The site of the present Clyde Hotel was originally
occupied by the Clyde Coffee House, a two-story hostelry, erected by a
Mr. Whitmore in 1818. It was burned in 1826 while Horatio G. Kings-
bury was proprietor, and in the same year the first Clyde Hotel was
built by David Williams and Benjamin Ford. It was two stories high,
but when P. G. Denison became proprietor he added another and Peter
Ryerson subsequently built the north wing. With adjacent buildings
it was burned September 11, 1883. The present Clyde Hotel was
opened November 18, 1884. The present proprietor, F. B. Smith, ob-
tained possession in January, 1889.
34
im
LANDMARKS OF
January 6, 1830, Eber F. Moon issued the first number of the Clyde
Standard, the first paper published in Clyde, from a wood building on
the site of the S. S. I Lock (now the home of the Clyde Times I,
and which is now occupied as a tenement on Sodus street. It states
that boats passed through the Erie Canal on January 3, on their way to
Albany; it also contains the following" local advertisements: Elisha
Blakeman. select school; James Dickson, dry goods and groceries;
Mason & Pendleton, cabinet ware and furniture; William S. Stow, loo
building lots in Clyde for sale; James M. Watson, proprietor Clyde and
mekn View <>i Clyde. — From an old print, ls4n.
Geneva mail stage, three trips each way weekly ; Acker & Chapman,
I » S. Bartles, Ely, Shepard & Co., and M. L. Faulkner (dry goods), all
published notices to delinquent debtors: De Zeng & Rees, cash or
barter paid for ashes: J. W. Furnal & Co.. hatters; D. Foster, saddle
and harness maker; Clyde Hotel, Edmund B. Hill, proprietor; C.
Bartles, beer. The second newspaper was the Clyde Gazette in 1 6
In 1830 Clyde contained seven dry goods stores, ten groceries, four
hotels, two drug stores, a glass factor}-, two lawyers, an insurance office,
a printing office and newspaper, two saddle and harness makers, two
hatters, two grist mills, a saw mill, a wool carder, one cloth dresser,
two physicians, two milliners, live shoemakers, two blacksmiths, three
tailors, two tanners, four storage and forwarders, six painters, twelve
carpenters, four masons, a cabinet maker, two distilleries, one wheel-
wright, three coopers, and "upwards vt 200 houses, most of which have"
been built within the last two years."
In 1845 Clyde had eleven dry goods stores, four groceries, two drug-
inhabitants.
WAYNE COUNTY.
■>Ju
William S. Stow settled in Clyde in 1825, and the same year built his
law office west of and facing- the public square; this structure is still
standing and is occupied by his son, DeLancey Stow. It is the oldest
office in the village and in it the village government was inaugurated.
In it also Clyde village was incorporated May 2, 1835, when five trustees
were elected, as follows: William S. Stow, Samuel C. Paine, Aaron T.
Hendrick, Arza Lewis, and John Condit. Lauraville then ceased to be
and the settlements on both sides of the river have since been known as
Clyde. The post-office, as previously noted, had been called Galen,
but in 18-2 1 i, through the efforts of Representative Robert S. Rose and
William S. Stow, the name was changed to Clyde. The present post-
master is De Lancy Stow, who succeeded George G. Roe in October 1,
181)4.
The presidents of Clyde village have been as follows :
Aaron T. Hendrick, 1885,
Ira Jenkins, 1836,
Nathan P. Colvin, 1837,
William S. Stow, 1838-40,
B. M. Vanderveer, 1841,
Charles D. Lawton, 1842,
William O. Sloan, 1843,
William S. Stow, 1844,
William O. Sloan, 1845,
Albert Clark, 1846,
Luther Field, 1847,
Ambrose S. Field, 1848,
Jabez S. Amoreaux, 1849,
Charles E. Elliott, 1850,
Alfred C. Howe, 1851-53,
Samuel S. Streeter, 1854,
Samuel Weed, 1855,
Albert F. Redfield, 1856,
Adrastus Snedaker, 1857,
Aaron Griswold, 1858,
John Condit, 1859,
Byron Ford, 1869,
Solomon H. Skinner, 1861,
William H. Coffin, 1862-63,
Dr. Darwin Colvin, 1864-66,
Aaron Griswold, 1867-69,
James M. Streeter, 1870,
Aaron Griswold, 1871,
P. Ira Lape, 1872,
Aaron Gregory, 1873,
John Crowell, 1874-75,
Charles T. Saxton, 1876,
Dr. Darwin Colvin, 1877,
John Cockshaw, 1878,
Edwin Sands, 1879,
James M. Streeter, 1880,
Marcus Shafer, 1881.
Lathrop S. Taylor, 1882,
Albert F. Redfield, 1883.
Edwin Sands, 1884,
Levi Paddock, 1885,
Michael A. Fisher, 1886,
Arthur H. Smith, 1887,
Avery H. Gillette, 1888,
Charles R. Stranghan, 1889,
Albert C. Lux, 1890,
James Keesler, 1891,
James R. Miller, 1892,
Archibald M. Graham, 1893,
George B. Greenway, 1894.
Village officers for 1804: president, George B. Greenway; clerk,
Charles R. Kennedy; trustees, George B. Greenway, George W. Cowles,
Charles A. Sloan, Charles S. Skinner, H. K. Compson; collector,
268 LANDMARKS OF
John E. Haight; treasurer, William A. Hunt; chief of fire department,
John Hak ; police justice, De Lance)7 Stow.
June 3, L835, that part of the village south of the river was designated
as corporation number!, with Eleazer H. House, overseer of highways;
that part cast of Sodus street, north of the river, as corporation 2, with
Richard Wood, overseer; and that portion west of Sodus street as cor-
poration 3, with George Thompson, overseer. In 1836 the following
ordinance was enacted and has never been repealed:
That any person or persons who shall hereafter suffer or permit any playing with
cards, or dice, or other gatning-table or shuffle-board, or shall permit any kind of
gaming by lot or chance, within his or her house, out-house, yard, or garden, within
the village of Clyde, shall, for every offense, forfeit or pay into the village treasury
the sum of ten dollars.
On May 14, 1840, the charter was amended and authorized the trus-
tees to raise ',1,(100 to extinguish the debt incurred in purchasing a fire
engine. May'.', 1855, and in May, 1873, the charter was further amended;
on the latter date it increased the corporate limits to four square miles,
making the center of the public square the center of the village and
allowing $2,000 per annum to be raised for expenses; before that $1,000
was the maximum sum. In February, 1874, a special bill was enacted
by the Legislature authorizing the trustees to levy and collect a tax of
$6,000, in addition to the regular tax, to pay the village debt to that
date.
The first public hall, a wooden structure, stood on the site of the
present one; it was burned April 20, 1870, and an act was passed en-
abling the town and village to jointly raise $4,000 to erect a new build-
ing. This was legally authorized at a special election May 3, 1870, and
the present hall was built during that and the following year. It is of
brick and contains the village offices, the fire department headquarters,
and an opera house.
On April K), 1824, Eli Frisbie, Simeon Griswold, and James Dickson
were appointed commissioners to build a bridge over the river at Clyde,
and the supervisor was empowered to raise $1,000 for the purpose. This
bridge took the place of the first one built at this point in L810, and
stood on the site of the present upper bridge. In L867 the old wooden
bridge at the corner of Geneva and Griswold streets was replaced by a
stone one.
The first license granted for a public entertainment was dated June 8,
L835, and permitted " Noel E. Waring to exhibit for one day, on the
WAYNE COUNTY. 269
24th inst. , his Zoological Institute Association, Menagerie and Aviary,
and also his paintings andSerpant," in consideration of the payment of
$10. The .first band of musicians in Clyde was organized in L839 under
the leadership of Major Gilbert, of Palmyra; he was succeeded in L840
by Major Pitman, who was paid a salary of $400 a year. This band dis-
banded about 1854. In 1860 the Wells Cornet Band was organized, and
in L878 the Saxton Band was formed.
The Clyde Fire Department was instituted January 7, 1830, by the
appointment of sixteen persons as a hook and ladder company. In 1 841
the Cataract hand engine was purchased for $1,000 and the first engine
company was then organized. October 20, 1857, the old Cataract com-
pany was reorganized into the Niagara Fire Company No. 2, to man the
engine Niagara, which had been purchased October 7 at a cost of $1,000;
this engine and hose were destroyed in the glass works fire July 24,
1 873. The old Cataract engine, long since disused, is still in possession
of the Ever Readys. In 1872 two dams were constructed in the Erie
Canal to retain water for use at fires. In September, 1873, the village
purchased a Silsby steamer and 1,000 feet of hose for $5,000, and in the
same year the Protectives Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was organ-
ized. In June, 1886, a fire bell was placed in the town hall. In May,
1889, a new truck costing $1,000 was purchased for the Protectives, and
a new chemical extinguisher was bought for the Ever Ready Hose Com-
pany No. 2.
Among the more disastrous fires that have visited the village may be
mentioned the following: July 24, 1873, glass factory, loss about $55,-
000; in September, 1874, same place, loss $3,000; in October, 1874, the
Newman House, loss $8,000; March 28, 1878, Barse block, loss $10,000;
September 11, 1883, Clyde Hotel, St. John's Episcopal Church, Gillette
blocks, etc., loss $25,000; January 17, 1889, on Columbia street, loss
$12,000; January8, 1890, same street, loss $7,000; January 16, 1890,
on Glasgow street, loss $7,000.
The project of providing an adequate water supply for Clyde was
agitated in 1883, and on January 17, 1885, the Clyde Water Works Com-
pany was organized. Nothing was done, however, until 1887, when the
matter was revived. On May 14, 1888, the present water works com-
pany was formally organized and in the same month a contract was
signed with the Bassett Brothers to construct the existing system. The
village bound itself to pay $1,600 annually for five years for water for
fire protection. Twelve wells were sunk on the N. G. Moore farm in
270 LANDMARKS OF
the western part of the corporation, and a steel water tower with a ca-
pacity of 200,000 gallons, was erected on Rees hill. A pumping sta-
tion equipped with two boilers and a compound duplex engine was
erected ami the system went into operation in the fall of 1889. Albert
W. Van Buskirk was appointed the first superintendent and engineer,
and held the position until he resigned in September, L891, when the
present incumbent. E. M. Ellinwood, took charge. Since the inception
of the water works the engines and steamer have been superseded, in
ease of lire, by hose attached to the hydrants.
The Clyde Board of Trade was organized in L890, and has sinee been
the means of materially advancing the commercial growth of the
village.
The gas works of Clyde were started about L856, and have continued
to supply the village and individuals with gas sinee that date. The
works are situated on the south side of the canal, west of the upper
bridge, and are now in charge of George Tuffts.
The Clyde Electric Company was incorporated September 20, 1890,
by E. Fred Stoetzel (president), Charles II. Ford (vice-president),
E. M. Mclntyre (secretary and treasurer), Calvin Mclntyrc, and J.
George Kaelber, with a capital of $25,000, which has remained un-
changed. The plant was erected that fall and placed in operation
December 25, in a brick building between the canal and the Central
Railroad, west of Sodus street. It is the only plant burning 2,000 candle
power arc lights in streets between Syracuse and Rochester. They
have thirty-eight are street lamps and about 500 incandescent lamps,
and a wired system of fourteen miles. The present officers are : D. M.
Wright, president; Nathan Shaw, vice-president; E. M. Mclntyre,
secretary and treasurer.
The banking interests of Clyde date from L837, when Miller's Bank
was established through the influence of Messrs. Briggs, Ford, Chap-
man, Smith, Griswold, Redlield, and De Zeng. Stocks were issued to
farmers in exchange for mortgages, which became the securities under
State law. The bank did a large business, but it failed in 1843,
spreading disaster in every direction. January ;, L851, Isaac Miller
organized the Commercial Bank of Clyde; but he failed in 1869 with
heavy liabilities. In L865 Mr. Miller, father of Isaae, established the
First National Bank of Clyde, he tilling the office of president, anil
William II. Miller, son of Isaac, cashier. This bank also failed in 1869.
Charles Hamilton, who was born in Steuben county in 181'.), came to
WAYNE COUNTY. r, \
Clyde about L859, and for several years prior to his death (February 23,
L893) conducted a private banking- business.
The Briggs Bank of Clyde was incorporated in 1856, under the
State law, as the Briggs Bank, with Samuel S. Briggs, president,
and William H. Coffin, cashier and principal manager. Its capital was
about $70,000, and among its stockholders were Messrs. Briggs, Coffin,
Redheld, and Ketchum. In 1859 Mr. Briggs became by purchase the
sole owner. January 28, 1860, Aaron Griswold bought a one-half
interest, and at the death of Mr. Briggs in September, 1865, he sold out
to Samuel H. Briggs, son of Samuel S., who also acquired his father's
interest. In the same year S. H. Briggs sold a part of the business to
Lewis H. Palmer, and in the fall of 1866 its circulation was called in,
its securities in possession of the State redeemed, and it became a
private bank under the name of Briggs & Palmer. In March, 1880, it
closed business under this title, and April 19 following began anew
as the Briggs National Bank with paid in capital of $50,000, and with
these officers: Samuel H. Briggs, president; Lewis H. Palmer, vice-
president; J. W. Hinman, cashier; W. A. Hunt, assistant cashier.
These, and W. S. Hunt and George W. Cowles, constitute the Board of
Directors.
In March, 1869, Aaron Griswold and Charles E. Elliott purchased the
office fixtures of the defunct First National Bank and started a private
bank on the corner of Columbia and Glasgow streets; in the next year
it was removed to the corner of Glasgow and Ford streets. The firm
name of Griswold & Elliott was soon changed to Griswold, Elliott &
Company, and subsequently to Griswold & Gurnee. In May, 1874, Mr.
Griswold retired and the firm became Gurnee & wStreeter, but on June
1, 1876, Aaron Griswold repurchased the entire business and conducted
it until his death in February, 1883, when it was discontinued.
In 1832 a company consisting of eight men was formed in Clyde for
the purpose of manufacturing salt. A well 400 feet deep was sunk and
$1,800 were expended in promoting the enterprise. Brine was obtained
in small quantity, but when exposed to the air it turned red. An
artesian well was put down near the glass works which emitted gas and
produced a weak brine. In May, 1887, a company was organized with
a capital of $3,000; the trustees were: W. D. Ely, J. M. Streeter, A. H.
Smith, W. H. Groesbeck, and George O. Baker. On September 13, a
well was commenced on the vacant lot near the glass works; at a depth
of 340 feet the Niagara formation appeared, at 675 feet the Clinton
LANDMARKS OF
group, and at 758 feet the Medina sandstone, and at 1,792 feet work
was suspended. At 1 1<> feet mineral water was found, and at 175 feet
salt water was struck; at 685 feet a pocket of gas was encountered; this
was 'Darned for some time, but was never utilized.
The Clyde mineral springs were analyzed by Professor Hadley, of
Geneva College, in 184-1, and found to contain the following ingredients:
muriate of soda, 55 gr. ; muriate of lime, 30 gr. ; sulphate and muriate
of magnesia, 12 gr. ; a gallon of the water contains 288 grains of saline
matter. In 1893 a well was sank in the middle of the public square
which produces water strongly impregnated with mineral substances.
About the year 1820 William S. De Zeng purchased a tract of land
within the present limits of Clyde, and with James R. Rees founded the
present glass works in 1827. It was then simply a window glass factory,
and the corner stone was laid March 27, 1828, under the superintendence
of Major Frederic A. De Zeng. The proprietors since that time have
been as follows:
William S. De Zeng, James R. Rees (De Zeng & Rees); Charles S. De Zeng; Dr.
Hiram Mann; Lawrence De Zeng, Abner Burlingame, Theodore Hinman (De Zeng
& Co.); James H. Stokes; James H. Stokes, William C. Ely (Stokes & Ely); James II.
Stokes; II. H. Stevens, Isaac Miller (Stevens & Miller); H. H. Stevens, Isaac Miller,
C. E. Elliott, H. G. Groesbeck (Stevens, Miller & Co.); Isaac Miller, George Rowell,
Cornelius Miller (Miller, Rowell & Co.); William C. Ely; Dr. Linus Ely; Orrin South-
wick; Orrin Southwick, Charles W. Reed, John Schindler, George H. Hoyt (South-
wick, Reed & Co.); William C. Ely, Charles W. Reed, John Schindler, George H.
Hoyt (Ely, Reed & Co.); William C. Ely, Charles W. Reed, George H. Hoyt (Ely.
Reed & Co.).
From IS^S to 1864 the window glass factor)- alone was run. In 1864
tlie bottle factory was started, the first firm being Southwick & Woods
(Orrin Southwick and Almon Woods); then Southwick & Reed (Orrin
Southwick and Charles W. Reed). Afterward both factories were
under the management of Southwick, Reed & Co.
On July 24, 1873, the establishment was burned, but was at once re-
built. In 1878 the buildings underwent repairs and the old corner stone
was replaced by anew one August 10. In isso Mr. Rco(] retired and
the (inn became Fly, Son & Hoyt, by the admission of Charles 1). Ely.
William C. Ely died September 20, L886, since which time the firm name
has been William C. Ely's Sons & Hoyt (Charles 1). and William D.
Ely and George II. Hoyt.) Window glass and bottles, fruit jars, etc.,
are made, and the product is sent to all parts of the country.
In 1831 Condit & Van Buren established a foundry in a wooden build-
WAYNE COUNTY. 273
ing; and a little later the firm became Whiting, Humphrey & Co., who,
in 1843, sold to Dolph, Humphrey & Co. The latter erected a stone
building and added the manufacture of machinery and here the business
has ever since been conducted. Among their successors were A. S.
Field, Humphrey & Wood, Millard Olmstead, F. Humphrey, Wood &
Chandler. December 1, 1866, S. W. & S. H. Wood purchased the con-
cern and carried on business until the death of S. H. Wood, when S. W.
assumed the business. In 1887 the latter admitted his son Henry I.
as partner under the style of S. W. Wood & Son. They make traction,
portable, and stationary engines, iron and brass castings, and do a gen-
eral machine business.
In 1866 the First National Paper Manufacturing Company of Clyde
was organized, with Dr. Darwin Colvin, president, and erected a build-
ing with a weekly capacity of nine tons of manilla wrapping paper.
The next year the Clyde Paper Manufacturing Company, of which Aaron
Griswold was president, began making printing paper. After running
about two years, at a heavy loss, both mills were closed. One of the
buildings was afterwards used by T. P. Thorn as a malt house, and in
August, 1877, it was burned with a loss of $11,000.
Isaac Scott, a Quaker, is said to have started the first tannery in
Clyde. William Andrews became his partner and when Roberts &
Rose assumed the business Mr. Scott established another on the north
side of the river. The tannery of Roberts & Rose was finally converted
into a dwelling and occupied by Asahel Tichnor, Ezra Furman, and
others, and eventually was torn down. Root & King also had a tan-
nery here at an early day, and failed about 1835.
In 1818 William S. De Zeng's father built a dam across Clyde River
west of the lower bridge, and the son erected a grist mill on the north
side of the stream just west of the site of the mineral spring. In early
days another mill was built west of the lower bridge and a carding mill
on the north side of the river below that bridge. The first steam grist
mill was erected by Ford & Smith where the lumber yard is now situated.
It was purchased by Aaron Griswold, Charles S. De Zeng, W. C. Ely,
and H. G. Groesbeckin 1851, who sold it in 1854 to Briggs, Coffin &Co. ,
by whom it was converted into a distillery. It burned and was not re-
built. Mr. Griswold and Fredus Chapman purchased in 1843 two grist
mills and a saw mill which at that time constituted the milling interests
of Clyde, and the two men also engaged in mercantile business. Mr.
Griswold subsecpiently soldhis interest to Luther Redfield, jr. In 1854
35
274 LANDMARKS OF
Cornelius Miller erected a brewery and malt house which his son, John
C, transformed into a grist mill, and its proprietors have since been
James H. Congdon, 1857; Zina Hooker, 1863; Louis Strumm and John
Hartman, 1864 ; Mary Hartman, 1874; and Wood & Keesler since L883.
The latter have enlarged and remodeled the mill and substituted the
roller process for stones. S. Skinner built a steam saw and grist mill on
the south side of the river which subsequently passed to Joel Thorn.
It was demolished in 1883 to make room for the West Shore Railroad.
The malting business, though carried on in a quiet manner, forms one
of Clyde's most important industries. In 1854 Cornelius Miller erected
a brewery and malt house previously mentioned; upon the death of
Louis Strumm it was leased for four years by A. H. Smith. Capacity
12,000 bushels. Charles E. Elliott had a malt house near the present
foundry, and his successors were Reed & Elliott, A. H. Smith, and
Charles R. Kennedy, since 1880. Capacity 30,000 bushels. Mr. Ken-
nedy also leases a malt house of C. W. Reed. In I860 Charles Gordon
converted one floor of his warehouse into a malting establishment with
a capacity of 8,000 bushels. S. D. & J. M. Streeter purchased the
building, and in 1806 increased its capacity to 60,000 bushels. In 1891
S. D. Streeter sold his interest to George B. Greenway, who one year
later became sole proprietor, enlarging its capacity to 100,000 bushels.
John Stevens & Company started a malt house capaple of carrying
about 15,000 bushels. Thomas P. Thorn succeeded as proprietor and
also to that of the Newlove brewery adjoining, and in 1867 he enlarged
the latter, making the combined capacity 100, 000 bushels. Thorn &
Fox started a malt house in the old paper mill on the south side of the
river about 1864, but abandoned it some four years later. In 18(18 the
Nichols warehouse was converted into a malt house with a capacity of
12,000 bushels. Upon the death of Mr. Nichols, Charles W. Reed
bought the property, enlarged it to a capacity of 60,000 bushels, and
excepting two years, when he was in partnership with A. II. Smith,
has since conducted it. Mclntyrc & Warner's malt house was built as
a storehouse by Calvin Mclntyre. Its capacity, formerly 35,000 bushels,
was increased in L889 to 158,000 bushels. Thomas Smith built a malt
house in L856 with a capacity of 8,000 bushels, which he increased, until
in 1867 it was 100,000. In lssl he associated his son Arthur II. in a
partnership styled T. Smith & Son, which continued until L888, when
J. K. Souther, a Boston brewer, and A. II. Smith bought the concern
as the Smith Malting Company. In L89Q Mr. Souther purchased his
WAYNR COUNTY. J7r,
partner's interest and continues the business under the above name. In
1890 Arthur H. Smith bought the site of the old Franklin House ad
joining the Central Railroad and erected his present malt house;
capacity 100,000 bushels.
George A. Brown opened a harness shop in Clyde in 1872, and from
that year to the present gradually increased the business, employing
now about fifty-five hands in making harness for the trade and turning
out $90,000 in goods annually. He has occupied his present quarters
since 18G4, and also deals in carriages, wagons, etc.
The canning factory of Hemingway & Company was started in the
old paper mill building in 1878. They have since erected a large plant
and carry on an extensive business.
The Clyde Creamery Company was incorporated in the summer of
1 89 I, and a factory placed in operation in August of that year.
Of the merchants in Clyde thirty years ago Ambrose S. Field, Jacob
.Strauss, and Sylvester J. Childs are the only ones who still continue
business. Chester A. Ward opened a general store in 1838, and after-
ward had George M. Closs as partner; on the death of the latter the
business was closed out. Mr. Ward was elected sheriff on the Whig
ticket, moved west, and died in Michigan in February, 1892. Among
other old-time merchants in the village were: Frisbie & Nichols, A.
Mundy, Isaac Miller, Halsted & Clark, Luther Redfield, jr., Frederick
Bellamy, J. D. Stone, S. J. Sayles, Edward Canfield, Ely & Mead,
Scott & Dickinson, and J. C. Atkins. Jacob Zearfoz, a German bach-
elor, had a hat factory here in early da3^s.
The Clyde marble and granite works of Edward B. Wells was estab-
lished by him in 1860. In 1873 he represented the First Assembly
District of Wayne county in the Legislature.
The S. S. Briggs brick block, one of the oldest in the village, was
erected in 1851; the A. E. Adams block, three stories, in 1869; the
Adams block, two stories, in 1882; and the L. W. Burton brick build-
ing, also in 1882. Other handsome and imposing brick blocks have
been erected from time to time, giving the main street (Glasgow) of the
village quite a metropolitan appearance.
Clyde village now contains three dry goods stores, three hardware
stores, seven groceries, three boot and shoe stores, five millinery stores,
two jewelry stores, three clothing stores, three drug stores, one news
room, a photograph gallery, three furniture establishments, one furniture
repair shop, two printing offices and newspapers, two hotels, three
276 LANDMARKS OF
liveries, two flouring mills, seven malt houses, three coal dealers, one
lumber yard, one produce dealer, five lawyers, six physicians, three
dentists, four meat markets, two marble works, one warehouse, a
machine shop, two cooper shops, a district graded school, a high school,
five churches, and a population of 2,638.
Lock Berlin. — This place was first settled by Solomon Ford in 1805.
He bought one hundred acres of land mainly on the south side of the
canal, which five years later became a prosperous farm. In his neighbor-
hood in 1812 James Showers, John and McQuiller Parish, and John
Acker each purchased one hundred acres and settled. The last survivor
of these families was Mrs. Delia Gernard, daughter of John Parish.
The first frame house was built by David Ford in 1817 on the farm
owned by the heirs of Daniel Jennison. David, William, and Benjamin
Ford erected and opened the first store in 1824, and in connection
therewith conducted a distillery, a brick yard, a cooper shop, and an
ashery. Aaron Griswold and William Ford started a second mercantile
business here in 1831, but a year or two later Alfred Griswold, brother
of Aaron, purchased Mr. Ford's interest, and the two continued trade
until March, 1836. N. B. Gilbert, father of W. H. Gilbert, came here
in 1837 and engaged in carpentering; in 1849 he began making carriages,
which he continued until his death in 1875.
It has generally been claimed that the post-office was first established
in William Ford's store, and it is probable that he was the first post-
master. The present incumbent is James Dunkley. James Darned
and Seth Brown, the first road commissioners of Galen, were prominent
residents of the hamlet ; and Samuel Brockner was one of its earliest
blacksmiths. In 1838, and for many years before, a tavern furnished
entertainment for travelers. William Griswold had the lock grocery at
an early day and went to New York each fall and spring to buy goods,
purchasing generally from forty to fifty casks of whisky and a liberal
supply of rum, gin, and brandy. At that time the place contained
about seventy-five inhabitants. The temperance movement long since
suppressed the large number of bar rooms and lias given to Lock Berlin
a respectable reputation. Situated on the canal and the Central Rail-
road, in the west part of the town, the little hamlet now contains a
store, post-office, evaporator, district school, church, and the usual
shops.
M \kkm;o. — This little village is the site of the first settlement in
Galen. It is situated in the southwest part of the town on lot 95, on
WAYNE COUNTY. 277
the Montezuma turnpike, a half mile north from the county line.
Thomas Beadle, of Junius, Seneca county, originally owned the land,
and in 1800 settled his son Laomi upon it. The latter erected the first
house and the first saw mill, and Edward G. Ludlow started the first
store in 1818; this was in charge of his agent, Cyrus Smith, who was in
that year appointed the first postmaster; the present official is David
H. Perry. About 1818 Edward Wing built and opened the first tavern,
and Nathan Blodgett started an ashery. The village was rapidly sur-
rounded by thrifty farmers, most of whom were Quakers, who long im-
parted to the community an influence for good. They early established
a church of their sect and have maintained their simple doctrines and
quiet reserve through the intervening years to the present day.
Angell's Corners, three miles east of Marengo and half a mile north
from the county line, is a small rural hamlet of a few farm houses.
Meadville, or Lock pit, is a little settlement on the canal near the
southeast corner of the town. It has a grocery and a few dwellings.
Churches. — The oldest religious organization in this town is the
Galen Preparatory Meeting of Friends, which was formed in 1815 into
a regular monthly meeting to be held alternately in the towns of Junius
and Galen. Among the first members from this town were : David
Beadle, Stephen Y. Watson, James Tripp, Daniel and Nathan Strang,
Mathew Rogers, and Henry Bonnell. Five years prior to this they had
organized the above society in conjunction with Junius, and until 1812
meetings were held occasionally in a log meeting house near Marengo ;
in that year their present house of worship was built one-fourth of a
mile west of that village. After, several years' experience as a regular
monthly meeting the organization changed back to the Galen Prepara-
tory Meeting of Friends, which title it still retains.
The First Presbyterian Church of Clyde was organized by Rev.
Francis Pomeroy, of Lyons, and Rev. Hippocrates Roe, of Palmyra,
July 8, 1814, with these members: Samuel Garlic, William Diddie, Ezra
and Nabby Lewis, John and Sally Grow, and Erastus Wilder. On the
following day the Presbyterian form of government was adopted, and
Samuel Garlic, Erastus Wilder, and Ezra Lewis were chosen elders;
Erastus Wilder, deacon; Rev. Francis Pomeroy, stated moderater;
Samuel Garlic, clerk. At this meeting Tamar, wife of Erastus Wilder,
became the first member admitted to the society, and on July 10, Huldah
and Charlotte Grow, Lydia Elizabeth Wilder, and John A. Addison
were christened and baptized into the church by Rev. Mr. Roe. The
278 LANDMARKS OF
church was attended by supplies until July, 1820, when Rev. Charles
Mosher was made the first pastor; he was succeeded among' others by
Maltby Gelston, Joseph Fisher, S. J. M. Beebe, J. W. Roy, John
Ward, Robert E. Wilson (sixteen years), J. R. Young-, A. C. Roe, and
W. H. Bates (twelve years). The present pastor is Rev. J. C. Mead,
and the society has about 200 members. The society worshiped a few
years in the school house south of the river, and then in the upper story
of Sylvester Clarke's store, the same now occupied by his son Sylvester
H. as a dwelling. The first house of worship stood on the corner of
Lock and Caroline streets; was of wood and cost $5,500 ; its cornerstone
was laid in August, 1829. In 1870 it was superseded by the present
imposing brick edifice, the corner stone of which was laid August 20.
The church cost about $30,000. It was dedicated November 30, 1871.
The parsonage was donated to the society by General Charles P. Kings-
bury of Watertown, Mass., as a memorial to his mother, who was long
one of its members.
On the 4th of April, 1821, the Galen Sabbath School Society was
organized at the house of Ephraim Marsh with the following officers:
Rev. Charles Mosher, superintendent; Dea. John Leavenworth, vice-
superintendent; James Humeston, secretary; Dr. John Lewis, treasurer;
Oliver Whitmore, Joel Blakeman, Sylvester Clarke, Capt. Jerry Darrow,
and Asahel Tickner, trustees. It had thirty-two teachers and was
attended by children of all the church-going families in the village and
its vicinity. Shortly afterwards it was merged into the Presbyterian
church and among its subsequent superintendents was Jacob T. Van
Buskirk from 1859 to 1873, who increased its membership from fifty-
seven to over 300. It now lias an average attendance of L25, with G. A.
Brown, superintendent.
The First Baptist Church of Clyde was organized as early as 1*1 H,
and Rev. Joseph Potter was the first pastor; but owing to the loss (A'
the records to 1843. further information concerning its early history
cannot be obtained. The erection of an edifice was begun soon after
the formation of the society— an edifice that has since been remodeled
into the present church. In L843 the pastor was Rev. Mr. Maxwell,
and following him came Revs. Mitchell, Weld), Vrooman, Loomis,
Gilbert, Cormac, Cooley, and Hubbard, the latter serving in 1858-59.
Dissension sprang up in the church which threatened its existence, and
it was finally decided to dissolve and reorganize thesociety. September
10, 180 1, and soon after the old church had formally disbanded, a meet-
WAYNE COUNTY. 279
ing for reorganization was held and the present society was formed.
In September the legal organization and recognition by council took
place in Parker's hall. The new church had fifty members and these
officers: P. Sloan, A. Devereaux, J. Vandenberg, B. Jones, and J. S.
Lamereaux, trustees; A. De Laney, treasurer; La Fontaine Russell and
Hiram Burton, deacons. The first pastor of the new society was Rev.
William H. Steegar; the present pastor is Rev. C. H. Howes, who is
also moderator of the Wayne Baptist Association, 1893-94. In 1864 the
church building was partially sold to the Free Methodists, who still own
a half interest ; but the new Baptist society has always used it for their
meetings. It is a brick structure on Sodus street, and cost about
$2,500. In 1877 it was remodeled at a cost of $4,319, and on October 3,
of that year, it was dedicated. The church has about one hundred
members and a Sunday school with an average attendance of seventy-
five scholars; the superintendent is W. L. Devereaux.
The First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Clyde was
organized in the village school-house by Revs. Isaac Chase and Joseph
Gardner, November 23, 1824, the first trustees being Jabez Cook, Ben-
jamin B. Wright, and Isaac Chase. In 1831 their first house of worship
was finished and dedicated at a cost of about $1,900. It was of wood
and was used until 1859, when a brick structure was erected on the
corner of Sodus and Caroline streets. Enlarged and its length increased
to one hundred feet it was rededicated November 23, 1871 ; it was again
remodeled and refurnished in 1892. The church proper including the
parsonage is valued at about $30,000, and the society has a membership
of 375. The Rev. John Robinson was appointed for two years as first
pastor of the new society. From the organization in 1824 to 1833 the
church was in a circuit. The first regular appointment was in 1833,
when Philo E. Brown was pastor. The present pastor is Rev. David
Keppel. The Sunday school was organized in 1824, and now has an
average attendance of about 200; superintendent, J. W. Hinman.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Lock Berlin was organized in the
school house in 1835 with about twenty-five members. Prior to this,
however, services had been held in the place by Methodist preachers,
prominent among whom was Rev. Loren Riley. The church building-
was erected in 1838 and cost $1,200. Among the first pastors were Rev.
Silas Bolls, Joseph C. Chapman, and Rensselaer Harrington, the latter
of whom died recently in Lyons. The society has about forty mem-
bers, under Rev. W. C. Burbank.
280 LANDMARKS OF
St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church of Clyde was organized in the
High School building- September 26, 1840, the first officers being:
James C. Adkins, senior warden; Charles A. Rose, junior warden;
William H. Griswold, Josiah N. Westcott, William S. Stow, James R.
Rees, Daniel H. Allen, Henry Goodchild, Charles D. Lawton, and
William H. Adams, vestrymen. Rev. Benjamin W. Stone, D.D., was
the first rector. In 1842 the first church edifice, a wooden building,
was erected on the site of Harmony Hall at a cost of $1,200, and was
consecrated by Bishop William Heathcote De Lancy, D.D., in May of
that year. In 1845 it was moved to the north side of the public square,
west of the Clyde Hotel, on the site of Mrs. J. R. Muth's present
dwelling; here it was burned September 11, 1883. The present hand-
some stone edifice was built in 1884, and is valued at $18,000. The
corner stone was laid by Bishop Coxe of Buffalo, September 13, 1884,
and the church opened for service just one year from that day. The
parish has about eighty communicants. Rev. Richard T. Kerfoot has
been rector since January, 1892. The officers for 1894 are: Homer
Daboll, senior warden; De Lancey Stow, junior warden; Clark Potts,
Dr. J. N. Arnold, Robert Nichols, George B. Green way, and P. H.
Kenyon, vestrymen. The society owns a brick rectory east of the
church. The Sunday school has an average attendance of about fifty,
under H. Cady, superintendent. In the chapel of this church is a pipe
organ that is cherished as a memorable relic of the past. It was donated
to this parish by the Trinity church of Geneva in 184(i in consideration
of the fact that many of the members here formerly belonged to that
body. It was used until about 1890, when it was replaced by a hand-
some pipe organ costing $2,000. The old organ is said to have been
the first of its kind in this State and the first instrument purchased by
the Trinity church of New York city. Upon the solicitation of Rev.
Davenport Phelps it was secured as a gift by the Trinity church of
Geneva soon after the formation of that society.
St. John's Roman Catholic Church of Clyde had its inception in
services of that denomination which were held in Thomas Hickey's
building by Rev. Father Gilbride about 1845. Priests occasionally
visited the village until 1851, when the first edifice, a wooden building,
was erected at a cost of $1,300. It was in the Lyons charge and Rev.
Thomas O'Brien was the first pastor. In the spring of 1869 the corner
stone of the present brick and stone edifice was laid, and on Christmas
following midnight mass was celebrated therein by Rev. J. P. Stewart,
WAYNE COUNTY. 281
to whom great credit is due for its erection. It was consecrated in
August, 1870, by Bishop McQuaid and Father Stewart. The building
cost $22,500. The parish has 1,000 communicants. The present pastor
is Rev. Father J. J. Gleason. The presbytery south of the church was
built in 1872, and remodeled in 1891. The Sunday school was begun
in 1856; it now has an attendance of eighty scholars, under the super-
intendence of Father Gleason.
The German Lutheran Church of Clyde was organized in the old
M. E. edifice in 1859, and occupied it until 1864 on a lease. The first
pastor was Rev. Mr. Stahlsmith. Among his successors were Revs.
Thompson, Schmaltzel, Schapple, and Manns. The society purchased
a half interest in the old M. E. church building in 1864. Services were
maintained with some irregularity until a year or two ago, but the
society has become weak in numbers and is practically disbanded.
The Free Methodist Church of Clyde was organized in Harmony Hall
by Rev. William Cooley early in 1864. The first trustees were : Samuel
Fornecook, Henry Baker, Henry Cole, Harrison Holcomb, P. Grim-
shaw, Isaac Hammond, Philip Sours, and B. Griner. The first pastor
was Rev. J. B. Stacey, and the present pastor is O. M. Owen. The
church is in the Rose charge and the pastor resides at Rose Valley. In
1864 the society purchased the old Baptist building, but through a legal
technicality it passed back to that organization. The same year the
Free Methodists, jointly with the German Lutherans, bought the old
M. E. edifice, the former's half interest costing them $1,600. It was
dedicated in the fall of 1864. A Sunday school was organized in 1864.
The Universalists formerly maintained occasional services in Clyde,
but never effected an organization. From 1859 to 1864 they used the
old M. E. church buildingf on a lease.
36
282 LANDMARKS OF
CHAPTER XIX.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF WOLCOTT.
The old town of Wolcott, comprising- the present towns of Butler,
Wolcott, Huron, and Rose, was set off from the north end of Junius,
Seneca county, on the 24th of March, 1807, but a legal organization was
not effected until April, 1810. June 11, 1814, a special town meeting
was convened to consider the question of uniting with the town of
Galen (then including Savannah). Sterling, Cato, Hannibal, and Ly-
sander in the formation of a new county to be known as Pern, but the
delegates appointed were instructed to vote against the proposition.
The subject was revived in 1815, but was soon abandoned. About
1823 it was once more agitated, and this time effectively, but not with-
out considerable difficulty in the adjustment of boundary lines. Among
the committeemen appointed for the purpose were Amos Snyder, Nor-
man Sheldon, Thomas Armstrong, and Elisha Plank. Huron and
Butler both wanted to include Wolcott village, while the settlers in the
vicinity of Red Creek were willing to accommodate either town so as to
make their village the principal point in the new township. The mat-
ter was finally settled and the three towns were set off, as at present
constituted, in 1826, viz.: Rose on February 5; Huron on February
25; and Butler on February 26, leaving Wolcott with its present assessed
area of 20,828^ acres.
The town lies in the northeast corner of Wayne county, and is bounded
on the north by Lake Ontario, on the east by Cayuga county, on the
south by Butler, and on the west by Huron and the lake. The surface
is undulating with a general inclination toward Lake Ontario. The soil
is a sandy and gravelly loam and susceptible of easy cultivation. Port
Bay, in the northeast corner of the town, extends inland several miles
and receives the waters of Wolcott Creek, which Hows from Butler
through Wolcott village, where it affords valuable mill sites. In the
northeast corner is Blind Sodus Bay, so named from the sand-bar which
stretches across its mouth from the west shore. Between these arc two
smaller bays, the east one of which receives the waters of Big and
WAYNE COUNTY. 283
Little Red Creeks, the former flowing through the village of Red
Creek. These and two or three other small streams, all flowing to-
wards Lake Ontario, afford excellent drainage and several good mill
privileges.
Agriculture forms the chief industry of the inhabitants. The soil is
well adapted to all kinds of farming and fruit raising. Apples, pears,
peaches, plums, raspberries, etc., are grown with profit, and of late-
years the cultivation of tobacco has received more or less attention.
Originally the town was covered with a heavy growth of timber indig-
enous to this latitude, which furnished employment to a number of
saw mills, all of which, with the exception perhaps of a few portable
concerns, have long since gone down.
North of Wolcott village and along Big Red Creek are several beds
of iron ore. The bed near the village of Red Creek has been worked
in past years with considerable profit. In various parts of the town
evidence of salt water have been discovered. In 1887 the Wolcott Gas
and Mining Company, of which Jefferson W. Hoag was president, sunk
a well inside the limits of Wolcott village to a depth of 2,700 feet.
Brine and natural gas were found, the latter in considerabla quantities,
but neither was ever utilized.
The town was settled with a class of hardy, resolute men and women,
who were endowed with sterling traits of character and remarkable
powers of endurance, and whose keen perception, habits of thrift, and
personal characteristics are inherited by their descendants and perme-
ate the communities in which they lived. The pioneers, with very few
exceptions, have passed away, but the fruits of their labors are visible
on every hand. The fertile fields, the beautiful orchards, the pleasant
and commodious homes, the thriving villages — all are living monu-
ments to their hardships and privations, while the numerous schools
and churches attest the standard of their ideas of civilization.
The town derived its name from Oliver Wolcott, governor of Con-
necticut, from which State and Massachusetts many of the first settlers
originally came. It lies wholly within the old Military Tract. The
original town extended south to Galen and Savannah and west to the
new pre-emption line, and when the latter boundary was established
all of the present town of Huron, nearly all of Rose, and the western
parts of Wolcott and Butler were made over to the Pultney estate as
compensation. From that estate Capt. Charles Williamson, the founder
of Sodus Point, received title to the entire tract in payment for money
284 LANDMARKS OF
advanced in the purchase of previous patents. It thus became known
as Williamson's patent.
During the earlier settlement of Wolcott the chief means of trans-
portation was by way of Sloop Landing, an important port on the east
side of Great Sodus Bay, between the present sites of Port Glasgow
and Bonnicastle. Thither all produce was drawn, whence it was shipped
to Canada or down the St. Lawrence. It promised a brilliant future
and maintained a wide prestige for many years. But the Erie Canal
drew nearly all the commerce southward, and Sloop Landing gradually
fell into decay. The New York Central Railroad, through the south-
ern part of the count}', had a marked influence upon the settlement and
development of this section, but its most important acquisition was the
Lake Ontario Shore Railroad (now the R. , W. & O. ), which was com-
menced in 1871 and completed through the town, with stations at Wol-
cott and Red Creek, in 1874. At Red Creek the old settlers, on August
23, 1871, made the occasion memorable by formally breaking ground
for the line with appropriate ceremonies. To aid in the construction
of this railroad the town was bonded at seven per cent., the bonds be-
ing exchanged February 1, 1882, for five per cent, bonds, amounting to
$139,000, of which about $95,000 remain unpaid. The railroad com-
missioner is Wesley Hall.
The first highway in Wolcott was the "old Galen road,'" running
from the salt works in Savannah to Capt. Helms's place at "Floating-
Bridge" (now Port Glasgow); this thoroughfare was opened by the
Galen Salt Company prior to 1808. The first regular road was sur-
veyed and established November 2, 1810, by Osgood Church ; Jacob
Shook and Peres Bardwell,' highway commissioners; this is now called
the New Hartford road leading south from Wolcott village. Air.
Church surveyed nearly all of the early highways, and Messrs. Shook
and Bardwell were long the road commissioners. In 1810 the old town
was divided into nine road districts, the commissioners filing their re-
port March 19, 1811. The present town contains sixty-three.
The first town meeting was held at the grist mill of Jonathan Mel-
vin, sr., in Wolcott village on April 3, 1810, a little more than three
years after the old town had been set off from Junius. The first officers
were as follows :
Osgood Church, supervisor; Adonijah Church, town clerk; Obadiah
Adams. Osgood Church, John X. Murray, assessors; Ezra Knapp and
Jesse Mathews, overseers of the poor; Isaac Shook, Peres Bardwell,
WAYNE COUNTY
285
Noah Starr, highway commissioners; Levi Wheeler and John Grandy,
town viewers; Glazier Wheeler, William P. Newell, James Alexander,
Roger Sheldon, overseers of highways.
It is believed that those who participated at this town meeting, and
who, of course, were residents of the old town of Wolcott, were :
Osgood Church,
Adonijah Church,
Aaron Hoppin,
Franklin Ward,
Alpheus Harmon,
Obadiah Adams,
Seth Craw,
John Hyde,
William P. Newell,
Noah Starr,
Dr. Zenas Hyde,
John Hyde,
Roswell Fox,
Zenas Wheeler,
John Woodruff,
Lambert Woodruff,
Charles Woodruff,
Peres Bardwell,
Silas Munsell,
James Alexander,
Ezra Knapp,
Abijah Moore,
Jacob Shook,
Eliab Abbott,
John Grandy,
Roger Olmsted,
Gardner Mudge,
Alpheus Collins,
Abram Bunce,
Lyman Whitney,
Robert Van Tassell,
Stephen Herrick,
Jacob Ward,
Eli Ward,
Caleb Mills,
Jonathan Melvin, sr. ,
Nathaniel Williams,
Glazier Wheeler,
Eli Wheeler,
Levi Wheeler,
Roger Sheldon,
George Sheldon,
Harvey Mudge,
Moses Gillett,
Thomas Hancock,
Elijah Hancock,
Lucius Hubbard,
Jacob Frober,
Wareham Sheldon,
Consider Herrick,
Prentice Palmer,
Ashley Goodrich,
Thaddeus Collins,
Milton Fuller,
Pender Marsh,
Eliakim Tupper,
William Hallett,
Jarvis Mudge,
Lott Stewart,
Jabez Stewart,
Jesse Mathews.
For the first few years, or until 1826, the town meetings were held
alternately at the houses of Obadiah Adams in Wolcott village, and
Lott Stewart at Stewart's Corners. It is impossible to give a complete
list of the supervisors owing to the records prior to 1867 being burned.
Osgood Church held the office for four years (1810-13), and was suc-
ceeded by Adonijah Church (1814-17). Jesse Mathews, Arad Talcott,
Norman Sheldon, and perhaps others down to 1826, when the town was
divided. The first supervisor of the present township, in that year,
was Dr. David Arne. March 5, 1867, the following town officers were
elected: Edwin H. Draper, supervisor; Ezekiel K. Teachout, town
clerk; Isaac Vought, John J. Van Alstine, George E. Due, Daniel C.
Washburn, justices of the peace; William W. Phillips, assessor; Ashley
Milliman and H. W. Burchard, overseers of the poor; Isaac Rice, high-
way commissioner; Harmon V. Becker, collector. The supervisors
since then have been :
286 LANDMARKS OF
Edwin H. Draper, 1867-70. George W. Snyder, 1885-86.
James W. Snyder, 1871. Myron Wood, 188.7-89.
Edwin II. Draper, 1872-77. George R. Miles, 1890.
Marion Conklin, 1878-80. Alanson Church, 1891-93.
Myron Wood, 1881-84. George R. Miles, 1894.
The town officers for 1894 are: George R. Miles, supervisor; Herbert
Perkins, town clerk; E. H. Kellogg, E. H. Horton, O. J. Frost, Mills
Douglass, justices of the peace; William H. Milliman, Nathaniel }.
Field, George Johnson, assessors; Burgess Jenkins, highway commis-
sioner; Hiram Snyder, collector; Rolla Stewart and Henry Schuyler,
overseers of the poor.
Settlement in the present town of Wolcott commenced at Wolcott
village as early as 180?. About 1806 Jonathan Melvin, sr. , who in 1705
had located on 500 or 600 acres of land on Melvin hill in Phelps, On-
tario county, purchased lot 50, containing 500 acres, now included with-
in the corporate limits. He began improvements in 1807 or 1X0S, but
did not settle his family here until 1811. His tract was on William-
son's patent, which included the old town of Wolcott. The actual sale
of lands on this patent continued from June L6, 1808, to October 15,
L813, during which period 117 contracts, covering about L0, 000 acres,
were made, the prices ranging from $2.40 to $5 per acre. The first
contract was taken by Abram Bunce for 144 acres, now the Van Yleet
farm in Butler. The sub-agents for Williamson's patent were Osgood
Church and Frederick Wolcott. The latter did not live here, and the
work devolved upon Mr. Church, who made the sales and accounted for
the proceeds.
Adonijah Church, the first town clerk and a brother to ( >sgood, came
to Wolcott with his family in 1807 and settled on lot 4S. He was one
of the early commissioners of common schools, supervisor from 1X14
to 1817 inclusive, and died in 1842, aged forty-two. Osgood Church
located on lot 40 in 1808. He was born in Berkshire county, Mass., in
list), and being a surveyor he laid out all of the earlier roads in this
town. He was a prominent citizen, an influential man, the first and
for four years supervisor, and died March 15, 1815. October 27, 1809,
lie had deeded to him 855 acres of land here at $2. Hi per acre.
Jonathan Melvin, sr., and Osgood Church were closely associated
with the business development of not only Wolcott village, but the old
town as well, and for many years carried on a number of important
industries. .Melvin began improvements about 1808 and the following
WAYNE COUNTY. «87
year had a gristmill in operation on the present Rumsey site. He also,
and doubtless before this, built a saw mill, and about 1812 he sold both
establishments to Obadiah Adams for $10,000. He donated a site for
a school house or a church which would include the present Baptist
church lot and public square in Wolcott village. He sold a lot below
the saw mill to Daniel Mellin. who erected a fulling, cloth-dressing,
and carding mill. He sold about three acres, then known as the swamp
lot, to Dr. David Arne ; this included the site of the new Presbyterian
church. He built an ashery on the north side of Main street and a dis-
tillery on the west side of the road leading to the Beach grist mill. In
1811 he moved his family here and about 1813 he erected a dwelling
house which he painted jet black. Mr. Melvin was a peculiar man.
Upon being asked why he chose such an unusual color for his residence
he replied : "I like to see things correspond ; if my character is black,
I paint the house so." He always wore a buckskin apron, one for
work and another on Sundays to church. His farm and residence were
widely known as the " Black House."
Extensive business interests like Melvin's required more capital than
he could command, and so the banks at Utica and Geneva were called
upon to furnish funds, for which notes and mortgages were given as
collateral. This involved Osgood Church, who became Melvin's en-
dorser, and when their paper fell due they unfortunately found them-
selves without the necessary money. The banks were obdurate, and
the sheriff levied upon everything the two men owned, including about
450 acres within the present limits of Wolcott village. The property
was bid in by the Geneva Bank, or at least passed into the control of
that institution, by which it was subsequently parceled out to individual
purchasers, as noted further on. Melvin was a pensioner of the Revo-
lutionary war, and after his failure here he returned to Phelps, where
he died about 1845.
Obadiah Adams, a brother-in-law of Osgood Church, came here in
1810 and purchased forty acres on the east side of New Hartford street
in Wolcott village. He was a colonel in the State militia, and from
about 1812 to 1824 was the chief business man in the town. Upon the
site of the Wolcott House he built a story and a half frame dwelling,
which he opened as a tavern, and a year or two later he erected an ad-
dition, in which he kept a store, being the first merchant and tavern
keeper in the town of Wolcott. He also built the first distillery and an
ashery, and. had a kiln in which he dried corn meal for shipment to
288
LANDMARKS OF
Canada. He bought wheat and had a warehouse at Sloop Landing,
where he speculated in land, laid out village lots, and erected several
very good buildings. He owned a sailing vessel, which plied the waters of
Lake ( )ntari<>, and he built the first frame barn in town, opposite his hotel.
His tavern, being on the Oswego-Buffalo stage line, was a favorite and
important stopping place. He erected a blast furnace a little east of the
Beach mill and was about to start operations in the manufacture of plow
castings when he failed (about 1824). The law then imprisoned for
debt and Mr. Adams was taken by the sheriff to the jail limits at Lyons.
He was soon liberated, however, and 1826 he moved to Rochester,
where he opened a hotel, but died soon afterward, a poor man. The
last town meeting of the old town of Wolcott was held at his house in
April, 1825.
Dr. David Arne was a practicing physician and the first postmaster of
the town. He purchased of the Geneva Bank the old Black House farm
of 250 acres at $17 per acre. He was a conspicuous man, as was also
Obadiah Adams, and the two were inveterate political opponents. Dr.
Arne was justice of the peace, and on one occasion swore out and per-
sonallv wrote several summonses against Adams for swearing on the
street, securing of course the usual judgments, which the latter was
obliged to pay. Mr. Adams retaliated by suing the doctor for false
arrest and secured a verdict of about $50.
The war of 1812 checked immigration somewhat; the following were
residents of the old town of Wolcott just prior to that conflict :
James Kellogg,
Sylvanus Joiner,
Jonathan Mayo,
Daniel Lounsbury,
Isaac Lounsbury,
Jonathan Wilson,
Henry P. Mead,
Andrew Petabone,
Luther Aldrich,
Micajah Aldrich,
Jacob Watson,
Seth Mead,
Ira Smith,
Samuel Southwiek,
Thaddeus Fitch,
Giles Fitch,
Charles S.weet,
Asa Town.
Silas Town,
John R. Laraway,
Nathan Parker,
Norman Sheldon,
Orlando Seymour,
Nathaniel Graves,
John Burns,
Abram Palmer,
Stephen Betts,
Thomas Avery,
Loren Doolittle,
Thomas Hale,
fames Phillips,
John Southwiek,
Eli jali 1 low,
Asahel Gillett,
Chester Andrews,
Joseph B. Grandy,
James Van Aukcn,
Robert Mason,
Daniel Roe,
Asa Whitmore,
Michael Vandercook,
Samuel Harskell,
William Moulton,
Aaron Shepard,
Ralph Sheldon,
Samuel Millin.
Elisha Benjamin,
Simeon T. Viele,
Solomon Chapin,
Palmer Lovejoy,
Worcester Henderson,
WAYNE COUNTY. 289
Isaac Gillett, Elisha Plank, Elijah Olmstead,
Elihu Spencer, C. Avery, SimeonBissell,
John Calkins, Stephen Joiner, John Wade,
Seth Shepard, Jeduthan Wilson.
Dr. Denas Hyde came here in 1807, and November 5, 1811, he took
a contract for eight and one-half acres of lot 20. He was the father of
Harlow Hyde, who is now the oldest living" supervisor of the town.
The latter was for twenty years a justice of the peace and a member of
Assembty in 1856-60. His son, James H., was lieutenant of Company
A, 138th N. Y. Infantry.
Zenas Wheeler came to Wolcott about the same time and was a mem-
ber of the General Assembly in 1837. He was an elder in the Presby-
terian Church, and died in Phelps in March, 1879.
Lambert Woodruff bought and settled on about 500 acres adjoining
the Black House farm, on the north, in 1808. He had five sons, John,
Jesse, Charles, Luther and Andrew. His homestead subsequently be-
came the residence of Enos Reed.
Elisha Plank removed to this town in the spring of 1813, and on May
21 purchased 467 acres on lots 381, 383 and 385, for which he paid
$4.25 per acre. He built a saw mill and grist mill on Mill Creek,
about one mile north of the village ; both establishments were carried
away by a freshet November 1, 1814, carrying him and a son with
them. The latter was drowned, but the father escaped with slight in-
juries. The following spring his house was burned. He erected
another grist mill on the same site, and died September 25, 1852. His
son, born in 1796, came here with the family in 1813, and died Decem-
ber 27, 1886. He taught school in early life and held several town
offices.
Abijah Moore was the pioneer settler on New Hartford street. He
came in 1809 and brought his family hither in 1810, and led the first
dance held in the town. Stephen and Sylvanus Joiner, on March 1,
1811, purchased 1,050 acres for $4.00 an acre of Fellows & McNab;
this was on lot 344, and upon it they built two frame barns.
Hiram Church was a son of Osgood Church, previously mentioned,
and was born in Marlboro, Mass., April 8, 1806. Coming herewith
father in 1808 he lived to see the old town transformed from a wilder-
ness into beautiful homes and thrifty villages, and a few years before
his death he published in the Lake Shore News a number of articles
37
290 LANDMARKS OF
pertaining to the early history of this locality. He had two daughters
and a sen (William O.), and died here October 13, 1889.
Giles Fitch contracted for ninety-six acres of lot 352 July 20, L811,
and the same day Thaddens Fitch purchased a like amount of the same
lot. The former was the first mail contractor from Wolcott to Auburn,
carrying the mail on horseback once a week each way.
Eliab Abbott was a settler of 1808. < >n September 30 of that year
he contracted for fifty-nine and a half acres of lot 370. Among other
pioneers and prominent settlers in the old town of Wolcott were Lott
Stewart, inn-keeper at Stewart's Corners; Jarvis and Gardner Mudge;
Ransom Ward, Joseph Foster, father of Asahel; Jedediah Wilson, on
lot 66; Linus Hibbard, a blacksmith; Jonathan Runyon, a Revolution-
ary soldier, who drew a bounty of 600 acres; Levi Smith ; Samuel J.
Otis, on lot 352, an old Mason; Stephen D. Fowler, son of John P.;
Ephraim P. Bigelow; Isaac Otis, on lot 267; Daniel Dutcher, on lot 75;
Benjamin Brown, on lot 320, who died in June, 1871; John Mack,
father of Harrison, on lot 31; Luke Brinkerhoff, on lot 62; John Ford,
a soldier of the war of 1812; Daniel Patterson, also a veteran of 1812,
and the father of John; William Sax, Roger Olmsted, George I. and
Garrett Van Fleet, James M. Hall, Rev. Ira H. Hogan, William W.
Phillips, father of John M. ; and Robert McArthur, another soldier in
the war of 1812, and the father of John. June 24, 1812, Thomas Hale
contracted for 200 acres of lots 304 and 312 and August 26, 1813, he
purchased twenty -five acres more of lot 304. Charles Sweeet bought
fifty acres of lot 344 October 15, 1813.
Elias Y. Munson, born in New Jersey in July, 1703, removed to
Auburn, where he helped to lay the walls of the State Prison, and came
thence to Wolcott in 1820 as a clerk for Obadiah Adams. Upon the
failure of the latter he went to Waterloo, but soon returned to Wolcott
as agent in the store of Reuben Swift & Co., whom he soon bought out.
About 1821) he purchased of the Geneva Bank the old tavern stand and
farm of Adams's. The hotel was burned in the winter of 1836-7 and
in 1837 he built the Northern Exchange Hotel, which was the first brick
building in Wolcott. He subsequently bought a farm two miles south
of the village, but two years later returned and engaged in merchandis-
ing, a business he followed until shortly before his death, June 23,
L861. He was the second postmaster of Wolcott, and for several years
was a justice of the peace. He had three children.
Rev. Amos P. Draper was born in Dover, N. Y., in L791, and by
WAYNE COUNTY. 291
trade was a carpenter and joiner. He " went from the bench to the
pulpit" of the Baptist Church and beg'an his ministerial labors in Wol-
cott, subsequently officiating- in Phelps and Red Creek. He was the
father of Dr. Edwin H. Draper, a practicing' physician in Wolcott vil-
lage; he also had four children.
Thomas Snyder, born in Owasco, N. Y., in 1796, came with the
family in 1813 to Red Creek, where his father purchased 1,000 acres of
land. The latter built the first saw mill and grist mill in that village,
and during his life was a prominent citizen of the place.
John O. Wadsworth, from Vermont, settled in Butler with his father,
Elisha W., in 1819. In 1832 he removed to Wolcott, and was sheriff of
Wayne county four years. He was the father of Henry Wadsworth.
Capt. Horace L. Dudley, born in Guilford, Conn., February 25, 1803,
came to Wolcott in 1824, and in 1826 married Melinda Hendrick. He
was a progressive agriculturist, held several town offices, and was com-
missioned captain in the State militia August 22, 1829. He had nine
children, and died March 25, 1880.
Jedediah Wilder was born in Bristol, N. Y., in 1792, and came to
Wolcott village in 1816. He purchased of Samuel Millen the fulling
and cloth-dressing mill, which he conducted until 1826, when he sold
it to Roswell Benedict and bought a farm of Zenas Wheeler. He was
one of the earliest agents of the American Bible Society, for twenty
years a magistrate of the town, for ten years president of the Wayne
Sunday School Union, and a soldier in the State militia under Col.
Swift during the attack on Sodus Point by the British. He died
August 8, 1867.
William Olney Wood, son of Noah, was born in Otsego county, N.
Y., in August, 1809. He finally removed to Butler, and learning the
trade of a tanner came to Wolcott village. In 1831 he purchased a small
tannery in Red Creek and became one of the wealthiest and most in-
fluential men in the town. He built Wood's Hotel and opened a
private banking, office, and for several years was supervisor of Wolcott.
He had ten children, and died in March, 1879.
Hon. Isaac Leavenworth, a native of Watertown, Conn., born June
17, 1781, became a resident of Wolcott village about 1838, and during
the remainder of his life was one of the town's most prominent citizens.
He founded the Leavenworth Institute, and in 1819 was elected to the
Legislature. He was energetic, public spirited, enterprising, and gen-
erous, and died February 26, 1860.
292 LANDMARKS OF
Anson Drury, born in Vermont in 1799, came to Huron with his par-
ents Caleb and Jane in L816, and removed to a f arm in Wolcott in 1855,
where lie died in January, 1881. Jesse W. Williams was born in Bur-
lington, Yt., October 30, L797, served as a teamster, with his father, in
the war of 1812, and came to this town in 1834, where he died in- August,
L876. M. P. Foote, born in Newtown, Conn., in 1805, came here in
1840, was first a merchant and then a farmer, and died September 25,
L889. Capt. Thomas W. Johnson removed to Wolcott when a boy,
served in the Civil War and was brevetted major, and died in Novem-
ber, 188G. Jesse Mathews was supervisor of the old town in 1817 and
for several years was a justice of the peace; his daughter Amanda sue.
eeeded him on the homestead.
Prominent among other settlers and residents are George W. Brink-
erhoff, born in Wolcott in 1838, served in the 9th Heavy Artillery,
brevetted major, elected to the Assembly in 1891; George Doolittle,
supervisor, deceased; Joseph Ward, father of Reuben, died in 1882; R.
W. Vonnglove, of North Wolcott; Jesse Olmstead, the last of nine
children, died September 20, lss4; Deacon Cyrus Brockway, died in
October, 1875; John Turner, father of M. B., died in 1890; Isaac Rice,
father of Amnion, died in L893; John Dow, who purchased 300 acres of
land at North Wolcott for $5 per acre and died in 1884; Alanson Frost,
from Connecticut, father of Oscar J. ; Hamilton Hibbard, who died
April 29, 1894. Many others are noticed in Part II of this volume.
In 1858 the town had 12,995 acres improved land; real estate assessed
at $549,749; personal property, $55,300; 1,535 male and 1,478 female
inhabitants; 593 dwellings, G09 families, and 484 freeholders; 15 school
districts attended by 1,223 children; 073 horses, 1,327 oxen and calves,
882 cows, 4,296 sheep, 1,092 swine. There were produced that year
9, L03 bushels winter and 1 L2,751 bushels spring wheat, 1,714 tons hay,
10,854 bushels potatoes, 17,456 bushels apples, 79, 180 pounds butter,
2,452 pounds cheese, and 840 yards domestic cloths.
In 1890 the town had a population of 3,216, or 515 less than in 1880.
In 1893 the assessed valuation of land was $629,375 (equalized $644,-
831); village and mill property, $351,035 (equalized $344,149); rail-
roads and telegraphs, $102,638; personal property, $23,150. Schedule
of taxes for L893 : Contingent fund, $2, 984. 62 ; town poor, $200; roads
bridges, $634.42; special town tax, $5,800; school tax, $1,019.91;
count_\- tax, $2,440.25; State tax, $1,344.71; State insane tax, $346.91;
dogtax, $72:50. Total tax levy, $15,185.44; rate percent. .01372759.
WAYNE COUNTY 293
There are four election districts and in 1893 the town polled about 690
votes.
In the war of the Rebellion the town of Wolcott sent to the front a
large number of her brave and heroic citizens, who did valiant service
in the suppression of that sanguinary conflict. Some of them rose to
the ranks of commissioned officers ; many gave up their life blood on
Southern battlefields or in rebel prisons. The survivors are few, and
with the dead they share the tender remembrances of a grateful people
upon each Memorial Day.
The first birth in Wolcott was that of Isaac Hopper, and the first
death in the old town was that of Sarah Mills, who died December 25,
1809, and was buried on the Viele farm. The two principal cemeteries
in the present town are those at Red Creek and Wolcott villages. The
oldest portion of the latter is known as Leavenworth cemetery, while
the annex, or new part, is called Glenside; the receiving vault was
built in April, 1887.
The first school house in town was a log structure built in 1810, in
Wolcott village, on the site of Dr. E. H. Draper's present residence.
Another log school building was erected two or three years later by
Jonathan Melvin, sr. , near the Knapp foundry. This was the first dis-
trict in the town, and was organized as No. 1 about 1812, the first
trustees being Osgood Church, Lambert Woodruff, and Eliakim Tup-
per. One acre, covering the site of the Baptist church, was donated
by Mr. Melvin, and soon a frame school house was built thereon; this
building was subsequently purchased by Obadiah Adams, who moved
it across the street and added it to his hotel. A new structure was
erected on the lot and known as the old red school house until 1843,
when it was removed and a two-story building put up in its place.
This employed two teachers, and was burned in 1865. Among the
earlier teachers in these buildings were Mary Lambert (daughter of
Lambert Woodruff), John Melvin (son of Jonathan), Daniel Butrick,
Huldah Seymour (daughter of Dea. Noah Seymour and afterward Mrs.
John Roe), Prudence Wells (afterward Mrs. Jedediah Wilder), William
Plank (son of Elisha), Loren Doolittle, Austin Roe, Harlow Hyde,
Levi Hendrick, Barabus Knapp, Willis Roe, and Samuel Colboth.
In 1859 Leavenworth Institute was incorporated and a brick building-
erected on New Hartford street in Wolcott village, through the mu-
nificence of Hon. Isaac Leavenworth, .who contributed one-half of the
funds, the balance being raised by subscription. It is two stories high
294 LANDMARKS OF
above a stone basement, and for several years contained the only pub-
lic hall in town. The first principal was M. J. Slee, and the first presi-
dent of the Board of Trustees was Dr. James M. Wilson, who was suc-
ceeded by E. N. Plank. Upon the destruction by fire of the public
school building a project was inaugurated to consolidate the two, which
was effected November 1, 1865, under the name of Leavenworth Insti-
tute and Cmion Free School, the former becoming the academic de-
partment, and the district being reorganized as Union Free School
district, No. 1, towns of Wolcott, Huron and Butler. November 4 the
following Board of. Education was elected: Dr. James M. Wilson,
Jedediah Wilder, E. N. Blank, J. Talcott, B. F. Peck, William H.
Thacker, W. W. Paddock, T. W. Collins, C. P. Smith, R. Sours, J. S.
Roe, L. Millington and R. Matthews ; E. N. Plank was president ; W.
\V. Paddock, treasurer; Chester Dutton, secretary and librarian. The
new organization paid a debt of $250 against the institute and refunded
$260 to the Leavenwrorth heirs. The first term opened December 12,
18G5, with John Teller as principal, and Miss Tappan as preceptress.
Among the successive principals have been Amos H. Thompson, Pro-
fessor Hutton, M. T. Brown, C. T. R. Smith, Jefferson W. Hoag, Pro-
fessor Baldwin, John T. Cothran, W. R. Vosburgh, Edward Hay ward,
E. B. Nichols, John W. Robinson and E. D. Niles. The preceptress
is Miss Agnes Ford.
The first school house at Red Creek was a frame structure, twenty
feet square, on Canada street, and one of its first teachers was Abigail
Bunce. In 1837 the wooden building of the present academy was
erected, and the first teacher therein was Norman F. Wright. March
27, 1830, the Red Creek Union Academy was incorporated, and among
the first trustees were William (). Wood, Amos Snyder, Abel Lyon and
Francis Nichols. The first principal was N. F. Wright, A. M. ; second,
John W. Armstrong, A. M. ; third, Professor Hendrickson, associated
with Rev. E. C. Bruce, who remained until 1854. About this time the
first brick building, fifty by seventy feet, three stories high, was erected,
and Rev. William C. Mason was appointed agent; lie alone contributed
$500. The fourth principal was Rev. John B. Van Patten. In L858
or 1859 the brick building burned, and the citizens subscribed for
another. The contract was let to Jonathan P. Jones for $4,000, who
put up the present structure with a judgment against it of $1,500. The
property was sold, being bid off by William 1'. Jones, who took a
sheriff's <\<^-\\, and who disposed of the whole in 1865 to a stock com-
WAYNE COUNTY. 895
pany for $10,000, divided into shares of $25.00 each. The institution
was reorganized, a new charter was obtained, and the name was
changed to the Red Creek Union Seminary, which it has since born;
the trustees named in this charter were William P. Jones, president;
J. B. Decker, secretary; Jonathan P. Jones, Lewis Jones, Riley Z. Pat-
rick, Parson Cooper, Amasa Ouivey and George Coplin. Mr. Decker
has served continuously as trustee and secretary since 1865. The old
charter building is still standing, and occupied by the principal as a
residence. The Board of Education for 1891-5 consists of Parson
Cooper, president; J. B. Decker, secretary; Riley Z. Patrick, treasurer;
George M. Coplin, Abram Harris, Jay D. Frost, Amasa Quivey, Lewis
Jones and William T. Clark. The principal is Albert D. Whitney,
A. M., assisted by three teachers. The school is in a very flourishing
condition.
The first school house in the vicinity of North Wolcott was a log
structure erected about 1835 by John Dow. Prior to this a school had
been kept in "the shanty" near Little Red Creek by Margaret Shaft,
afterward Mrs. Elijah Edwards. A frame school house was built in
district No. 2 in 1840.
The town now has fifteen school districts with buildings, in which
twenty-six teachers are employed, and which are attended by about 920
scholars. Value of school buildings and sites in 1893, $20,220'; assessed
valuation of districts, $1,370,525; money received from the State,
$3,582,12; raised by local tax, $5,146.11.
Wolcott Village. — This is one of the pleasantest villages in Wayne
county. It lies in the extreme west corner of this town and partly in
the town of Butler, and on the south side of the R. , W. & O. Railroad.
Containing valuable mill privileges on Wolcott Creek, it was the site
of the first settlement and the first business interests within the present
town, and much of its earlier history has already been recorded in
previous pages of this chapter. Intimately connected with its growth
and development from a dense forest to a thrifty village are associated
the names of Jonathan Melvin, sr. , Obadiah Adams, Osgood Church,
Dr. David Arfie, Elias Y. Munson, and others heretofore mentioned.
The first improvements were inaugurated by Melvin, and the first
tavern and distillery were conducted by Adams. The latter also had a
cornmeal kiln, and his huge hogsheads, filled with meal for shipment,
early give the place the name of " Puncheonville. " Dr. Arne was the
first postmaster. About 1811 Jacob Butterfield, a tanner and shoe-
296 LANDMARKS OF
maker, purchased of Mr. Church three acres on which he built a tan-
nery and conducted business many years. William M. Nurss and Mer-
ritt Candy from Oneida county, came here in L823 and erected a dis-
tillery and ashery on the east side of the creek; they purchased Elisha
Plank's grist mill, and also established a store. Mr. Candy died in
L828 and Nurss closed out their business, being succeeded by Alanson
Melvin, whom his father, Jonathan, sr. , had left here to wind up his
affairs. E. Y. Munson, as previously noted, succeeded to the Adams
tavern and all the land on lot 50 which Adams had purchased of Melvin.
He sold to Stephen P. and Chester A. Keyes all that tract across Main
street from the Wilder lot to the gulf and moved the old barn and sheds
over to his tavern stand. The Messrs. Keyes occupied Munson's old
store. Nathan Pierce, son-indaw of Levi Smith, built a hotel opposite
his stone building and kept it several years; it was later known as the
old White Hotel. A Dr. Tripp, from Montgomery county, purchased
from the Geneva Bank the Melvin mill property and repaired and con-
ducted it some time. The present Wolcott House, standing on the site
of Adams's pioneer tavern, which was burned and replaced by the
Northern Exchange, was rebuilt by Julius Whiting in isso and passed
from him to the present proprietor, S. A. Williams, on February 1,
L887; the latter has also made additions. Abram Cuyler settled here
in 1833; his son, John H., was the first producer of barrel staves in the
village.
Wolcott village was incorporated February 24, L852, and reincor-
porated in February, 1873. March IS, 1873, the following- officers were
chosen: Asa D. Kellogg, president; B. Franklin Knapp, Horace L.
Dudley, Nelson Moore, trustees; Henry A. Graves, treasurer; Hiram
Silliman, collector; William O. Church, clerk. The presidents since
then have been :
Anson S. Wood, is; I, Benham S. Wood, L882.
William W. Paddock, is;:,. Noah Wood, 1883.
George I'.. Curtis, 1876. Henry A. Graves, 1884.
Thomas W. Johnson, is;;. Martin E. Cornwell, 1885-87.
Martin E. Cornwell, 1878. Alanson Church, 1888.
David H. Mann, 1879. F. S. Johnson, 1889 92.
Henry A. Graves, 1880 si G. II. Northrup, L893-94.
The village officers lor IS'.U arc: G. 11. Xorthrup, president; J. E.
Lawrence, 1!. J. Worden, II. A. Loveless, trustees; Joel Fanning,
F. A. Prevost, treasurer; William Borden street commissioner;
WAYNE COUNTY. .".K
E. H. Kellogg, police justice; the trustees, assessors; N. W. Merrill,
collector.
The village has been visited by a number of conflagrations, impor-
tant among which are the following: In 1874, destroying a large amount
of property; July 20, 1875, eight business houses from the Wolcott
House to the "Arcade" building, loss about $12,000; August 28, 1876,
six business places on the east side of Mill street; November 11, 1879,
the old landmark, the " Arcade," which was owned by the Presbyterian
church and leased for stores; February 10, 1884, eight business blocks
including the Lake Shore News office, rendering homeless twenty-three
business concerns and fourteen families, less about $150,000; and
February 19, 1887, Campbell's block.
In April, 1884, it was decided to raise by tax $2,500 for the purchase
of a fire engine and suitable equipment, and in the fall of 1885 the
present frame engine house and village hall was erected. In Novem-
ber, 1886, a new hook and ladder truck for Independent Company No.
1 was purchased. The fire department is now constituted as follows :
Chief, Henry A. Graves; first assistant, Rolla Stewart; second assist-
ant, J. G. Cook. Independent Hook and Ladder Company No 1, Cy-
rus E. Fitch, foreman. Wolcott Fire Company No 1, B. J. Worden,
foreman; Wolcott Hose Company No 1, William Olmsted, foreman.
The first banking business in Wolcott village was instituted in a
small way by James V. D. Westfall. Roe & Ellis's private bank was
started by Roe, Ellis and Pomeroy in 1875, in the present bank build-
ing, which was erected for the purpose. In the spring of 1884 Mr.
Pomeroy sold his interest to the present firm, consisting of Willis S.
Roe and A. D. Ellis.
Wolcott village now contains four dry goods stores, three groceries,
four drug stores, two hardware stores, three clothing stores, two furni-
ture and undertaking establishments, a boot and shoe store, four
jewelry stores, three milliners, a newspaper and printing office, a bank,
three hotels, three liveries, two meat markets, a bakery, two harness
shops, a music store, four churches, five physicians, seven lawyers, two
dentists, two insurance offices, a variety store, two grist mills, two
foundry and machine shops, two lumber and three coal yards, a box
factory, a fruit warehouse, one grain elevator, a laundry, marble and
monumental works, a photograph gallery, two public halls, two wagon
and four blacksmith shops, _ and about 950 inhabitants. The present
postmaster is C. F. Van Valkenburg.
38
298 LANDMARKS OF
Red Creek — This village is situated in the east part of the town, on
the stream of the same name, and on the R., W. & O. Railroad, and in
an early day was called Jacksonville in honor of Gen. Andrew Jackson.
A post-office was established, the name of which as well as that of the
village was changed to its present designation in 1836. The first set-
tler, tradition says, was a hunter and fisherman named Beman, who
built a rude hut on the banks of Red Creek, some forty rods east of the
Presbyterian Church. The second comer was a Mr. Babbitt. Neither
of these remained more than a few years. In 1811 Noadiah Childs
came in, built a log house, and made other improvements. Then fol-
lowed Jacob Snyder with his ten children: John, Peter, Thomas, Amos,
Noah, Betsey,. Polly, Catharine, Nancy and Jacob, jr. He built a log
house and later a frame one on the site of the dwelling of the late W.
O. Wood. This was the first frame house in the village. Mr. Snyder
was a Methodist preacher and often officiated at local meetings. The
next settler was Isaac Easton, with eleven children, of whom the sons
were William. John, Mahlon, Chillion, David, Abram and Walter.
This was in 1816, and soon afterward Isaac Hoppin, Philip Bien, Abra-
ham Teachout and James S. Brinkerhoff came in.
The first store was opened about 1832 by Stephen P. and Chester A.
Keyes, who came hither from Wolcott village. Lyon & Hawley
started another the same year. Isaac Easton was the first blacksmith,
and following him were Messrs. Bunceand Gage. Noah Snyder opened
the first tavern about 1829; it was twice burned and rebuilt. The first
brick buildings were the academy and the store of Underbill & Lyon,
the latter being built in 1854. The first physician was a Dr. White.
The first lawyer was John W. Carey, who practiced here for six years
prior to 184!), when he removed to Wisconsin, where he was State
senator two terms; he is now in Chicago, and has been general attor-
ney for the C, St. P. & M. Railroad for over twenty-five years. J. B.
Decker was town superintendent of common schools for four years.
lie was admitted to the bar of this State in 1850, has been district at-
torney three years, and a notary public ever since that office was cre-
ated in the town. He was a student in the Red Creek Academy the
first year it started, is a graduate of Union College, receiving the de-
grees of A. B. and A.M., and for several years was admitted to the
United States Courts.
K. C. Hoff, the father of Hubbard Hoff, became a merchant here in
is:! I. The first saw mil] on Red Creek was erected by Jacob Snyder
WAYNE COUNTY. 299
in 1814; this was carried away in a freshet March 17, 1820; another was
built in 1826, and has given place to the present one, owned by William
Camp. Mr. Snyder erected the first grist mill on the same stream in
1816, which was subsequently occupied by G. M. Wood. A tannery
was built here about 1820 by a Mr. Hale. M. and W. G. Wood also
operated a tannery for many years ; their old building is now used for
a fruit evaporator. The present owners of the two gristmills are Wal-
lace Benedict and Homer Campbell.
In 1852 the village was incorporated with an area of one square mile.
In the spring of 1874 the records were burned, and the earliest officers
obtainable are those elected in 1876, when William O. Wood became
president and A. T. Delling clerk. The presidents since then are :
S. H. Hamlin, 1877-78, E. Becker, 1888;
James Keesler, 1879, William H. Milliman, 1889,
S. H. Hamlin, 1880, Abram Harris, 1890,
J. P. Jones, 1881, C. O. Peterson, 1891,
B. H. Benedict, 1882, George D. Barber, 1892,
J. D. Frost, 1883, Patrick Keegon, 1893,
Abram Harris, 1884-85, Charles Longyear, 1894.
G. M. Coplin, 1886-87,
The officers for 1894 are: Charles Longyear, president; George Long-
year, Daniel McMullen, Jacob D. Covert, George W. Flint, trustees;
John S. Smith, clerk; George Robertson, Parson Cooper, George D.
Barber, assessors; Amasa Quivey, collector; Patrick Malone, treasurer;
Daniel D. Becker, police justice; Amasa Q. Milliman, police constable;
James Hedges, street commissioner.
William O. Wood established the first banking business in Red Creek
and continued it about four years, being succeeded by his son, G. W.
He soon gave way to a younger brother and A. M. Green as Wood &
Green, who finally discontinued the business. In the fall of 1884 Becker
& Hall purchased Wood & Green's safe, etc., and started a private
banking establishment, which they still carry on in connection with a
large general store.
In the spring of 1874 the business portion of the village was almost
entirely devastated by fire. In September, 1878, the stave, saw, and
heading mill of James Van Voorhees & Co. was burned, with a loss of
$7,000. February 28, 1884, the post-office building and stores were con-
sumed, causing a loss of some $16,000. In March, 1894, fire destroyed
the brick block on the site on which PI. C. Van Alstine is now (August,
1894) building a handsome structure.
300 LANDMARKS OF
Red Creek village now contains three general stores, two drug- stores,
a meat market, two hotels, three liveries, a newspaper and printing of-
fice, one furniture and undertaking establishment, one jeweler, five
blacksmith and two wagon shops, two milliners, a photograph gallery,
one grocery, two lawyers, three physicians, a veterinary surgeon, two
warehouses, one lumber and two coal yards, a harness shop, a flour and
feed store, two grist mills, a cooperage, a hardware store, saw mill,
several fruit evaporators, four churches, the Union Seminary, district
school, and about 500 inhabitants. The postmaster is William M.
Milliman.
North Wolcott is a small hamlet on the east side of Little Red Creek
in the northern part of the town. Minott Mitchell purchased for spec-
ulation 3,000 acres, including lots 20, 21, 39, and 40, and in 183(1 he
built a saw mill on the creek on lot 3!). About 1841 Winslow Dodge
erected another, and in 1842 John Dow put up a third, which subse-
quently became known as the Casterline mill. The first steam saw
mill was built by Fowler & Conner in 1804. In 1844 Hiram Blanchard
opened a blacksmith shop and about 1865 George Delemater built a
store. In 1873 the post-office was established with Nathaniel J. Field
as postmaster, who held the office for nineteen years, being succeeded
by the present incumbent, D. J. Kyle. Mr. Field became a merchant
here about 1873. The first frame house in the locality was built by a
Mr. Hill in L837.
Furnack Village, one mile north of Wolcott, contains a saw mill,
bed-spring manufactory, and a few houses. A blast furnace was built
here about 1823 by Andrew Chapin and conducted under the firm name
of Chapin l\: Parks. They soon abandoned the iron ore bed near by and
secured ore from the Red Creek ore bed north of that village. The
business was continued until Chapin 's death, when the property passed
to their former employees, Hendrick & Seymour, who were succeeded
by Hendrick & Leavenworth. The furnace has long since been dis-
continued.
The First Presbyterian church of Wolcott was founded July 18, 1813,
by Revs. Charles Mosier and Henry Axtell, with twenty-three mem-
bers, and September 7 the society was legally organized "at the school
house near Obadiah Adams" by the election of these trustees: Lam-
bert Woodruff, Josiah Upson, Jarvis Mudge, Noah Seymour, Jonathan
Melvin, and John Wade. Adonijah Church was the first clerk, and the
corporation certificate was filed before Judge Jesse Southwick, of
WAYNE COUNTY. 801
Seneca county, January 18, 1814. The first pastor was Rev. Daniel
S. Buttrick; he received an annual salary of $200 and remained about
two years. The second pastor was Rev. William Clark. For twelve
years meetings were held alternately at the Adams and Cobble Hill
school houses. An attempt was made to build a church by subscrip-
tion, but without avail, and the result was the erection of one at South
Huron and another in the village of Wolcott. The latter was built
where Dr. E. H. Draper's residence now stands in 1826, but re-
mained unfinished inside until 1832. The first trustees of this church
were Alanson Melvin, Abijah Moore, Elisha Plank, John Woodruff,
Andrew Chapin, and Merritt Candy ; the first pastor was Rev.
Nathaniel Merrill. The society had twelve members.' In 1852 during
the pastorate of Rev. Thomas Wright, a new edifice was built on the
site of Newberry & Burton's store; Rev. Mr. Wright preached the last
sermon February 11, 1883. The corner stone of the third and present
brick structure was laid by the pastor, Rev. William A. Rice, July 6,
1882. It was dedicated free from debt February 15, .1883, and cost
complete $16,814. The present pastor, Rev. H. B. wStevenson, as-
sumed charge in October, 1889. The society has about 275 members.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Wolcott. — Preaching b)r circuit
riders commenced in this section at a very early date. It was known
as the Sodus circuit, and the first quarterly meeting was held at the
barn of Daniel Roe on October 9, 1813. The first class in Wolcott was
formed in 1833 with these members: L. Millington, leader, Lovina
Millington, Nathan and Jerusha Pierce, and a Mrs. Southwick. In
1838 a church was built. This was replaced by the present edifice, the
corner stone of which was laid June 29, 1872. It is of brick, was dedi-
cated in 1873, and cost about $12,000. The society has about 290
members under the pastoral care of Rev. J. C. B. Moyer. The first
preacher located on the original circuit was Rev. Truman Gillett.
The First Baptist church of Wolcott was incorporated June 2, 1835,
with twenty-four constitutent members. The first pastor was Rev.
Isaac Bucklin, and among his successors have been: Revs. Hiller,
D. D. Chittendon, H. P. Stillwell, Barrel, Wadhams, C. A. Skinner,
Peter Irving, Garret, Smith, O. P. Meeks, A. H. Stearns, A. R. Bab-
cock, J. J. Hammer, Wm. Furgeson, C. E. Christian, and Abner Mor-
rill, the present pastor. The first church was a wood structure which
stood on the site of the present handsome edifice. The latter was built
in 1880 and dedicated March 4, 1881* by Rev. R. E. Burton. It is of
302 LANDMARKS OP
brick and cost complete $6,282. The society has about eighty mem-
bers.
The Methodist Protestant Church of Wolcott was organized by Rev.
Ira Hogan, the first pastor, in 1855, with seven members: Alanson
Millington (leader), Henry S. Cornwell (steward), Mrs. H. S. Corn-
well, Henry S. Nichols, John and Aurelia Cook, and Walter Paddock.
Services were held in a stone church that had been erected by a de-
funct Universalist society until 1863, when their present edifice was
built at a cost of $3,300; it was consecrated by Rev. James Smith.
The present membership is about thirty-five, and the pastor is Rev.
Mr. McChesney.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Red Creek. — Of this society the
record is as follows: "Red Creek, formerly the eastern part of Rose
circuit, was constituted by the appointment of the Rev. Royal Hough-
ton, of the Black River annual conference, preacher in charge, at their
session held in Syracuse, commencing the 19th dav of Julv, 1843. The
society of the station was organized at a meeting of official members
held at the church at Red Creek on Saturday, August 12, L843, and is
as follows, viz.: Royal Houghton, preacher in charge; Abiram Skeel
and Abel Lyon, local preachers; Aurelius Dykeman, exhorter; Amos
Snyder, Harvey Douglass, William G. Brown, John W. Miller, and
Anthony Prior, stewards; William G. Brown, recording secretary."
Eleven classes were formed, with a membership of ninety-eight. The
class leaders were Amos Snyder, Benjamin Jenkins, John Quereau,
James Cosgrove, Harvey Douglass, Henry Madan, John Ford, John
McArthur, William G. Brown, Silas Nichols, and Jesse Viele. Among
the pastors succeeding Rev. Mr. Houghton were Revs. John W. Coope,
P. S. Bennett, M. H. Gaylord, D. W. Roney, E. Wheeler, H. Kinsley,
John Slee, R. N. Barber, Isaac Turney, B. Alden, George C. Wood,
S. B. Crosier, R. Redhead, and C. N. Damen. The society has a neat
edifice and also owns a parsonage. They have a membership of about
150. Rev. D. B. Kellogg is pastor.
The Presbyterian Church of Red Creek was regularly organized May
13, 1818, by Rev. William Clark with these members: George B. and
Luke T. Brinkerhoff, William Wood, Ebenezer Nale, Samuel Van Fleet,
Martin and Saffarine Courtright, John Turner, Jane and Netty Brinker-
hoff, Catharine Wood, Hannah Courtright, and Richard Van Fleet.
The first officers were : G. B. Brinkerhoff, Luke T. Brinkerhoff, and
William Wood, elders; Ebenezer Nale, deacon. The first session was
WAYNE COUNTY. 303
held September 12, at the house of George B. Brinkerhoff and Daniel
B. Wheeler was received as a member and baptized ; thirteen persons
also joined by letter. The first church edifice was erected in 1838, and
the first meeting- in it was held February 2, 1839. The society owns a
parsonage, which the}'' built, and has a membership of sixty-five. The
present pastor is Rev. A. Nelson.
The Baptist Church of Red Creek was organized in 1841, with about
thirty members. The first trustees were William O. Wood, Abram
Teachout, and Daniel Dutcher, and meetings were held in the school
house several years. About 1847 a church edifice, thirty-two by fifty-
six feet, was erected, and subsequently a parsonage was secured.
Among the earlier pastors were Revs. J. S. Everingham, Kinney,
Amasa Curtis, Ira Bennett, and Ira Dudley. The society has about
forty-five members under the pastoral charge of Rev. J. M. Shotwell,
whose wife is superintendent of the Sunday school.
St. Thomas's Roman Catholic Church of Red Creek was built in
1875 at a cost of $3,000, the corner stone being laid by Rt. Rev. Bishop
McQuaid on October 26, of that year. It is a frame structure and
stands on Main street near the depot. The first pastor was Rev.
Father King; the present one in charge is Father Ruby, who resides
in Cato, Cayuga county. The parish has about sixty families.
The Methodist Protestant Church of North Wolcott was built in
1863, the first pastor being Rev. Philip Swift. The first meetings of
the society, which was organized about 1838, were held in " the shanty "
and afterward in the school house. The church subsequently passed
to the control of an M. E. society, but later returned again to the Metho-
dist Protestants. There are now about 100 worshipers and Rev. W.
H. Church is pastor and superintendent of the Sunday school.
::ni LANDMARKS OF
CHAPTTER XX.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF WILLIAMSON.
Williamson was set off from the town of Soduson February 20, L802,
and until the organization of Wayne county in 182-5 comprised apart of
the county of Ontario. It was originally known as township No. 11,
and its formation included also within its limits the present towns of
Marion, Walworth, and Ontario. Ontario (including Walworth) was
sel off March 27, L807, and Marion on April is, L825, leaving William-
son with its present assessed area of 20,256 acres. It is nearly six
miles square, and was named from Capt. Charles Williamson, the first
agent of the Pultney estate. ( >riginallythe town was divided into three
tracts, viz. : The Pultney estate, comprising the north, west, and south-
west portions, the Hornby tract, the southeast portion, and the Hudson
the east part. The land sold for ten shillings an acre.
Situated on the northern border of Wayne county, west of the cen-
ter, this township is bpunded on the east by Sodus, on the sonth by
Marion, on the west by Ontario, and on the north by Lake Ontario.
From about the center of the town northward, the surface is generally
level, sloping toward the lake; on the sonth it is broken by low ridges.
The soil is an alluvial formation. In the northern part it is mainly a
sandy loam while in the south it consists largely of clay. Salmon
Creek, emptying into the lake at Pnltneyville, Mink Creek, in the east-
ern part of the town, and a small brook west of these, with a few tribu-
taries, afford excellent drainage.
The town is mainly devoted to agricultural pursuits, and in point of
productiveness is one of the best in Wayne county. The raising of
-rain, which formed the chief product in earlier daws, has largely been
superseded by mixed farming. Large apple orchards, set out a gen-
eration ago, still bear abundantly, while pears, peaches, quinces,
grapes, etc., are cultivated with considerable profit. During the last
decade the growing of raspberries has developed extensively, the acre-
age in is1.):; being estimated at over (ion. The fruit industry has
brought into existence numerous evaporators or dry houses, scarcely a
farm of any size being without one.
WAYNE COUNTY. 305
In several parts of the town iron ore has been produced in paying
quantities, but the business of digging it has never been prosecuted to
any extent. From the present farm of John P. Bennett, his father,
Dr. Josiah Bennett, once took $200 worth of bog ore.
The first thoroughfare in Williamson was the Sodus road running
from Geneva via Palmyra and Marion to Sodus Point. It crossed the
southeast corner of the town, passed through East Williamson village,
and was opened by Capt. Williamson in 1794. The second highway
was a road leading through Marion and Williamson villages to Pultney-
ville, over the old Indian trail or " post road," and was later known in
this town as Jersey street from the fact that many of the settlers along
its lines came from New Jersey. The ridge road, running east and
west through Williamson, was opened at a later date. Most of the
highwa)^s were surveyed between 1800 and 1820. Moses Still and
Abraham Pratt were road commissioners in the first named year.
Until the completion of the Lake Ontario Shore Railroad (now the
R. W. and O.) in 1876 the only means of transportation and travel were
by stage or by water from Pultneyville ; the advent of this route gave
to the town a commercial importance that it has ever since maintained,
and opened for its .products the best markets of the world. To aid in
the construction of this railroad the town was bonded for $60,000.
These bonds are practically all paid off , and to-day Williamson enjoys
the distinction of being the first town along the route to extinguish the
indebtedness incurred for this purpose, the credit for which is mainly
clue its veteran supervisor, Hon. John P. Bennett.
The first town meeting convened at the dwelling of Timothy Smith
in Marion village in March, 1803, when Daniel Douglass, David Hard-
ing, Leonard Aldrich, and Henry Lovell were elected assessors;
Leonard Aldrich and Stephen Bushnell, commissioners of highways.
The tax levy this year was $145 and the wolf bounty aggregated $52.
March 6, 1804, the second town meeting was held at the residence of
Daniel Powell in Marion and these officers were chosen: Luke Phelps,
supervisor; Daniel Douglass, town clerk; Micajah Harding, Samuel
Millett, Samuel O. Caldwell, assessors; Abraham Pratt, constable and
collector; S. O. Caldwell and Micajah Harding, overseers of the poor;
Jonathan Hill, Henry Lovell, William B. Cogswell, highway commis-
sioners; Micajah Harding and Moses Blakesley, fence viewers; Moses
Blakesley, pound keeper. Five dollars were voted for every wolf
39
30C LANDMARKS OF
killed, four dollars for each bear's head taken, and fifty dollars were to
be reused by tax for the destruction of noxious animals in the town.
The following license was issued to John Fuller, June 1, 1801 :
A. 1 >. 1807, — Be it known that we, the commissioners of excise of the town of
Williamson, in the county of Ontario, Irave licensed, and in pursuance of the statute
provided in such case do hereby license and permit John Fuller, of the town of Wil-
liamson, distiller, to sell by retail any strong or spirituous liquors under five gallons,
provided the same be not drank in his house, outhouse, yard, or garden, from the
date of these presents until the first Thursday in May next. Given under our hands
and seals this first day of June.
Caleb Lyon.
Pardon Di rfee,
William Rooeks,
Executive Committee.
The name of the first supervisor (1803) cannot be ascertained, and it
will also be noticed that the first town meeting was held more than a
year after the town was organized. The supervisors since 1804 have
been :
Luke Phelps, 1804-0. Daniel Grandin, 1845.
Caleb Lyon, L807. John Cottrell, 1846-48.
Luke Phelps, 1808. William Stautenburg, 1849.
Jacob Hallett, 1809-11. Hiram Gallup, 1850-51.
S. II. Caldwell, 1812-16. Hayden W. Curtis, 1852.
David Eddy, 1817-1820. John S. Todd, 1853.
Russell Whipple, 1821-22. Henry W. Brownell, 1854.
Freeman Hart, 1823. Elias Cady, 18.-),-).
Russell Whipple, 1824-34. William H. Rogers, 1856-59.
Daniel Poppino, 1835-36. Benjamin J. Hance, 1860-74.
John Borrodaile, 1837-38. Washington S. Throop, is;;, 78
William Johnson, 1839-40. John P. Bennett, 1879 to 1894 iu-
Jedediah Allen, 1841-44. elusive.
Town officers for 1S(.)4 are : John P. Bennett, supervisor; Frank S.
Wilder, town clerk; H. N. Burr, J. A. French, Samuel Lyon, Amasa
Cady, justices of the peace; Joseph Hanby, Amos F. Selby, Charles S.
Adams, assessors; William A. Coutant, collector; Charles B. Hoag-
land, highway commissioner; John J. Lucknor, overseer of the poor
In 1858 there were in Williamson 14,796 acres of improved land, real
estate valued at $69,632, 2,552 inhabitants, PC) dwellings, 529 families,
128 freeholders, fourteen school districts, and 791 schoolchildren. Agri-
cultural statistics, L858: 994 horses, L,278 working oxen and calves,
l,n:;; cows, 7,509 sheep, 1,519 swine, 8,803 bushels winter wheat, 93,-
l\C bushels spring wheat, 2,943 tons of hay, L3,835 bushels potatoes,
WAYNE COUNTY. Wt
32,702 bushels apples, 91, 822 pounds butter, 36,175 pounds of cheese,
and 845 yards domestic cloths.
The assessed valuation of real estate in the town in 1893 was $694,-
879 (equalized, 664,079); value of village and mill property, $196,925,
(equalized $167,445); value of personal property, $115, 000; total as-
sessed valuation, $1,092,292, (equalized $1,032,012). Schedule of taxes
for 1893: Contingent fund, $751.65; poor fund, $500; roads and
bridges, $250; schools, $944.24; county tax, $2,259.19; State tax,
$1,244.94; insane tax, $321,17; dog tax $119. Total tax levied, $6,025.41 ;
rate per cent, .0060056. The town had a population in 1890 of 2,670,
and in 1893 polled 603 votes. In August, 1890, it was redistricted into
three election districts; in July, 1891, it was again formed into two
election districts.
Settlements were commenced at Pultneyville and Williamson villages
following the year 1804. The pioneers were a sturdy class of New
Englanders, and as the town filled up they imparted to the community
sterling characteristics, which are largely traceable to their descendants
and the present inhabitants. By toil, frugality and hardships they
cleared off the dense forests, transformed the wilderness into produc-
tive farms, and built for themselves and their successors pleasant
homes, substantial churches, good schools, thriving villages.
The first white settler in Williamson was "Yankee Bill" Waters,
who squatted in 1804 at " Appleblossom Point," on the lake shore, a
place that took its name from a few apple trees which he planted. By
sailors it was known as "Apple-boom Point " from its resemblance to
the boom of a vessel. A hunter living only for the sake of mere living,
he remained a few years and suddenly and mysteriously disappeared
forever.
It was about 1800 that the first permanent settlers came into town,
but accurate data concerning them are deplorably lacking. In fact it is
almost impossible to name and locate any comers prior to 1807, in which
year Amasa Gibbs, John Sheffield, James S. Seeley, Gardner and Joel
Calhoun, Andrew Stewart, and William Rogers came in. Mr. Gibbs
bought 300 acres of lots 61 and 02, which upon his death passed to his
heirs. Seeley located on fifty acres west of Williamson village, and a
few years aftewards moved west. Joel Calhoun settled on lot 61 on
the Ridge, and his brother Gardner located on lot 25. Reuben, a grand-
son of Joel, now resides in town. Andrew Stewart came with his wife
and twelve children. A native of Scotland, he first settled in Herki-
308 LANDMARKS OF
mer county, whence he moved here and located on lot 3. He finally
sold to .Major William Rogers, an Englishman, who had settled at the
Corners. Major Rogers served in the war of 181*2, and until 1816 kept
hotel here. Some years afterwards he moved to Palmyra, but returned
and died in Williamson village. His children, Sophia, Lucy, Harriet,
William, jr., and Franklin, survived him. His grandson, George F.,
lives in town. Major Rogers was very active in inducing his country-
men to locate in Williamson.
In 1806 J; W. Hallett was appointed deputy land agent for this town
and for his services was given 1,000 acres on the lake shore, includ-
ing the site of Pultneyville. He built a log house in that year on a lot
recently occupied by Mrs. Samuel Cuyler. He settled in Macedon in
J 824. Capt. Samuel Throop located on the site of Pultneyville in 1806,
removing thence from Farmington. He navigated Lake Ontario until
1819, when he was drowned from the schooner Nancy while entering
Sodus Bay during a gale. He was originally from Connecticut, was a
paymaster in the war of 1812, and sailed the first vessel owned at Pult-
neyville.
Jeremiah Selby, a millwright from Connecticut, settled at Pultney-
ville soon after 1806 and built there the first saw and grist mill in the
town. His sons, Jared, Dyer, and Brainard went west. A grandson,
Joseph Church, born in Palmyra, came to live with him when thirteen
years old. He was a carpenter here many years.
Matthew Martin settled on the first lot west of Hallett's reservation,
which his grandson, Evelyn Cornwall, afterwards owned. Martin was
a Pennsylvanian. He was one of the earliest settlers of this town and
brought with him the first sheep, cattle and horses. He also planted
the first corn and sowed the first wheat in Williamson.
Elder Fairbanks was presented with 100 acres of land by the Pnltney
estate on condition that he would come here and preach the gospel two
years. He came in 1810 and located on his lot in the northeast corner
of the town, and thus became the pioneer minister. Upon similar con-
ditions Rev. George D. Phelps, an Episcopal clergyman, received a lot
and settled just west of Fairbanks. He held two slaves who were
emancipated by the law abolishing slavery in this State. From 1813
he continued to preach until a few years before his death. In 1810
William Ilolling settled the lot next west and John Abel located on the
II allett reservation.
In 1808 Anion Pratt settled on the northwest lot in the town, where
WAYNE COUNTY • 309
he died, and which was long- owned by his descendants. The father of
Egbert B. Grandin located on the second farm west of Hallett's reser-
vation. Egbert B. Grandin was once the editor of the Wayne Sentinel
and the publisher of the "Book of Mormon."
On Jersey street the first settlers were a Mr. Conk, who located on
the farm afterwards purchased by William Shipman; John Mason, who
was drowned at Pultneyville, and who was the father of Charles and
Joseph Mason; David Fish and Luther Bristol, who moved west;
Joseph Lewis; Thomas Cooper, who died on his homestead; Stephen
Fish, who came with his children, David, Isaac, Zolovicl, Thomas,
Perns, Stephen, jr., Harriet, Charity and Phoebe (Mrs. Stephen Ger-
rolds), in 1811; Lyman Seymour, who died in Sodus; Jacob Wilber;
Joseph Landin; John White; Silas Nash; Nathan Arnold; Abraham
Peer, father of Mrs. Remington Kiny on; Benjamin Waters, who died
and was buried on his farm; John Lambert, who went west; Ebenezer
Seymour, who sold to Enos Sanford; and Josiah Wilber, James Web-
ster, Daniel Hart, Andrew Stewart, William and Joseph Johnson,
Timothy Culver and Whitford Hatch.
Ansel Cornwall, who was born in Chatham, Conn., in 1789, came to
Williamson in 1812. He was twice married and by trade was a carpen-
ter. He built the first church (Union) and contributed $1,000 towards
the erection of the M. E. Church in Pultneyville. At his death he was
the oldest man in town and the oldest Free Mason in the county.
Zimri Waters was born in Pultneyville in 1811, and died in Septem-
ber, 1870. He was a staunch temperance advocate, a Republican and
spiritualist, and had five children.
Andrew and William Cornwall came to Pultneyville from Connecti-
cut about 1809. William soon afterward died, and in 1810 Andrew-
married Eliza B. Martin, which was the first marriage in town, the
ceremony being performed by an Irish missionary. Mr. Cornwall en-
gaged in cabinet making, served as magistrate eighteen years, and died
in 1854. His sons were AndrewT, jr., Evelyn, and Dr. William.
Other early settlers of the town were Joel Howe, Jeremiah Cady,
James Calhoun in 1808, Hugh Clark on lot 23, Enoch Tuttle on lot Gl,
Amos White, Col. John Cottrellin 1810, Isaac Fish in 1811, Justin Eddy
in 1809, Alexander White in 1811, Daniel Poppino (father of Samuel
wS.), and Merritt Adams in 1808. At Pultneyville were Abraham Pep-
per, Thomas Thatcher (a blacksmith), Elisha Wood (a mason), Richard
Sweet (a tanner), Richard White, Robert Armstrong, John De Krumft
310 • LANDMARKS OF
(a cabinet maker), Perkins and Jacob Dana (coach and sleigh makers),
Simeon S. Strong, A. J. Deming, M. A. Blakeley, William Ingalls,
Oliver Cobb, Charles Gilbert and Samuel Gilbert.
The first birth of a white person in the town was that of Capt. H.
11. Throop at Pultneyville, November in, ISO?. The first female child
born in Williamson was his sister Julia, born in 1809. The first deaths
were those of a son (aged three) and daughter (aged one) of Samuel
Throop, who, with their parents and Robert Armstrong and Jeremiah
Selby, were capsized from a boat on the lake; all escaped except the
children.
Alpheus Curtis, a Revolutionary soldier, settled in town at an early
day and died here; a son survives him. His old house stood on the
site of the present residence of Joseph Britton. Benjamin Thompkin-
son, a native of England, came here with his parents and located east
of Pultneyville. He became a licensed exhorter and subsequently an
ordained local preacher of the M. E. church.
Myron Holley Bennett was born here in 1820 and died in 1887. At-
kinson Sayles was born in England in 1811, Williamson in 1831,
and died in July, L890. Remington Kinyon, born in Hartford, N. V.,
in 1803, moved here early in life and died October 31, 1891. Augustus
Beach was born in Canada in L818, removed to Marion when eighteen,
and finally came to AVilliamson, where he died in 1892. Isaac E.
Shipley, a life long resident of Pultneyville, died in June, L892. George
W. Miller, a wagonmaker and a member of the M. E. church, died
here in March, 1888, after a residence of fifty-six years. Deacon Ros-
well Harkness, a native of Marion, died here the same year. M. Aaron
Thorp, another old settler, died in May, 1889. J. D. Pearsall was long
an active business man in Williamson village and prominently con-
nected with the work of surveying the Lake Shore Railroad through
the town, being appointed one of tin- railroad commissioners. He built
the warehouse and elevator near the depot, and died in L890.
John Pallister and his sons, A. A. and M. \\, at Pultneyville, be-
came prominently identified with that village. The father died here
in December, L889, aged nearly eighty-one. The death of his daughter,
Mrs. Evelyn Cornwall, occurred March 31, L891.
Norman Meaker came to Williamson on the canal soon after 1825,
followed farming and droving, and died here in July, L881. He was
of the first to engage in shipping produce from Wayne county to
New York, and at an advanced aged was a soldier in the war of the
Rebellion two ami a half years.
WAYNE COUNTY. :;il
Dr. Josiah Bennett, the second physician in town, came in L815, and
Spent his life here. Wesson Pratt, who died June 30, L894, aged nearly
ninety-two, was then the oldest man in town. His son, Alanson, re-
sides on the homestead. Samuel Gilbert, a native of Connecticut, came
to the Genesee country on his wedding- trip. At Canandaigua he got
stranded, but borrowing five dollars of Major William Rogers (who had
removed there from Williamson), he came to this town and with the
money purchased five acres of land on contract, which he soon sold and
bought 100 acres farther back in the woods. Two of his sons live in
the Russell neighborhood in Marion.
Prominent among other settlers were William Tuttle, born in 1799,
died here in February, 1886; Lorenzo Fish, for twenty-four years post-
master at Pultneyville, died January 23, 1885; John J. Morley. a ship-
builder, son of Hon. Horace Morley, born in Pultneyville in Novem-
ber, 1823, died in Rochester in August, 1885; Hon. William H. Rogers,
supervisor and assemblyman, who removed to New Jersey in 1887
after residing here fifty-one years; and John Reynolds, who was born
in 1803, came to Pultneyville in 1829, engaged in business as a mer-
chant, became an active operator of the "underground railroad," was
postmaster under Tyler's administration, and died October 15, 1882.
John P. Bennett, son of Dr. Josiah Bennett, is the town's most prom-
inent resident. He has been supervisor continuously since 1879, was
county sheriff from 1861 to 1867, and assemblyman in 1890.
Hon. Samuel C. Cuyler was the most distinguished citizen this town
ever had. Born in Aurora, N. Y., in 1808, the son of a lawyer, he was
educated in Cayuga Academy and settled in Pultneyville in 1830. His
mother was a. sister of Samuel F. Ledyard, of that village. Mr. Cuyler
early became an ardent temperance advocate and a strong abolitionist,
and ever afterward lived the life of a true reformer. He was originally
a Whig and in 1840 joined the Liberty party. In 1848 he became a
Free Soiler and in 1855 was elected to the State Senate on the Repub-
lican ticket. For seven years he was collector of customs at Pultney-
ville. When the anti-slavery struggle opened he espoused the cause
of emancipation and throughout the country his house became famous
as a depot of the "underground railroad." From it boat load after
boat load of slaves were sent to Canada, many of them by Capt. H. N.
Throop's steamer. Mr. Cuyler was a born orator and during his two
years' service in the Legislature, made a number of effective speeches
in favor of equal suffrage. He died February 13, 1872, and was buried
312 LANDMARKS OF
in Lake View Cemetery at Pultneyville. His son, Ledyard S. Cuyler,
survives him and is now clerk of Wayne county. Among- Mr. Cuyler's
active co-workers in freeing slaves were Abram Pryne, Capt. Throop,
and Griffith Cooper, of Williamson; Dr. Cook, of Sodus; and William
R. Smith, of Macedon.
Capt. H. N. Throop was born in Pultneyville November 10, 1807, and
was a son of the Samuel Throop previously mentioned. From the age
of fourteen he followed the business of boat building and commanding
lake vessels, and during his life built at Pultneyville a number of
schooners, yachts, and steamers. Among" the more important vessels
which Capt. Throop constructed were the steamer Ontario and the
steam yacht Magic. His brother, Washington S., was associated with
him more or less in business, and under the hitter's supervision the
captain built in 1832 the stone house in Pultneyville, which he occupied
until his death, April L3, L884."
Prominent among other citizens of the town may be mentioned the
names of John Adams, the no-license commissioner; Darius F. Rus-
sell, grandson of Daniel (who settled very early on the old Sodus road),
who resides on the homestead; the Wake family; John A. Sprague,
coroner; Reuben Nash, who died here a few years since; R. M. and
G. F. Cheetham, brothers, bankers; and William Eaton. Numerous
others are noticed a little further on and in Part II of this work.
During the rebellion the town sent 172 of her citizens to defend the
Union. A number of these were killed in action and several died in
rebel prisons. Of those who returned but few have survived the lapse
of time to tell the story of the great conflict.
There are four cemeteries in this town. The first land used for
burial purposes was a plat on the Martin farm, and among the first
burials therein were Mrs. J. W. Hallett, William Cornwall, and Robert
Armstrong. This is now Lake View Cemetery at Pultneyville and for
its maintenance an association was legally incorporated a few years
since. Albert A. Pallister is secretary and superintendent. A little
west of Williamson village on the south side of the Ridge road is an-
other pretty burial ground. The first interment in it was the body of
Mrs. Seeley, in L809, and the second a child of William Rogers. There
is also ;i v at East Williamson, and an old burying ground on
the west side of the road near tin- Marion town line.
The first school house was erected on the present public square in
Pultneyville' in 1808, and a Mr. Morrison was the first teacher therein.
WAYNE COUNTY. 313
It was burned in the winter of L816— 17, and in L811 a larger building
was erected on the site. This was used until it was superseded by i In-
present stone structure. Schools have been maintained at Williamson
since 1811 and at East Williamson from an early day. At the former
village there is a good graded school with F. L. Coop as principal. The
town now has fourteen districts with a school house in each, in which
sixteen teachers are employed. The -whole number of children who
attended these schools in 1803-4 was 579; value of school buildings and
sites, $10,115; assessed valuation of the districts, $1,019,000; public
money received from the State, $1,957.80; amount raised by local tax,
$-2,111.81.
Williamson Village. — This is a post village and a station of the R.
W. & O. Railroad a little south of the center of the town. Major Will-
iam Rogers came here in 1808 and took up 100 acres on the west side
of the four corners. In the same year Abraham Gallup purchased a
similar tract on the southeast corner and John Holcomb on the north-
east corner. These were the only inhabitants in the south part of the
town at that time. They each built a log house and Major Rogers
opened a tavern in his. This old tavern dwelling was twenty by fifteen
feet in size and one story high. It was divided into two rooms, one for
the family, the other for the bar room, and stood just west of the site
of the present hotel. In 1810 a log addition 12x16 feet was added for a
bar room, and a few shelves were partially filled with a variety of goods
and groceries. Rogers kept this tavern until 1816, when the property
was purchased by Dennison Rogers, of Palmyra. The latter built a
small frame addition, which was used in connection with the log part,
was rented to different parties, changed hands, rebuilt, and finally
burned. Major Rogers was the first postmaster and had his office in
this tavern store. The "post route " from Canandaigua to Pultneyville
passed through this settlement. Mr. Holcomb removed to Sod us in
1811, and Simeon S. Strong transformed his log house into a black-
smith shop. It stood on the lot occupied by John French. Mr. Strong
carried on his trade here until his death in 1827. He also manufac-
tured rifles.
About 1815 the first regular store was opened by Alfred J. Deming
in a part of the frame building now occupied on the same site by Frank
Gordon & Co. William Gallup built the first frame dwelling in is In,
in which he kept a tavern for a period ; this is now a part of George
Russell's residence. The first school house was a log building erected
40
:;il LANDMARKS OF
in L811, a little west of the tavern, and in it John Lambert was the
first teacher. In L815 the place comprised two hotels, one store, a
blacksmith shop, a school house, and one frame and live log- houses.
Drs. Bigelow and Josiah Bennett were the earliest physicians.
The Williamson steam flouring mill was built by William Eaton, the
present proprietor, in L873, with three runs of stones. In May, 1891,
these were replaced by a full roller process.
C. J. Muhl and C. J. Elve formerly carried on quite an extensive
business here in their respective establishments in the manufacture of
wagons and sleighs; but their work now is largely confined to repair-
ing.
R. ML Cheetham & Co. (F. G. Cheetham) opened their private bank
July 15, L893. It is the first and only banking institution in the town.
The Williamson Fire Company No. 1 was organized April 20, 1889,
with forty members. A brake engine and a hose cart, ladders, and
over 500 feet of hose were purchased at a cost of about $600. A frame
engine house is now (1894) in process of erection, which, with the lot,
costs $800. J. A. French is foreman of the company.
Williamson village now contains three general stores, two hardware
;s, a drug store, two hotels, two liveries, a newspaper, a private
bank, a clothing store, two jewelry stores, a furniture and undertaking
establishment, one grocery, a variety store, a photograph gallery, five
physicians, one attorney, one dentist, a harness shop, two meat mar-
kets, three blacksmiths, two milliner)* stores, two carriage and wagon
dealers, two wood-working shops, a flouring mill, two warehouses and
produce dealers, a lumber yard and planing mill, three churches and
about loo inhabitants. The present postmaster is Abraham Clic-
quennoi.
I'i i r\i;\ \ii.i i ■:. - -This village was named from Sir William Pultney,
one of the proprietors of the Pultney estate. It lies on the lake shore
at the mouth of Salmon Creek, near the center of the north border of
i. and is a United States port of entry in the Genesee district.
During the aboriginal occupancy of the country this point was a favor-
ite meeting place of the Indians; here they met the French voyageurs
in their maloupes; here they came on fishing excursions; here the
French expedition of L686, against the Senecas, made a hah; and here
was the end of an Indian trail which led to Seneca Lake, and over
which the early mails were carried once a week from Canandaigua, by
Andrew Stewart on horseback. The first postmaster was Samuel Led-
WAYNE COUNTY. 315
yard. Merc also Commodore Vco landed a small force of English
marines in June, IS 14, which were fired on by the militia that had as-
sembled under Gen. John Swift. It had been agreed between the
commanders that the British were to have all the public property in
the place, but persons and private property were to be respected. Most
of the United States stores had been removed. Boats landed and took
on board a quantity of flour from the storehouse. The American
militia were stationed some distance back, and it was understood by
them that the British were confined by the stipulation to the warehouse
yard. Two or three of them came outside some distance, and were
fired upon by one of the militia, and an officer was wounded. A signal
was at once given to the fleet, which commenced firing, and the party
on shore went to the tavern and captured Richard White and Russell
Cole, and thence to the storehouse and took Prescott Fairbanks. Cole
escaped before leaving shore; the others were taken to Montreal. Fair-
banks was soon released, and White was exchanged some time after.
Fortunately for Pultneyville and her people, a signal was given to the
fleet that they were needed in another quarter, and the shore party,
hastily taking to their boats, pulled away. In this skirmish the British
suffered a loss of two killed and two wounded. One man was killed on
shore by their own firing, and the other on the ship by the premature
discharge of a cannon. The militia lost none.
As early stated, J. W. Hallett was given 1,000 acres of land, where
Pultneyville now is, in 1806; he accordingly settled here that year, as
also did vSamuel Throop and Samuel Ledyard. In 1807 Mr. Throop
erected on village lot No. 2 the first frame house in the place, and in it
he kept tavern until 1810. Mr. Hallett:s log dwelling, built in 1806,
stood on a lot subsequently owned by Mrs. Samuel C. Cuyler. Jeremiah
Selby in 1808 put up another on the corner of Washington and Jay
streets; in 1809 he erected a saw mill and grist mill, one on each side
of the mouth of Salmon Creek. Near these mills during that year
Samuel Ledyard built the first log store building here; several years
later he superseded it with a frame structure twenty rods east of the
log house. Mr. Ledyard also constructed piers for a harbor, built two
warehouses, and began a forwarding and shipping business to Canada
and down the St. Lawrence. Russell Cole put up a blacksmith shop,
and afterward built a larger one on the site of the James B. Cragg
house.
In 1810 Russell Whipple built a larger tavern which comprised a part
316 LANDMARKS OF
of the hotel that was burned in 1887. The year before a tannery and
distillery had been placed in operation. The old tannery building- is
now used as a eider mill and dry house. In 1812 the village consisted
of a saw mill, a grist mill, one store, one tavern, a distillery, a tannery,
two warehouses, a cabinet shop, a school house, and about twenty
dwellings. April 12, 1887, fire destroyed the old hotel (which had been
kept several years by William Smith), a drug store, harness shop, two
dwelling houses and the post-office.
The first physician was Dr. Mallory in 1810. In 1819 a Mr. Allen
started a forge. In 1825 a Union church edifice was built, the corner
stone being laid by members of Pultneyville Lodge, No. 159, F. and
A. M., which was organized in 1811. This building was lengthened
and remodeled a few years since, a basement put under it, and is now
the (hites Public Hall. The grist mill here was erected by James B.
Cragg, and upon his death passed into the hands of his sons. The
present proprietor is George Lee.
Pultneyville now contains a hotel, two general stores, a drug store,
two blacksmith shops, a cooperage, one flouring mill, a lumber yard,
a public hall, storage and forwarding business, a government light-
house, two churches, a district school, and about 300 inhabitants. The
postmistress is Ellen Tufts.
E \m' Williamson.— This little rural hamlet was settled by Holland-
ers at an early date. It is located near the east border of the town,
south of the railroad, and consists of a post-office, two stores, two
churches, a blacksmith shop, school, and about twenty dwellings. The
postmaster is J. J. Lacknor.
Churches. — The First Presbyterian Church of Williamson was or-
ganized by Rev. Allen C. Collins, a missionary, November 21, 1816,
the constituent members being: Isaac Curtis, Barnabas Moss, Luther
Bristol, Alinda Paddock, Lucretia and Nancy Moody, Eunice Nash,
Christiana Mason, Wilhelmina Pepper, John Albright, Abraham Pep-
per. Maria Fairbanks, Catharine Curtis, and Marcia De Kruyft. The
first church edifice was a brick structure erected in 1828, one-fourth of
a mile south of Williamson village. It cost $3,000, and was used until
L859, when it was demolished. From that year until 1862 meetings
were held in the Baptist Church. The present edifice was begun in
the latter year and finished in L866. The first settled pastor was Rev.
lei White, who was installed January 24, 1 s is. The society has
now eighty-five members, under Rev. L. W. Page, of Rochester,
WAYNE COUNTY.
317
pastor. The Sunday school was organized as early as 1832; the pres-
ent superintendent is Edward Cornish.
The First Baptist Church of Williamson was organized by Rev. Mar-
vin Allen, with thirty members December 12, 1826, the first trustees
being" David Williams, Pasqua Austin, Dr. Josiah Bennett, Daniel Pop-
pino, James Wright, R. A. Lee, and Lewis Bradley. The first church
building was erected on the site of the present edifice in 1827, and was
dedicated the same year by Rev. Mr. Allen, the first pastor. It was a
"galleried" structure, and was built by subscription "payable in grain
or money." In 1842 it was burned and in the next year the present
cobble stone church was built; it was dedicated by Rev. Seth Ewer in
184H. The society has about sixty members under the pastoral charge
of Rev. C. B. Welcome. The Sunday school, which was organized
with the church, has seventy-five scholars, with Nelson Olcott as super-
intendent.
The Second Methodist Episcopal Church of Williamson was incor-
porated March 26, 1828, with the following members:
Serall Robins,
John Wake,
Richard Britton,
Ira Clark,
John M. Bull,
David Alexander,
S. P. W. Douglass,
George Howell,
Anthony Wake,
Erastus Seely,
Thomas Wake,
Benjamin Green,
Richard Abbey,
Thomas Pallister,
John Clark,
Earl Wilcox,
Levi Eddy,
John Hutchins,
Stephen Skellinger and wife
Charles B. Gardner,
Jonathan Wake,
Nathaniel Russell,
Allen C. Tracy,
Lyman Robins,
Isaac Fish,
Lyman Sandford,
Thomas Britton,
J. W. Sherman,
Simeon Miller,
William Danforth,
A. B. Pepper,
William Wake,
Harry Fish,
William Grigsby,
Munson Seelv.
The original trustees were Richard Britton, John Wake, and Serall
Robins. The first house of worship was built of cobble stone in 1830,
and still stands on the south side of the Ridge road about two miles
west from Williamson village. It has always been locally known as the
" Ridge Chapel. " In 1856, when the present church was erected in
the village, the chapel was converted into a dwelling and is now used
as a dry goods house by John Starks. The present pastor is Rev. John
E. Showers. The society has always maintained regular services and
is in a flourishing condition.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pultneyville apparently had
a nominal existence prior to 1830, for in 1833 there was a record of a
318 LANDMARKS OF
parsonage being purchased. It is known that an edifice was erected
in L825 (the same building- since remodeled and raised, was known as
Gates Public hall) by the Union Society, which was independent of gen-
eral church government, but which contributed the use of the church
in any Christian denomination. This house was used for more than a
generation and was maintained by disposing of the pews on subscrip-
tion. The first settled pastor was Rev. E. H. Cranmer, in lS51-:>.
The society was incorporated April S, L872. with John Van Winkle,
Albert Milliman, Ansel Cornwall, James Shipley, and Walter Shipley,
trustees. The corner stone of the present brick church was laid July
1. is! 4. under pastoral charge of Rev. J. A. Fellows, jr. It was dedi-
cated March 27, 1875, and cost $7,888.76. In 1878 a new parsonage
was built nearly on the site of the old one at a cost of about $1,200.
The present membership is 100. Rev. Byron B. Showers is pastor,
and Isaac Fisher, superintendent of the Sunday School.
The Reformed Church of Pultneyville was organized May 13, 1850,
the first pastor being Rev. A. K. Kasse. The)7 first worshiped in a
building removed here from East Williamson, where it had been used
as a Presbyterian chapel. It is now a storehouse owned by Mary Cot-
trell. The present frame church was built in 1872 and cost about
$4,000. The parsonage was built in 1888, and cost $1,215. The so-
ciety has about 170 members, under the pastoral care of Rev. M. Van
I )orn.
Protestant Episcopal services were held at a comparatively early date
at the house of Samuel Ledyard in Pultneyville, and St. Paul's Epis-
copal Church was formally organized. It had but a brief existence,
however, and never acquired a substantial meeting place.
The Reformed Church of East Williamson was organized November
1. L854, by the Presbytery of Rochester. It had forty constituent mem-
bers and Rev. A. B. Veenhuizen was installed the first pastor. In
L852 a cobble stone church was built and it was used until 1890, when
the present frame edifice was built at a cost of $6,200. It was dedi-
cated February L0, L891. A frame parsonage was built in 1883 and
cost $1,700. The lot of ten acres on which the buildings stand was
purchased of Josiah Bruno in L882 for $2, The society has 261
members, with Rev. Martin < >ssewaarde, pastor.
The First Free Methodist Church of East Williamson was organized
October 6, L866, by Rev. Benjamin Winget. Services were held in
school houses and dwellings until 1887, when the present frame church
WAYNE COUNTY. 319
was built; the parsonage was built in 1889, the entire property now
being- worth about $2,800. The first pastors were Rev. Charles Bee-
man and wife, the latter a licensed evangelist. The present pastor is
Rev. James A. Tholens. The membership is 35.
CHAPTER XXI.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF ONTARIO.
( hitario, the northwest corner town in Wayne county, was set off
from Williamson as Freetown on the 27th of March, 1807. The name
was changed February 12, 1808. As originally constituted it included
also Walworth, which was organized into a separate township April 20,
1829. This town derives its appellation from Lake Ontario, which
forms its northern boundary; Williamson lies on the east, Walworth on
the south, and Monroe county on the west. It contains an area of
19,171 acres.
Excellent drainage is afforded by Bear, Deer, and Davis Creeks,
which flow northerly into the lake. The surface is generally level,
with a slight inclination northward; through the south part of the town
extends the famous ridge, to the north of which the soil is a clay loam ;
on the south it is largely a gravelly loam and muck. The chief in-
dustry is farming. Wheat, oats, barley and fruit are grown in abun-
dance. Considerable attention is given to raspberries and apples, and
there are a number of well equipped evaporators scattered throughont
the town.
In 1810 Noah Fuller, while hunting, found two salt springs, which
he secured by title and sold to Stimson & Schanks, who commenced
manufacturing salt the same year. They continued the business five
or six years, but it proved unprofitable and they abandoned it.
In 1811 a Mr. Knickerbocker, in digging a well near the center of
the town, discovered the first bed of iron ore here in the form of red
oxide. Extending east and west, it had an average width of half a
mile and a depth of from six to forty inches. Little notice was taken
of Knickerbocker's discovery until four or five years later, when
Samuel Smith, one of Walworth's pioneers, constructed a forge near
320 LANDMARKS OF
the furnace dam and began manufacturing iron at the rate of 400
pounds per day. Soon afterward two more forges were erected. In
L825 Henry S. Gilbert built the first furnace on the site of the one re-
cently abandoned at Furnaceville. Its capacity was three or four tons
daily, and the iron was drawn to Rochester. In 1840 the Clinton Iron
Company erected another furnace of six or seven tons capacity on the
property subsequently owned by Joseph La Frois. This was carried
on until 1867, when the plant was burned.
In February, 1870, the Ontario Iron Company was organized with
these officers: James Brackett, president; Isaac Palmer, vice-president;
W. H. Bowman, secretary and treasurer; the latter was succeeded by
John H. White in 1873, and two years later William H. Averill became
secretary, and Isaac S. Averill treasurer. A large furnace, containing
two blast ovens and two blooming tubes, was erected in 1870 at Fur-
naceville, the site of Gilbert's pioneer establishment, and the first iron
was manufactured October 10. The capacity was twenty tons of No. 1
iron per clay, and, including the miners, from 100 to -200 men were
employed. A switch connected the furnace with the R., W. & O. Rail-
road at Ontario village, and upon it a locomotive and several cars were
placed by the company. About $200,000 were expended in the enter-
prise, and several ore beds were opened and worked. The business
eventually declined, and in 1887 the works were permanently aban-
doned. The old stone walls, the railroad, the adjacent ore beds and
heaps of iron refuse are the only evidences left of one of the largest
manufacturing establishments ever founded in Wayne county.
The town was originally covered with heavy timber; portions of the
surface were marshy and conducive to the creation and spread of mias-
matic diseases, which troubled the early settlers for many years. Suf-
fering from all the hardships and privations incident to a new country,
it is not surprising that many of them became discouraged, but if they
did history fails to record the fact. The pioneers braved the perils of
frontier life witli commendable heroism, and established for succeeding
generations comfortable homes, thriving villages, nourishing churches,
and excellent schools. The fruits of their labors, seen on every hand,
attest their Sterling characteristics and exalted ideas of civilization.
The Lake Ontario Shore Railroad (now the R., \Y. & ().) was con-
structed through the town and opened in is1; I, for which bonds were
voted to theamountof $85,000 on December 24, L870, when Lorenzo R.
Boyington, Ilezekiah Hill, and Alonzo \V. Casey were appointed rail-
WAYNE COUNTY. 321
road commissioners. In May, 1871, $5, <)<)(> <>l stock of said railroad was
subscribed for at par, and in September following $51,000 in bonds
were issued, the balance of $34,000 being issued about September,
1.873. December 4, 1893, the net indebtedness of the town was esti-
mated at $50,517.21. The opening of the road imparted a new impetus
to this section. Prior to its construction transportation and communica-
tion were carried on by teams or by water from Pultneyville.
It is impossible to ascertain any information concerning the earliest
town meetings as the records prior to 1878 are destroyed. The first
town meeting after Walworth was set off was held at Ashville Culver's
tavern in Ontario village in April, 1830, and among the officers chosen
were the following : Henry S. Gilbert, supervisor; John Stolph, town
clerk: Joseph Patterson and Ashville Culver, magistrates; Daniel In-
man, collector; Alonzo Peckham, constable. The supervisors since
1878 have been :
Stephen N. Maine, 1878-82. Russell Johnson, 1889-91.
Francis A. Hill, 1883-88. Freeman Pintler, 1892-93.
Charles J. Nash was elected town clerk in 1879 and has served con-
tinuously to the present time. The Board of Health was organized
April 20, 1882. The officers for 1894 are E. D. Willits, supervisor;
Charles J. Nash, town clerk; Walter L. Cone, Chauncey C. Norton,
Harvey Jones, assessors; George H. Brown, Russell Johnson, Oscar
C. Palmer, Horatio Waldo, justices of the peace; William Jamieson,
collector; Charles Fewster, highway commissioner; Charles Gurney,
overseer of the poor.
The first settler in Ontario was Freeman Hopkins, who came from
Rhode Island and located on the lake shore in 1806. Being a Quaker,
and consequently deprecating warfare, he returned with his family to
the east upon the beginning of hostilities with the British in 1812, but
came again to this town in 1818. He built the first saw -mill, and be-
coming blind in old age he drowned himself in a cistern. The birth of
his daughter Melissa on May 7, 1806, was the first in Ontario.
In 1807 Peter Thatcher settled with his family in the north part of
the town in a log cabin which he had caused to be built the )^ear be-
fore. He came in a one-horse wagon from Oneida county, and was the
pioneer blacksmith in Ontario, building a log shop near his home in
1811. Daniel Inman came here from Connecticut in 1807 and pur-
chased 400 acres where Ontario village now stands. He erected his log
41
322 LANDMARKS OF
dwelling on the site of the old steam mill. In L810 lie built the first
tavern and at an early day put up a saw mill. He was the first post-
master and collector in town, and a prominent and influential man for
many years. With his son Joseph, he finally went west. The same
year James Lavens, also from Connecticut, purchased 99^ acres of lot
76 for $298.50 and settled his family upon it. His daughter was Mrs.
Joseph W. Gates.
In L808 Jonas Davis located on the farm which finally passed to his
nephew, Munson Davis. About the same time came Noah Fuller from
Massachusetts, Major Inglesby, from Connecticut, and Messrs. Fifer and
Kilburn. The latter died in Webster and Fifer in this town. Major
Inglesby was a Revolutionary soldier, and eventually moved west.
Elder Wilkins came from Massachusetts with a large family and settled
near the lake shore. He died soon afterward and the family removed.
From this date to 1810 few settlers arrived. In the latter year Isaac
Simmons came in from Connecticut, and in 1815 built a tavern, which he
kept a few years, when he moved to Monroe county. Amos, Amasa, and
Levi Thayer removed from Rhode Island and located on the ridge in
the west part of the town, but they soon went to Palmyra and engaged
in merchandising. Willard Church (on the lake shore), John Case, and
David Jennings settled in Ontario about the same time.
In 1811 Zebedee Hodges came in; he was the father of Zebedee J.
and Isaac Z. Hodges and Mrs. Jesse Hurley. The same year Dr. Will-
iam Greenwood, the pioneer physician, located at Ontario village and
practiced until his death in 1829. Milton Worster, who had settled in
Macedon in 1810, came here in 1811 and began the manufacture of axes
in a log shop, an occupation he followed in Ontario village many years.
Alfred Town located on the Peter Freer farm and died here. losiah
Goodman, a Vermonter, removed hither from Oneida county with his
son Alanson, then fifteen years of age. William Billings and Nathaniel
Grant were pioneers in the west and center parts of the town respect-
ively; the latter died here and the former in Webster. The death of
Harriet Kilburn occurred in 1811, and was the first in town.
William Middleton removed from New Jersey to Montgomery
county, N. V., and thence to Ontario. In 1S10 he purchased 300 acres
of land on the lake shore for $3 per acre, and settled his family thereon
in L812. He was the first hatter in town and prosecuted the business
t twenty years. His son Joseph succeeded to the paternal home-
stead. John Stolph, the first clerk of the present township, became a
WAYNE COUNTY. 323
settler the same year; he finally removed to Illinois. Nathan Ilalloek,
the first tailor, resided near the lake shore until his death. George
Sawyer came from Connecticut and located on the Ridge road west of
Ontario Center, whence he moved eighteen years later to Michigan.
The war of 1812 checked the tide of immigration and few settlers ar-
rived until that conflict subsided. In 1813 George Putnam, the father of
Mrs. Chauncey Smith, located in the northwest corner of the town and
Burton Simmons and Jared Putnam near the Monroe county line. The
three were from Connecticut. Among others who came in about this
time were Samuel Sabin, John Edmonds, Lewis Janes, and Abraham
Smith.
In 1815 Ezekiel Alcott settled in town and commenced the manu-
facture of pearlash. He was a man of considerable enterprise and in-
fluence. The following year Ashviile Culver and Isaac Gates came to
Ontario. The former was an early tavern keeper and one of the first
magistrates of the present town. Mr. Gates had eighteen children, all
but four of whom accompanied him hither from Chenango county. In
1817 Joseph W. Gates, a son of Isaac, made a visit here and in 1818
settled permanently. He taught school winters, was married in 1820,
and purchased an article of Stephen Sabin for fifty acres of land at $5
per acre.
Hezekiah Hill was born in 1811, in Walworth, where his parents
had settled in 1800, and where his father died in 1815. He early
taught school, held several town offices, married a daughter of Samuel
Strickland, and moved to Ontario village in 1848. He laid out the site
into village lots and sold them. He was a very prominent man and
always highly respected.
Other early settlers were Gardner Robb, Samul Gilbert, Henry Barn-
hart, Henry S. Gilbert, a Mr. Knickerbocker, Alonzo Peckham, Messrs.
Stimson & Schanks, Alanson* Goodnow, Joseph Middleton, Cyrus
Thatcher, Reynolds K. Northrup, Israc Pratt and Jonathan Chandler.
Nathan K. Pound came here in March, 1835, and held various town
offices.
Prominent among subsequent settlers and present residents of On-
tario may be mentioned the names of:
Freeman Pintler, Alanson Warner, Charles Pease.
A. W. Casey, D. L. Reed, Aldrich Thayer, and
G. W. Crandall, O. F. Whitney, Joseph W. Gates, two
Dr. F. M. Ellsworth, Dr. L. D. Rhodes, of the oldest citizens.
324 LANDMARKS OF
W. E. Clark, E. Rood, jr., Melvin B. Gates,
X. A. Pitts, B. B. Weeks, E. D. Willits,
B. W. Gates, M. A. Risley, J. C. Howk,
F. A. Hill, J. A. Stokes, Alexander Sands,
P.H.Norton, N. C. Richmond, G.P.Norton,
B.J, Hopkins, Edson Smith, Charles J. Nash,
J. B. Pratt, Flynn Whitcomb (ex- R. A. Woodhams,
member of Assembly,)
And many others noticed a little farther on and in Part II. of this
work.
The first grist mill in town was erected about 1825 by Henry Barn-
hart, on the farm subsequently owned by Henry Brewer. It has long
been discontinued for milling purposes. In an old warehouse in the
northeast corner of Ontario, an early, and probably the first, store was
opened in 1830 by Henry S. Gilbert, who closed out at the end of two
years.
The first school house was a log structure erected about 1816 on the
lake road, on the farm latterly owned by Abraham Albright. It was
finally demolished and a stone building put up near by ; the latter in turn
gave place to a brick school house. In 1820 a school building was
erected on the Daniel Eldridge place in which Lucy Chandler taught
the first three terms. In 1835 the structure was torn down. In June,
L894, districts 5 and 6, comprising the villages of Ontario and Ontario
Center, were united to form a union free school district, and the sum
of $8,000 was voted for the erection of a suitable school house near the
old dividing line. It is expected to have the building in readiness for
the fall term of school.
The town has fourteen districts, with a school house in each, taught
during the year L892— 3 by sixteen teachers and attended by 069 scholars;
value of buildings and sites, $11,450; assessed valuation of districts,
sl. 1 76,000; public money received from the State, $2,057.82; raised by
local tax, $3, 146.49.
No town in Wayne county, in proportion to the size, can show a bet-
ter record in the war of the rebellion than Ontario. During that
sanguinary struggle a total of L90 brave and heroic citizens went out
from within her borders to fight the nation's battles. Many of them
met untimely deaths on Southern fields, or in Rebel prisons; a few
were promoted to commissioned officers. The veterans who remain to
tell the thrilling story of that conflict are steadily joining their comrades
gon< and on each Memorial day the survivors and the dead are
tenderly remembered by a grateful country.
WAYNE COUNTY. 325
In 1858 the town had 13,887 acres improved land, real estate assessed
at $464,509, personal property valued at $72,588, 1,222 male and L,10J
female inhabitants, 451 dwellings, 466 families, 371 freeholders, 1 1
school districts, 1,319 school children, 886 horses, 1,201 oxen and
calves, 923 cows, 4,020 sheep and 1,286 swine. There were produced
that year 9,510 bushels winter and 83,610 bushels spring- wheat, 2,686
tons hay, 15,272 bushels potatoes, 17,431 bushels apples, 86,375 pounds
butter, 17,400 pounds cheese, and 1,669 yards domestic cloths.
In 1890 the population was 6,211, or 351 less than in 1880. In 1893
the assessed value of land aggregated $754,832 (equalized $686,561);
village and mill property, $183,143 (equalized $176,153); railroads and
telegraphs, $86,482; personal property, $72,400. Schedule for taxes
for 1893: Contingent fund, $1,476.36; town poor fund, $300; roads and
bridges, $200; special town tax, $3,789.34; school tax, $934.68; county
tax, $2,236.34; State tax, $1,232.34; State insane tax, $317.92; dog-
tax, $121.50. Total tax levy, $11,173.10; rate per cent., .01018646.
The town has two election districts, and in 1893 polled 475 votes.
Ontario Village is situated in the southwest part of the town
about a mile east of Ontario Center. It lies on the ridge road, running
east and west, and is a station and post-office on the south side of the
R., W. & O. Railroad. The site was originally settled in 1807 b)T
Daniel Inman, who built a saw mill and tavern as previously noted.
Ashville Culver erected a second public house in 1827, and Gardner
Robb subsequently put up a third hostelry on the site of the present
hotel. In 1828 the village contained two taverns, one blacksmith shop,
a saw mill, and about ten houses. Robert Horton in 1854 erected and
kept the first store, which was finally destroyed by fire. In 1873 the
Ontario Sun, afterward changed to the Lake Shore Independent, was
started, and after a brief existence discontinued publication. The ad-
vent of the railroad gave new impetus to the village, and since then it
has developed rapidly and steadily. Its broad streets are lined with
commodious business houses and attractive dwellings. June 21, 1885,
the hotel and other buildings were burned, entailing a loss of $30,000,
but upon its site a new and better hostelry was at once erected.
A foundry and agricultural implement manufactory was started a
number of years ago by George Parnell, sr. , who continued it until his
death, when the business passed to his son, George, jr.
The village of Ontario now consists of four general stores, a drug-
store, one furniture and undertaking establishment, one hardware
326 LANDMARKS OF
store, a meat market, harness shop, two blacksmith shops, an hotel and
livery, one clothing and shoe shore, one jeweler, four milliners, a
bakery, one variety store, a shoe shop, one lumber and coal yard, two
produce dealers, a foundry, an agricultural implement dealer, three
physicians, three ehurches, a district school, and about 600 inhabitants.
The present postmaster is H. E. Van Derveer.
( >NTARio Center is a post village on the Ridge road a little south of
the center of the town and about one mile west of Ontario. It lies
south of the R. , W. & O. Railroad, the station being nearly midway
between the two villages. Reynolds K. Northrup built a tavern on the
site of the present hotel in 1830; this was finally removed and a portion
converted into a hardware store. Another hotel was erected in which
the Masons held their meetings until its destruction by fire. Soon af-
terward the lodge was moved at midnight to Ontario village, where it
is still continued. The old hotel burned in 1886, under the proprietor-
ship of E. A. Booth, who also built and keeps the present one. Foote
& Northrup erected a store on the southwest corner about 1830, and
in it business was conducted until it was burned in 1844. The village
now contains three general stores, a hardware store, one drug store, an
hotel and livery, harness shop, blacksmith shop, a carriage repository,
one church, a district school, one physician, and about 300 inhabitants.
The postmaster is John Freeh.
Furnaceville, situated in the eastern part of the town, derives its
name from the blast furnace that was operated there almost contin-
uously from 1825 to L887. It owes its existence to that establishment,
and for fifteen years following 1870 was a very busy hamlet. In is;:;
the post-office was established with L. J. Bundy as postmaster. Since
the furnace was abandoned the place has lost nearly all its former pres-
tige, and consists now of merely a store and post-office and a number of
dwellings. The postmaster is Arthur L. Fries.
Fruitland (Lakeside station) is a post-office on the R., W. & O.
Railroad, about two miles west of Ontario Center. The postmaster is
1). J. Fitzgerald.
Lakeside is a postal hamlet two and one-half miles north of Fruit-
land. The postmistress is .Mrs. W. G. Willard.
hes. — The Baptist Church of Ontario was organized July 3,
lsi ;, with Jonathan Chandler and Abraham Foster as deacons and Rev.
George B. Davis as first pastor. In 18o4 a church edifice was built at
Ontario Center; it was repaired in L849 and used as a house of worship
WAYNE COUNTY. 327
until 1884, when the society moved to Ontario village. The old build-
ing" is now owned and occupied by Charles J. Nash as a storehouse and
carriage repository ; for a few years the elections were held in it. In
1884 the society purchased the old Advent Church in Ontario village,
repaired it, and have since used it as a place of worship. There are
about 100 members and a Sunday school of which S. S. Russell is
superintendent. Among- the pastors succeeding Rev. Mr. Davis were
Revs. James Davis, Kinney, James Going, Draper (sixteen years), Sam-
uel Culver, Willam Corbin, Orin Munger, and others. The present
pastor is Rev. Lazarus Golden, who was installed in April, 1891.
The First Wesleyan Methodist Church of Ontario was organized by
Rev. George Pegler in March, 1857, with these members: William and
Mary Pye, John and Elizabeth Clark, John and Elizabeth Pye, Robert
Norgate, Henry Alton, Thomas Barnsdale, Thomas and Ann Smith,
George Smith, Aaron W. Graham, Francis Eaton, Matilda Cooper,
Seth Easton, Sarah and Eliza King, O. B. and Caroline Turner, and
William Brandish. The first trustees were John Clark, O. B. Turner,
and Seth Easton, and the first class leader was William Pye. In 1865
their present frame edifice was built in Ontario village, and was dedi-
cated May 15, 1869, by Rev. Adam Crooks. The Sunday school was
organized with the church with John Cooper as superintendent. The
church was remodeled a few years since and connected with it is a
frame parsonage. There are about 100 members under the pastoral
care of Rev. F. J. Wilson. The superintendent of the Sunday school
is Flynn Whitcomb.
St. Mary's of the Lake Roman Catholic church of Ontario was or-
ganized by Rev. P. C. McGrath in August, 1869, with about forty
families. In 1870 the present edifice was erected in Ontario village,
and is valued at $4,000. Rev. Father McGrath became the first pastor,
and remained in that capacity many years. The present incumbent is
Rev. Joseph Maguin, of Webster.
The Free Advent Christian church was legally, organized by Revs.
R. C. Brown and James E. Wells, December 23, 1874, with the follow-
ing members : Levi L. Allen, James Woodhams, Willard T. Bishop,
Sarah Briggs, Roxa Decker, Amelia E. Decker, John Freeh, Rebecca
Hutson, Melvin and Melvina A. Howe, Sylvester Howe, Mrs. George
Near, Charles and Helen Prentiss, Laura Truax, George Wilson, and
Jacob Wemesfelder. The first trustees were William Birdsall, Heze-
kiah Hill, and Willard T. Bishop. The first pastor was Rev. James
328 LANDMARKS OF
E. Wells. In 1875 a frame church was creeled, mainly through the
efforts and liberality of Hezekiah Hill; it was dedicated on December,
;;, L875, by Rev. Miles Grant. In 1878 Rev. Milton Miles became
pastor and served until October 1, 1879; on the 20th of the preceding
January the society was reorganized, but soon after that year it dis-
banded and the property reverted to Mr. Hill, who sold it in L884 to
the baptist society for $1,000. A Sunday school was organized January
3d, 187(1, with Henry E. Van Derveer as superintendent.
ddie Presbyterian church of Ontario Center was organized by Rev. Mr.
bliss in L832. The Congregational form of government was adopted,
which was afterward changed to Presbyterian, and the first meetings
were held in a school house in Ontario village. The constituent mem-
bers were Mr. and Mrs. Sutphin, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis, Mr. and Mrs.
Mack, and Mr. Decker. In 1 S42 the present stone edfice in Ontario
Center was built and dedicated. The earlier pastors were Revs. Bliss,
Merritt, judson, Eddy, Burbank, Manley, Halcomb, Young-, Bosworth,
and others. The present pastor is Rev. H. G. C. Halloek and J. C.
Ilowk is superintendent of the Sunday school. The society has about
seventy-five members.
The first Methodist Episcopal church of Ontario was organized as a
class about 1812, at the dwelling of Zebedee Hodges, where many of
the earlier meetings were held. In 1836 a stone edifice, 36x46 feet,
was built two and one-half miles north of Ontario Center. This was
torn down in L865, and in 1866 the corner stone of the present structure
was laid by Rev. I. II. Kellogg. It is of brick and was dedicated in
August, 1867. In May, L872, this church became a separate charge-
prior to that it was connected with the Walworth circuit. The society
has about eight}- members under the pastorship of Rev. Joseph S.
Duxbury. II. S. Stanford is superintendent of the Sunday school.
The Second Methodist Episcopal church of Webster, locally known
as the " Boston Church " from the fact that it is situated in a locality
called New boston, was organized in the summer of 1838 by Rev. Mr.
Osborne with about nine members. In 1849 the present frame edifice
was built near tin- county line in the northwest part of the town. It
was dedicatad by Rev. John 1 )ennis, and is valued at ,si ,000. The society
has about fifty memb rs and a Sunday school of sixty scholars. The
first name on the record as pastor is Rev. L. 1!. Chase, who presided
this and the church in Webster from L869 to L872; in L872— 3 Rev.
P. W. Chandler was pastor of this and the First M. E. church previ-
WAYNE COUNTY. 329
ously mentioned, since which time the two have constituted one charge.
The present pastor is Rev. Joseph S. Duxbury. The two societies
own jointly a frame parsonage at Lakeside, the value of which is
$1,200.
The First Free Methodist Church of Ontario was organized December
9, L866, with eleven members, viz.: George and Adelaide Willard,
Horace and Eliza T. Moore, Barton and Mary Vandewarker, Bennett
H. and Hannah Tarber, Richard and Adelia Ridley, and Hannah E.
Tarber. The first Board of Trustees consisted of George Willard,
Charles E. Heuston, and Willard Rogers. It was incorporated January
5, 1867, and the first pastor was Rev. J. Olney in 1866-67. The society
now has forty-five members, under the pastoral care of Rev. J. E.
Tiffany. The first and present church edifice was built of wood in 1867
at a cost of $1,200; it will seat 200 persons, and is situated about three
miles west of Ontario Center. At its organization the church was in
the Bushnell Basin circuit ; it is now in the Webster and Ontario charge.
CHAPTER XXII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MACEDON.
Macedon, the southwest corner town in Wayne county, was formed
from the western part of Palmyra on the 29th of January, 1823. It has
an area of 23,040 acres, and is divided into seventy-two parallelogram
lots containing 320 acres each. The surface, which is rolling and
irregular, is drained by Ganargwa (Mud) and Spring Creeks, the former
flowing easterly through the southeast part of Macedon and the village
corporation, and affording excellent mill sites. Spring Creek also flows
easterly through the north part of the town, and both streams pass into
the town of Palmyra north of Palmyra village. West of Macedon
village, extending to the county line, is an extensive swamp covering
560 acres, some of which has been reclaimed into comparatively good
farming land.
The soil is generally well adapted to agricultural purposes. North of
the Erie Canal it is principally a gravelly and clayey loam, while south
of that waterway it is largely a sandy formation. Fertile and generally
42
330 LANDMARKS OF
susceptible of easy cultivation, it produces abundant crops of grain,
potatoes, hay, and fruit, which constitute the chief products. In late
years fruit-growing has received considerable attention and proves
fairly successful. Peppermint is also grown in considerable quantities.
The town was originally covered with a heavy growth of timber, con-
sisting of beech, oak, whitewood, and maple, nearly all of which has
been cut down and converted into lumber and firewood. The lumber
Imsiness, while it continued, supplied work for several local saw mills,
but these have all either gone down or been removed. As an example
of the great height attained by some of the trees of this section, it is
remembered that a stately maple, long since leveled by the wind, once
towered erect on the summit of Ramsdell hill and from many miles
around was distinctly visible, a beacon for the pioneer.
The first town meeting for the town of Macedon convened at the
house of Lydia Porter on February 11, 1823, at which the following
officers were chosen: Abraham Spear, supervisor; John Lapham, town
clerk; Asa B. Smith, William B. Capron, Calvin Bradish, assessors;
George Crane, Ira Lapham, Isaac Durfee, highway commissioners;
Isaac Durfee and George Crane, overseers of the poor; Stephen Spear,
collector; Jonathan Ramsdell, Charles Bradish, Thomas C. Hance,
commissioners of common schools; William P. Richardson, Bernard
Beal, Alexis Packard, inspectors of common schools; Otis Southworth,
Bernard Cook, Ira Hill, constables. It was voted that ''three per
cent, be paid for collecting taxes." At the annual town meeting held
at the dwelling of Abner Hillon the first Tuesday in April following,
these same officers were regularly elected.
The supervisors of this town have been as follows:
Abraham Spear, 1823-25, Nathan Lapham, 1850,
Charles Bradish, 1826, Evert Bogardus, 1851-52,
A. Spear, 1821 28, A tievbtein is:,:;, and A. 1'. Ran-
George Cram-, 1829 31, dall was appointed and served
A. Spear, 1832-33, until is.". I.
John Lapham, 18:! I. Stephen L. Ramsdell, is.",.""),
Charles Bradish, is:!.",. G. C, Everett was chosen at a
Isaac Durfee, 1836-37, special town meeting in 1856,
C. Bradish, 1838-40, and at a regular meeting Pur-
Thomas Barnes, L841 13, dy M. Willitts,
Allen C. Purdy, 1844 15 Lemuel Durfee, 1857,
J. Lapham, 1846 17, Joab S. Biddlecom, 1858 60,
Abial I). Gage, 1848, Thomas W. Mead, lsiil 63,
Samuel Everett, L849, Robert H. Jones, 1864-65,
WAYNE COUNTY. 331
Marvin A. Eddy, 1866, Charles B. Herendeen, 1877-79,
Walter W. Brace, 1867, Hiram C. Durfee, 1880-81,
H. H. Hoag, 1868-69, Daniel S. Shourds, L882,
Lyman' Bickford, 1870-72, George W. Kirkpatrick, 1883-84,
W. W. Mumford, is?:;, Isaac Dean, 1885-87,
L. Bickford, 1874, Henry J. Breese, 1888-89,
W. W. Mumford, 1875, William B. Billings, 1890-93,
Jeremiah Thistlethwaite, 1876, Frank W. Hawes, 1894.
The town officers for 1894 are: Frank W. Hawes, supervisor; George
Bough ton, town clerk; Charles T. Jennings, W. F. Woods, Albert H.
Breese, J. E. Baker, justices of the peace; Charles R. Whitehead, as-
sessor; George Krauss, collector; Isaac R. Hoag, highway commissioner ;
Edson J. Corser, overseer of the poor.
In 1858 there were in Macedon 18,674 acres improved land 1/249 male
and 1,185 female inhabitants, 453 dwellings, 493 families, 366 free-
holders, 14 school districts, 815 school children, 909 horses, 1,329 work-
ing oxen and calves, 953 cows, 10,288 sheep, and 1,924 swine. The as-
sessed valuation of real estate was $951,179, and of personal property
$121,670. During that year there were produced 25,787 bushels win-
ter and 110,900 bushels spring wheat, 3,163 tons hay, 16,777 bushels
potatoes, 27,949 bushels apples, 77,662 pounds butter, 9,900 pounds
cheese, and 32 yards domestic cloths.
In 1890 the town had a population of 2,564 or 307 less than in 1880.
In 1893 its real estate was assessed at $1,044,134 (equalized $990,308);
personal property, $148,125; village and mill property, $215,280
(equalized $206,121); railroads and telegraphs, $584,504 (equalized
$547,142). Total assessed valuation, $1,992,043 (equalized $1,891,696).
Schedule of taxes, 1893: Contingent fund, $1,015.71; town poor fund,
$400; special tax, $75; school tax, $1,730.78; county tax, $4,141.09;
State tax, $2,281.97; State insane tax, $588,70; dog tax, $249. Total
tax levied, $10,839.19; rate per cent., .00544124. The town has two
election districts and in !8(.)3 polled 416 votes.
The earliest settlements in this town were made in the vicinity of
Macedon village along the Palmyra-Pittsford road, the pioneers being
principally from New England. Practically the town's development
dates from the commencement of the Erie Canal, which traverses
Macedon from east to west through nearly its central part. New
comers after the completion of that great waterway in 1825 thence-
forward came in easier and more rapidly. The construction of the
main line of the New York Central Railroad, running almost parallel
332 LANDMARKS OF
with the canal, lent a new impetus to the town's business interests and
ever afterwards assured it a commercial importance that has been
steadly maintained and improved. A third commercial improvement
was inaugurated in 1883 in the construction of the West Shore Rail-
road, which in 1885 passed under control of the first named corpora-
tion as lessees. Both of these railroads run through the central part of
the town just north of Macedon village.
The first settler in Macedon was Webb Harwood, who came with his
family from Massachusetts in 1789, making the journey with an ox
team and wagon in forty-six days. He settled in the east part of the
town, cleared a small plat, built a rude log cabin, and lived there many
years. Mr. Harwood died in 1824, and the family finally went west.
Ebenezer Reed, also from Massachusetts, probably arrived in the same
year, and lived neighbor to Harwood.
Israel Delano was a settler of 1790; he located in the south part of
the town and soon afterward died, and is said to have been the first
white man to die in Macedon. Darius Comstock reared a family here
and subsequently went to Michigan. His daughter Hannah was born
in 1703, and was the first female white child born in town. Paul Reed
was another pioneer of about this period.
Abraham Spear settled with his family in Macedon in 1791, purchas-
ing 500 acres of land in the east part of the town. He died soon after-
ward, and his farm passed to his sons, Abraham, jr., Ebenezer and
Isaac. The first of these three became the first supervisor of the town
and was otherwise prominent in local affairs. Jonathan Warner, Abner
Hill, Constant Southard, Barnabas Brown, Jacob Gannett, and David
White were also early settlers. Mr. Gannett, in 1801, built the first
grist mill in town on Ganargwa Creek. A son was born to him in 1791,
who was the first white child born in Macedon.
William Porter, who settled in the west part of the town on a farm
subsequently owned by Hon. John Lapham, owned the first tavern in
Macedon prior to 1810, and continued as its landlord until his death in
L825. This was a two-story frame structure and in a remodeled form
was long used as a residence. In 1812 Ebenezer Spear, above men-
tioned, opened a second hotel, but a few years later it was changed to
a dwelling and is still used for that purpose.
Hon. John Lapham came to Palmyra with his father in 1796; after
his marriage in L818 to Saloma, daughter of William and Lydia Porter,
he removed to Macedon, and lived here until his death July 4, 1867.
WAYNE COUNTY. 333
He was several times elected supervisor and in 18,47 was chosen mem-
ber of Assembly from Wayne county. He had nine children, of whom
Stephen W. still resides in town. Mrs. Lapham died in Macedon vil-
lage several years ago. Two other settlers of this period were Ber-
nard Beal, one of the first school inspectors, and Henry Wilber. Mr.
Beal was the father of Ira and De Witt Beal, who lived on the home-
stead. Emery Beal still lives in the town.
Among the new comers of 1792 were John Bradish and his family,
consisting of his wife and sons Calvin, Luther and Charles. Luther
was elected lieutenant-governor of this State, and died in New York
city ; Charles and Calvin moved to Michigan and died there.
Bartimeus, Cyrus, and John Packard, three brothers, after a journey
of six weeks with ox teams, arrived here February 22, 1792. Barnabas
Packard, their father, had preceded them and bought 640 acres of land
upon which the sons located, paying 18^ cents per acre. Cyrus died
in Perinton. Bartimeus died September 10, 1854, on the homestead
now occupied by his grandson. John died in Michigan. F. C. John-
son, great-grandson of the latter, is ex-postmaster and a merchant in
Macedon village.
In 1793 David Warner came to Macedon, returned east to winter,
came again the next spring, and soon afterward married. Nahum
Warner, his son, died here a few years since. Deacon Noah Porter
settled on a part of the farm recently occupied by ex- Sheriff William
P. Nottingham. Other settlers of about this time were Bernard Bates,
and Barnett and Stephen Peters. Thomas Bussey settled east of
Macedon Center in 1794. Of his large family Mrs. Perry (aftewards
Mrs. Gannett) and Mrs. Lapham died in town some years since.
An early and perhaps the earliest physician was Dr. Gain Robinson,
who settled near the east line of the town on the farm now owned by a
son of David Aldrich. In 1821 Dr. Plunkett Richardson located on
the Durfee farm and practiced medicine until his death in 1833. In
1826 Dr. Benjamin W. Dean became a physician at the Center.
Abraham Lapham came to this town with his family in 1795, and
settled on the farm lately owned by Zachariah Van Duzer. The first
person baptized in Macedon was the wife of Joseph Finkham, a pioneer,
the ceremony being performed in 1797 by an Irish missionary. Mr.
Finkham paid two shillings an acre for fifty acres, on which farm he
died.
Among the early settlers of 1795 were Benjamin and Jonathan Wood,
SU LANDMARKS OF
Nathan and John Comstock, the father of Hector Turner, and N. Dick-
inson. William F. Dickinson, a son of the latter, died in Macedon vil-
lage several years ago.
In L796 Deacon Palmer settled on a large farm in the northeast part
of the town and died there. A son now resides in the town. Ephraim
Green located where his son Almon afterwards lived. A son of the
latter was a clerk in the State Legislature several years, and another
is now station agent at West Walworth.
George Crane, Bartlett Robinson (a mechanic and pioneer builder),
Brice Aldrich, and Ethan Lapham were settlers of 1800. Lewis and
Morgan Robinson, sons of Bartlett, also settled permanently in town,
and Mrs. Arnold Bristol, a daughter of Brice Aldrich, is still living
here. Robert Teadman came from Rhode Island in L810 and bought
140 acres now owned by Mrs. George Frey.
The first blacksmith in town was Walter Walker, who opened a shop
about 1805, on or near the place now owned by the heirs of Abel Run-
van. Mr. Walker was soon succeeded by Daniel Kimball.
One of the pioneer orchards was set out about 1795 by Abraham
Lapham; another covering seven acres was set at an early day by
Nathan Comstock, on the farm now owned by Martin Weedrick. This
latter orchard during many years bore the only grafted fruit in the
town. Mr. Lapham built the first frame house in Macedon prior to
L800. It was repaired, removed, and again repaired and now stands
on John H. Murphy's farm.
Prominent among other early comers are the names of Ebenezer
Still (a Revolutionary soldier), Asa Aldridge, Alexander Purdy, Dur-
fee Osband, Walter Lawrence (whose son Walter resides on the home-
stead), William Willits, Nathaniel Brailey, Artemas Ward, and Levi
Camborn.
Thomas C. Hance came to Macedon from Maryland in 1817, and in
the same year opened the first store in town. He continued business
until ls\!;>, when he purchased a farm near the Center, where he lived
until his death, April 19. 1888, at the great age of L06 years. During
the latter part of his life he resided with his son Abraham. Another
pioneer merchant was Israel Richardson.
Among the oldest frame dwellings now tenanted are those occupied
bv the families of f. W. Arnold, Bartimeus Packard, and Israel Delano.
On the exterior these residences have never been changed. The house
of Monroe Carman is another old remodeled structure, as is also the
WAYNE COUNTY. 335
one occupied by James Duggan, wherein occurred the death of Jona-
than Ramsdell, the "Quaker preacher. " Probably the oldest barn in
the town is the one standing on the Bartimeus Packard place, which
was erected in 1799.
In Part II of this work mention is made of many other pioneers and
prominent citizens of the town ; to these may be added the following
names of others who are more or less conspicuous in later generations:
William and Cyrus Packard, sons of Philander Packard ; John G. Mead,
son of Richard; B. S. Durfee, son of the late Stephen Durfee; William
B. Billings, ex-supervisor; Charles T. Jennings, justice of the peace;
Frank B. Hicks, ex-postmaster and merchant at the Center; George
Marshall, son of John C. ; the Hance brothers, sons of Abraham, who
died in December, 1893 ; Gideon Baker, a typical representative of the
olden time; A. H. Briggs, justice of the peace; James Harbou, Joseph
AY. Bentley, DeWitt C. Lapham, Thomas Bussey, Thomas Blaker, and
Isaac Tallman, son of Darius, a true descendant of pioneer days.
The Durfee family was prominent in the early settlement of this town
and among its representatives is Hiram C. Durfee. Charles B. Heren-
deen, ex-supervisor, is a son of Charles B., sr. , and grandson of Durfee
Herendeen, whose father, Welcome, purchased 160 acres of land in
Macedon in 1811, and died thereon in 1837. Welcome Herendeen mar-
. ried a daughter of Gideon Durfee. George Everett resided on the farm
settled by his father, and died in Palmyra a few years since. Other
prominent men who have long made this town their home are Joab
Biddlecom, Silas N. Gallup, Lyman Bickford, Samuel Everett, Z. A.
Van Duzer, Menzo and Samuel Smith, Gideon Smith, Daniel S.
Shourds (nurserymen), David Cramer, Edwin Robinson, John Lane,
Gilbert Budd, the Downing brothers (maltsters in Palmyra), Thomas
Lampson, and Frank Allyn. These men, each in his own way, have
contributed materially to the growth and welfare of the town.
The volunteers from the town of Macedon who participated in the war
of the Rebellion numbered 167. Each and every one did valiant ser-
vice in that sanguinary conflict, and the present generations proudly hon-
ors their deeds of heroism. But few of the old veterans still remain
among us, death having claimed many of their number since their terms
of active service expired.
Deacon Noah Porter, as early 1800, donated to the town the first plat
for a burial place, situated about one mile east of Macedon Center, on
land now owned by Edwin Robinson. It contains the undisturbed re-
336 LANDMARKS OF
mains of many of the earlier pioneers and for ten yearsormore was the
principal cemetery in Macedon. The Friends' burying ground at
Maeedon was opened prior to 1820, and is still in use.
The progress of education within the limits of this town is doubtless
the best evidence of the unusual intelligence and refinement manifested
by the present generation of inhabitants. It was prior.to 1800 that the
first school house was erected, a frame structure half a mile below the
west lock, on the north side of the canal, in the corporation of Macedon
village. Soon afterward it was removed by Deacon Noah Porter and
made over into a residence.
In 1803 another frame school building was erected on property now
owned by David Glossenger, but after a usefulness of three decades, it
was torn down. John Brandish was the first teacher in that house.
In 1871 a graded school was established in Macedon village under the
principalship of Prof. William Goodenough, in a building erected for a
Union Free School. The present Union school house was built of brick
in 1887-88, at a cost of $8,000. It is of one story and the school main-
tains an academic department. The present Board of Education (1894)
consists of Eli H. Gallup, president; William S. Eddy, secretary; Ira
L. Purdy, Isaac Dean, and Carl C. Herendeen. George W. Boughton
is treasurer. Four teachers are employed and George H. Cullihgs is
principal. The school district is free from debt.
On the northwest corner of Macedon Center there stood in early
days a small public hostelry known as the Hollister House, a name sub-
sequently changed to the Macedon Center House. After the opening
of the canal this tavern was no longer prosperous, but it continued to
entertain travelers and dispense liquor for several years afterward.
William Barker about this time formed a plan to open a Friends' boarding
school, but did not carry them oat; yet the suggestion developed into
the purchase on April 24, L841, of John Gidersleeve of the old tavern
property at a cost of $1,150, the purchasers being Jonathan Ramsdell,
Daniel T. Burton, and Durfee Osband. On the 11th of April, 1842,
through Durfee ( >sband, then member of Assembly, the Macedon Acad-
emy was legally incorporated, and on September 13, Messrs. Ramsdell,
Burton, and ( )sband deeded the property to the following trustees named
in the charter: Thomas C. Hance, Thomas Barnes, Philander Packard,
Ira Odell, William C. Johnston, Evert Bogardus, Henry Tillou, John
Johnston, [ames Cunningham, Israel Woolsey,. Joshua Delong, John C.
Marshall, John Van Vliet, Walter Johnson, and Caleb Van Duzer. On
WAYNE COUNTY.
337
May 24, 1843, a strip of land two rods wide, west of the tavern lot,
was bought by James T. Hoag, but afterwads a part of this was sold.
In 1841, school was first opened in the old tavern with Eaton B. North-
rop, principal, and Stephen Ramsdell and Austin Mandeville, assistants.
Mr. Northrop died October 17, 1843, aged twenty-eight 'years. Sep-
tember 14, 1842, it was resolved to build an extension for the academy
proper, and use the old tavern for a boarding house. The contract was
let to Evert Bogardus. The present building was erected in 1853, and
if; '«■<•'
,!aiii| - ,555^ "r«"^i-
•■MACEOON1.GENTR& house-
the first session opened in it November 7, of that year, with 160 students.
In 1859 the old academy was sold to Dr. Esten, removed to the site of
William Barker's residence, and burned September 6, of the same year.
In 1863 a commercial department was established in the academy. The
boarding house (the old tavern) was destroyed by fire the next morning
after the close of the fall term in November, 1873. The academy was
founded by adherents of the doctrine of the Society of Friends, and for
more than half a century has wielded a powerful influence in guiding
the morals and elevating the standard of education in this section of
Western New York. Plain and unpretentious in its outward appear-
ance, its curriculum governed by strict rules sometimes locally termed
" blue laws, " fostered by the Board of Regents of the State, it has
ever maintained an enviable prestige and flourished while many similar
43
338
LANDMARKS OF
institutions succumbed to the changing status of state and society
The presidents of the Board of Trustees have been as follows:
Ira Odell, 1842,
Durfee Osband. 1845,
Philander Packard, 1846,
Thomas Barnes, L848,
J. C. Marshall, 1849,
J. M. Howland, 1852,
T. J. Mead, 1856,
L. Whitcomb, 1857,
William Bloodgood, 1863,
Stephen Durfee, 18G4,
Principals of the academy
1841-42,
Eaton B. Northrup,
1868-69,
1842-43,
Eaton B. Northrup,
1869-70,
1843-44,
Stephen Wood,
1870-71,
1844-45,
Stephen Wood,
1871-72,
1845^6,
Stephen Wood,
1872-73,
1846-47,
John W. Stebbins,
1873-74,
1847-48,
John W. Stebbins,
1874-75,
1848-49,
Hiram Wheeler,
1875 76,
1849-50,
Samuel Centre,
1876-77.
1850-51,
Samuel Centre,
1877-78,
1851-52,
Samuel Centre,
1878-79,
1852-53,
Samuel Centre,
1879-80,
is:,:; 54,
William M. McLaughlin,
1880-81,
1854-55,
Willism M. McLaughlin,
1881-82,
L855 56,
William M. McLaughlin,
1882-83,
1856-57,
Charles S. Halsey,
1883-84,
1857-58,
Thomas McC. Ballantine,
1884-85,
1858-59,
George H. Whitney,
1885-86,
1859-60,
Brain erd Kellogg,
1886-87,
1860-61,
Edwin B. Harvey,
1887 -88,
1861-62
Edwin B, Harvey,
1888-89,
1862-63,
Charles S. Halsey,
1889-90,
1863-64,
Charles S. Halsey,
1890-91,
1864-65,
Charles S. Halsey,
1891-92,
1865-66
Gardner Fuller,
1892 93,
1866-67
Gardner Fuller,
1893-94,
1867-68,
James S. Lemon,
A. L. Hance, 1872,
J. G. Mead, 1875,
Isaac Baker, 1876,
H. H. Hoag, 1883,
Burton S. Durfee, 1888 94.
H. George Miller,
H. George Miller,
George S. Andrews,
Richard H. Dennis,
Henrietta W. Downing,
Andrew J. Nellis,
J. Edmund Massee,
J. Edmund Massee,
V. A. Crandall,
Byron C. Mathews,
D. I). Van Allen,
Frederick A. Hyde,
Charles H. Boynton,
Charles H. Boynton,
Fred A. White,
Margaret J agger,
Lewis H. Clark,
Lewis H. Clark,
Lewis H. Clark,
Lewis H. Clark,
Lewis H. Clark,
Lewis H. Clark,
Lewis H. Clark, jr.,
Cyrus S. Palmer.
Edwin W. Stevens,
J. Carson Benedict.
The Board of Trustees for L894- 'J 5 are
Joseph W. Bentley,
William B. Billings,
Benjamin C. Blaker,
Thomas R. Blaker,
1 lurton S. Durfee (president),
I >arwin Eldridge,
Frank B. Hicks (secretary),
James Harbou,
Myron L. Hoag,
Charles T. Jennings (treas-
urer),
Honorary Members: Humphrey H, Hoag, Guidon T. Smith.
Executive Commitee: Burton S. Durfee, Frank B. Hicks, Myron L
Dewitt C. Lapham,
George Mansfield,
Cyrus Packard,
Isaac P. 1 loag,
Charles H. Parker.
1 loag.
WAYNE COUNTY. 339
Faculty: J. Carson Benedict, principal, Latin, psychology, mathematics, physics,
and chemistry. Francis May Matteson, preceptress, German, drawing, ai
history, and higher English. Nellie V. Blaker, assistant, physiology, history,
English, and civics. Mrs. Frances K. Mandeville, music.
Alumni Association (organized in 1884): Beal M. Smith, president; Lizzie J.
Blaker, vice-president; Mina C. Packard, secretary; Beal M. Smith, Lizzie J. Blaker,
Charles B. Herendeen, Mina C. Packard, executive committee.
The town of Macedon has thirteen school districts, attended during
the year 1892-93 by 595 children, and taught by fifteen teachers. The
valuation of school buildings and sites aggregates $16,250; assessed
valuation of the districts $1,945,000; public money received from the
State $1,937.02; amount raised by local tax $2,473.40.
The Macedon Historical and Geographical Society was organized at
the house of William C. Packard on February 1, 1894, with about twen-
ty-five members, and with the following officers: Frank B. Hicks, pres-
ident; Miss Ada E. Hance, vice-president; Miss Mina C. Packard, sec-
retary; Charles B. Herendeen, treasurer; Miss Nellie V. Blaker, libra-
rian. Its object is to collect and preserve local history.
The first grist mill in town was built by Jacob Gannett in 1801, on
his premises on Ganargwa Creek half a mile west of Macedon village.
It had one run of stone. The mill race was constructed about 1825 as
a feeder for the canal, and a few years later, about 1832, a Mr. Patter-
son obtained the right of use of this raceway and bought and removed
the Gannett mill to its present site in the village. Subsequent proprie-
tors were Allen Purdy and John Willits, Ese Wilber, George Wilber,
Russell Allen, Caldron White, and Mr. Allen again. In 1877 J. S.
Biddlecom purchased the property and later transferred a one-half in-
terest to his grandson, Bayard Biddlecom, making the firm J. S. Biddle-
com & Co., who are the present proprietors. The building has been
materially repaired, a full roller process substituted for the stones, and
a saw mill added about 1878.
The frame grist mill near the Walworth town line, north of Walworth
Station, is owned by the widow of John Craggs. It is operated by both
steam and water power.
Macedon Village. — This village, situated a little southeast from the
center of the town, was incorporated in November, 1856, and comprises
within its limits one square mile. The charter, relative to municipal
officers, was amended May 4, 1868. The original proprietors of the
land were Enoch Gannett, and Abiatha Powers, who paid 18f- cents per
acre, and who in 1828 sold to William Willits, Alexander Purdy, and
340 LANDMARKS OF
John Lapham, from whom the first village lots were purchased in 1830.
When the three last named became owners of the real estate here, the
present limits contained only two one-story frame houses, one of which,
that owned by Enoch Gannett, has been repaired and is now occupied
as a residence by William Van Wincklen.
As early as 1815, a carding and cloth-dressing- mill was erected near
the site of the Biddlecom flouring- mill by Daniel Lapham and Mr.
Gannett, and continued in operation in 1818, It was the first industry
in the place and at one period did an extensive business. Gannett and
Lapham also built two log houses here about 1815.
In 1829 Purdy and Williams erected a store building which is now,
in a repaired form, used as a harness shop. John Robson opened a
blacksmith shop in 1831, and in 1832 Michael Ellsworth built the first
tavern. This was afterwards enlarged and was burned in 1882, and on
its site the present frame hotel was erected.
In 1831 a small furnace situated at the four corners a mile west of
the village was removed to the corporation, enlarged and operated on
the site of the present foundry. At the four corners also the post-office
was established about 1831, but it soon came to the village with Alex-
ander Purdy as postmaster. The present incumbent is John P. Kaiser.
Among the merchants who formerly carried on trade here were Wil-
liam Willits, Alexander Purdy, Richmond & Lampson, Hawkins &
Brace, Brace & Eddy, Eddy & Underhill, Leonard L. Cramer, William
R. Van Wincklen, N. B. Packard & Co., C. B. Herendeen, Ira L.
Purdy, Ausman & Ripley, John Little, Mrs. B. F. Wheeler, John
McCann, George Gifford, Isaac Cramer and David Cramer. A dry
goods store was built by John Lapham in 1834, and for some time
occupied by Albert White; repaired and remodeled, it occupies the
same site and is owned by Charles J. Servoss.
The present creamery of W. D. Herendeen was formerly occupied
by him as a plaster mill. The cider mill and mint distillery operated
by Charles H. Plumb, was originally used as a tannery, which had
various proprietors, the last one being Wallace Mumford. In Novem-
ber, 1889, Mr. Plumb purchased the property and doubled the capacit)^
of the cider mill and in 1893 added a peppermint distiller}-.
The firm of Bickford & Huffman, formed in October, 1842, are the
pioneer builders of fertilizer grain drills in America. During the first
ten or twelve years they did a country jobbing and repair business,
making plows, and later seme few steam engines, and some mowers
WAYNE COUNTY. 341
and reapers. The first grain drills were made in L8'49, about twenty in
number, and were almost entirely hand made. Their introduction
upon the market was very successful, and opened an era of prosperity
which culminated in 1860. At the close of that year the firm occupied
a leading" position as manufacturers in their line. The grain drill trade
being confined exclusively to the Southern States, the breaking out of
the war of the Rebellion in 1861 caused a complete suspension in trade,
and the loss of a large share of the firm's capital. With trade thus
destroyed, the company with a little capital saved from the wreck en-
gaged in other lines of manufacture, and carried on their business until
1866 and '67, when the demand for grain drills again revived in the
South, but with many obstacles that had not been present before. The
demand was at first greatly limited by the greatly reduced number of
buyers, and second by the lessened ability of the buyers to pay for the
goods purchased. During these years a movement was made to secure
a portion of the trade in the Northern States, and with limited means
and capital the firm was fairly successful. In 1870 Mr. Huffman died,
leaving his interest to his widow, who continued the business with Mr.
Lyman Bickford as partner, acting as manager. In November, 1885,
Mr. Bickford disposed of his interest in the business to his partner,
the former Mrs. Huffman, the present Mrs. Kirkpatrick, who thus be-
came the sole owner of the plant and business, with G. W. Kirkpatrick
as general manager. The new management found the business lack-
ing a sufficiently systematized organization, and operated without
definite data of the cost of manufacture, sales, collections, or any other
department ; and while this change was being effected, vast improve- .
ments were made in the construction of the drills, which still occupy
front rank in their line in the world. In January, 1893, the business
was incorporated into a stock company, under the style of Bickford &
Huffman Company, which with a business thoroughly systematized,
with grain drills combining the latest improvements patented, with a
largely extended trade, domestic and foreign, a well equipped plant,
with an energetic management, bows to no superiors in the world in
their line of manufacture. Officers, G. W. Kirkpatrick, president ; H.
M. Kirkpatrick, vice president ; W. P. Thistlethwaite, secretary and
treasurer.
The village of Macedon now contains a newspaper and printing office,
one general store, a grist and saw mill, two dry goods stores, one boot
and shoe store, a meat market, three harness shops, a lawyer, three
342 LANDMARKS OF
physicians, a grain drill manufactory and foundry, a jewelry store, one
drug store, a cider mill and mint distillery, one hotel, a butter factory,
a canal grocery, a lumber yard, an undertaker, two coal and two produce
dealers, a union school, three churches, and the usual other shops and
artisans. The village has stations on both the New York Central and
West Shore railroads.
The first charter election tor the village was held December 31, L856,
when the following officers were chosen : James Rice, jr., president ;
Daniel Langdon, Henry Huffman, John Lapham, J. J. Acker, trustees ;
William E. Willits, treasurer; 11. E. Ripley, clerk. The presidents
have been :
I1. M. Willits, is:,;, In, i.. Purdy, L873,
C. E. Langdon, 1858, Lyman Bickford, 1874 78,
M. A. Eddy, 1859, W. L. Acker, L879,
W. L. Acker, I860, Jesse Halsey, L880 81,
G. B. Arnold, L861, L. L. Cramer, 18*2 s::,
Lyman Bickford, 1862, [saac Dean, 1884,
Alexandei Arthur, 1863 64, George W. Korkpatrick, 1885,
Anse] Perkins. L865, C. C. Cramer, 1886,
H. B. Johnson, lsfiG, C. C. Herendeen, 1887,
Jeremiah Thistlethwaite, 1861; I). C. Brundage, 1888 90,
S. X. Gallup, 1868, Isaac Dean, 1891,
H. P. Underbill. L869, D. C. Brundage, L892,
Henry Huffman, 1870, IL M. Little, L898-94.
S. N. Gallup, 1871-72,
The offieers for ISii-l are as follows : IL. M. Little, president ; H. J.
ese, E. J. Corser, John Simmons, trustees; C. J. Servoss, clerk ;
Pred C. Johnson, treasurer; David Courter, collector; E. J. Corser,
overseer of the poor ; William Nettleship, street commissioner; John
Simmons and H. J. Breese, assessors. According to the census of L890
the village had a population of 533.
Macedon Center. — -Regarded from an imaginative standpoint this is
the pleasantest village in this town, and being the scat of Macedon
Academy it is probably as widely known asany other place of itssize in
Wayne county. At a very early day Asa Aldridge settled on the two
east corners; Ebenezer Still on the northwest corner, and Artemas Ward
west of tin- village ; but a suggestion that this might become a point of
considerable importance found no response in their ideas of enterprise
and duringtheir holdings they declined to sell lots for building purposes.
Mr. Ward is regarded as the first permanent settler on the site of the
village. In 1825 Ward and Still died and Aldridge sold his property to
WAYNE COUNTY. 848
John Johnson. At the request of Durfee Osband in L826, Benjamin T.
Hoxsie came hither from Massachusetts to open a store, which he built
on the southwest corner lot, where he continued business many •
In 1840 his old building was converted into a dwelling. This may be
considered the substantial beginning of Macedon Center, although it
had previously been a stopping place for travelers and boasted a hot I.
the Hollister House, afterwards the old Macedon House. One of the
early landlords was Levi Camborn, a blacksmith, who was granted a
license for one year to sell wine. His successors probably also dispensed
liquor, for it is remembered that arum pole, the last one in this section,
was raised in front of this tavern on the site of the present temperance
monument. When the tidal wave of total abstinence swept over this
State in the latter part of the thirties, the agitation seemed to center in
this vicinity, and many were the meetings held to discuss the objection-
able traffic. These discussions warmed enthusiasm into action and the
movement culminated in 1845 in the erection of a marble obelisk nine,
feet high, which was procured from Vermont by Ira Lapham. It came
by canal and was dedicated to the cause of temperance on July 4, of that
year, the oration being delivered by Hon. William C. Bliss, of Roches-
ter. The stone bears the inscription, " Total Abstinence — 1845."
The first physician to locate here was Dr. Benjamin W. Dean. A
man named Post followed Hoxie as a merchant, and among the later
traders here were a Mr. Lamb (who built the store now occupied by
Frank B. Hicks), Evert Bogardus, William Bloodgood, Elias Hicks
(father of Frank B.), from 1808 to 1873, Charles Rowe one year, John
N. Brownell (afterwards county sheriff), and Frank B. Hicks since
1883. Opposite the academy was once a stationery store and Ira Odell
later had a tailorshop in the same building. The village now has the
academy, three churches, a general store, a wagon and blacksmith
shop, and a population of about 150.
The post-office was established here between 1830 and L835, probably
in the building now occupied by Rachel Arnold and Judith Post. One
of the earliest postmasters was Ira Odell, who served more than twenty
years, and was succeeded by Monroe Norton. Elias Hicks had the
office from 1866 to 1873. The present incumbent is Lewis II. Dick.
West Macedon, located on the canal in the western part of the town,
enjoys the distinction of having had a post-office which by some
means got into the presidential class, and which is also said to have
been the first money-order office in Wayne county. It was established
344 LANDMARKS OF
in 1856 with Echabod W. Briggs postmaster, who continued in the office
until shortly before his death not many years ago, when the office was
discontinued. The place has lost nearly all of its former importance as
a business point, and is now merely a rural hamlet.
Walworth station is situated on the New York Central Railroad in
Maeedon about four miles south from Walworth village in the town of
Walworth.
The Baptist Church of Maeedon was organized in 1800 as the First
Baptist Church of Palmyra, with nineteen constituent members,
namely: William Rogers, Lemuel and Ruth Spear, Noah and Ruth
Potter, Benjamin Wood, James and Hannah Fuller, Bartimeus Packard,
James Rogers, Abram Spear, William Jones, Elizabeth Jones, Polly
Baker, M. Wood, and Joseph Case. Until 1800 meetings were held at
Webb Harwood's, but in that year a frame church edifice was built.
One of the first pastors was Rev. Jeremiah Irons, from 1804 to 1820.
During the pastorate of Rev. Paul S. Prichard, in 1834-35, the church
divided, one portion retaining the name and organizing the present
Baptist society of Palmyra, and the other forming the Maeedon Baptist
Church and holding the property. The first pastor of this latter divis-
ion was Rev. Peter Turk, under whom the edifice (then standing on
the Ranney farm, three miles east of Maeedon village) was taken
down, removed to the present site, rebuilt and rededicated. Dining
the pastorate of Rev. D. D. Lovell it was remodeled and repaired at a
cost of $3,500, and again dedicated in March, 1874. The society now
has about sixty members, with Rev. J. M. Bates, pastor. The frame
parsonage was becjueathed to the church by one of its prominent
members.
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church of Maeedon was organized by
Rev. William Casey in 1850, with some 200 communicants. The pres-
ent frame edifice was erected that fall and consecrated Jul}- 4, 1857, by
Bishop John Tirnon, of Buffalo. In 1875 a transept, a sanctuary for
the altar, and a vestry were added and the whole reconsecrated Sep-
tember 26th of that year by Bishop Bernard J. M. McQuaid, of Roch-
ester. The parish now numbers about 500 souls. Rev. Father Casey
was in charge from Palmyra until September 1, L883, when the present
pastor, Rev. M. A. F. Holmes, became the first resident priest. The
parsonage was purchased of Ceorge P. Lapham in September, 1883,
for $3,000.
The Church of the Good Shepherd (Universalist) of Maeedon, was
WAYNE COUNTY. 345
legally organized b)^ Rev. Harvey Boughten, on March 8, 1874, with
thirty-five members. The church edifice was finished and dedicated in
May, 1873, and Rev. Mr. Boughton was installed the first pastor and
remained until 1884; he was succeeded by Revs. C. L. Waite, H. K.
White, R. W. McLaughlin, and the present incumbent, C. L. Paddock.
The present church building was remodeled and rededicated in March,
1889, and a pipe organ costing $2,500 placed therein. The edifice is
of brick and frame, and is valued at $10,000, and connected is a frame
parsonage worth $2,000. The society has eighty-six members. A
Sunday school was inaugurated in 1873 with Henry B. Underhill su-
perintendent. The present incumbent is Lyman Bickford.
The Society of Friends held meetings at Macedon Center as early as
1800, but when their original house of worship was built can not be
determined. It is known that it was a two-story structure with a
gallery on three sides, and as the number of members gradually de-_
creased it was decided to reduce its towering proportions. About this
time (1827) the Orthodox branch withdrew. While chipping from the
lower ends of the posts the building suddenly collapsed and it was then
rebuilt in its present form on the northeast corner. This is known as
the Hicksite branch. The Orthodox members, soon after their with-
drawal, erected \he old house locally called the Orthodox house, which
was replaced by the present edifice in 1868, in which the first service
was held November 22, of that year. The old house was sold to J. N.
Brownell, removed by him to the north side of the street, and is now
used by Ansel Clark as a barn.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Macedon Center existed as a
class at quite an early date, and among the first class leaders were
Abraham Aldrich and Levi Camborn. It appears upon the minutes of
the quarterly conference held near Canandaigua October 24, 1812, and
is afterwards noticed on the records until 1833, between which date and
1844 it drops out of recorded mention. Prior to 1859 Walworth and
Macedon stood together several years, but at that time a change was
effected and Macedon and Perinton were united. The first house of
worship was built some time previous to 1825, on the premises now
owned by J. W. Colburn. In 1847 a new edifice was erected on a new
site donated to the society by Durfee Osband, and this was remodeled
into the present structure in 1831, at a total cost of about $2,000. The
parsonage was purchased in 1863 for $1,500. The original house of
worship was purchased by S. V. R. Mallory, removed October 24, 1850,
44
346 LANDMARKS OF
and became a part of the dwelling- now occupied by Mrs. Henry
Tillou. The present pastor is Rev. A. B. Norton. John G. Mead has
been recording steward of the society since 1805, succeeding Dnrfee
Osband.
CHAPTER XXIII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF SAVANNAH.
Savannah, the southeast corner town in Wayne county, was formed
from Galen on November, 24, 1825. It comprises the eastern part
of lot 27 of the Military Tract, and has an area of 21,908 acres, which
was originally surveyed into lots of 600 acres each. It is bounded on
the north by Butler, on the east by Cayuga county, on the south by
Seneca county, and on the west by Galen. The name Savannah is
derived from the Latin, Sabanum, and from the Spanish, Savana or
Sabana, and means, according to Webster, an extensive open plain or
meadow, or a plain destitute of trees, and covered with grass. From
the following brief description it will be seen that the town was appro-
priately named.
In the southern, central, and northern portions the surface is broken
into ridges of drift sand, which generally trend north and south. In
the southwest part is an extensive swamp, covering nearly 1,900 acres.
It is thickly covered with a coarse grass, which was successfully utilized
in 1867 in the manufacture of paper by the two paper mills then con-
ducted at Clyde. Efforts have been made to reclaim this immense
tract by a system of drainage, but the undertaking was evidently too
great for the means obtainable. At one time it was proposed to turn
the course of Crusoe Creek to the northeast, but commercial interests
at Oswego interfered and the scheme was abandoned. A second plan
was to blast out the bed of Seneca River, thus lowering it enough to
drain the surface; this also was never carried out. A resident some
years since spent several thousand dollars endeavoring to reclaim a
small portion, but as soon as the work was suspended it went back to
its original condition. The soil is a rich black muck, and a few feet
below the surface lies a stratum of valuable marl and shell. In wet
WAYNE COUNTY. 347
seasons the whole is covered with shallow water and presents a con-
tinuous inland lake. Flowing- northeasterly from Galen through the
north end of this swamp is Marsh Creek, which empties into a small
body of water north of vSavannah village, called Crusoe Lake. Through
this lake from the town of Butler flows Crusoe Creek, which forms a
junction with Seneca River, a little north of the railroad. The con-
siderable body of elevated land thus surrounded, lying between the
swamp and Seneca River, is locally termed Crusoe Island ; it is nearly
six miles long and four miles wide, and extends southward to the Ctyde
River in Seneca county, but more than one-half of its area lies within
the limits of this town. Extensive low swampy lands border Crusoe
Creek and Seneca River and form the northwestern portion of the
famous Montezuma marshes. Seneca River forms the eastern boundary
line of the town and county for nearly five miles. Excepting the large
open marsh in the southwestern part, the town was originally covered
with heavy timber, nearly all of which long ago disappeared. The soil
of the high lands is a sandy and gravelly loam. The whole is very
fertile, particularly the portions bordering on the marshes. It is gen-
erally susceptible of easy cultivation, and produces excellent crops of
hay, grain, fruit, etc. Agriculture forms the chief industry, and fruit
growing is given considerable attention. In 1858 the town produced
15,925 bushels of winter and 113,854 bushels of spring wheat, 1,901
tons of hay, 14,376 bushels of potatoes, 14,907 bushels of apples, 69,-
216 pounds of butter, 2,290 pounds of cheese, and 1,366 yards of do-
mestic cloths. Of domestic animals Savannah then contained 675
horses, 1,348 oxen and calves, 761 cows, 4,947 sheep, and 1,335 swine.
Probably no town in Wayne county ever acquired the degree of
prominence among sportsmen that was obtained by Savannah in years
gone by. It even yet maintains a respectable reputation in this direc-
tion, and fishing and duck hunting have always attracted the most atten-
tion ; on the marshes along Seneca River grows a species of wild oats
which in the fall attracts numerous blackbirds, many of which fall vic-
tims to the sportman's gun.
The highest elevation of land in the town is Fort Hill, so named from
an ancient earthwork discovered upon its extreme summit. It is sup-
posed to have been a work of defense, but aside from this its history is
buried in oblivion. It is situated near Seneca River south of the rail-
road. The old Jesuit " Relations " notice a mission as existing on this
hill about 1657. It was established by Father Rene Menard.
348 LANDMARKS OF
The development of the town in its earlier settlement was slow, yet
it has enjoyed a steady growth and kept pace with other similar subdivi-
sions of the county. The extensive marshes have ever menaced the
health and comfort of the inhabitants. The pioneers were a sturdy
class of people from New England and the eastern part of this State,
and imparted to the community their sterling- characteristics, indomit-
able energy, and native perseverance. They subdued a gloomy wilder-
ness and built attractive homes, many of which have passed to their
children and grandchildren. The latter have inherited the noble traits
of their ancestors, and ably maintain the moral status so thoroughly im-
planted by the generation that has passed away. Their pleasant homes
and comfortable surroundings seldom manifest a sign of the primitive
conditions of frontier life.
Unlike all the other southern towns in Wayne county, Savannah was
not destined to enjoy the immediate benefits of the Erie Canal, forthat
waterway approached it only through the extreme southwest corner;
but the advent of the New York Central Railroad in 1854 gave an im-
petus to the settlement and caused the village of Savannah to sp'ring up
and become incorporated. Prior to this not even a hamlet worthy the
name existed within its borders. The completion of the West Shore
Railroad in 1884 afforded still better transportation facilities. These
railroads run parallel through the southern central part of the town and
have stations at Savannah village.
Before settlers began to arrive the Galen Salt Works were established
on lot 37 near Seneca River. The original patent of this lot was vested
in Dr. James Young, of the Revolution. A well was sunk 400 feet deep,
which produced strong brine; another well was put down which emit-
ted inflammable gas. But the manufacture of salt here was unsuccess-
ful and the business was finally abandoned. In 1808 the works were
apparently prosperous, but in 1811 they had ceased operations entirely,
and Prentice Palmer moved in from Butler to take care of them. The
owners opened a highwajr in the town which led from their works to
Great Sodus Bay. This was known as the Galen road, and extended
westward to Clyde. The first thoroughfare in this vicinity, however,
was an old military trail called the State road, which ran west to the
block house (Clyde), but this was impassable when settlers began to ar-
rive. The construction of the Montezuma turnpike gave a decided im-
petus to immigration. About 1835 a mail route was established from
Auburn via Montezuma, through Savannah and Butler toWolcott, with
WAYNE COUNTY. 349
a post-office at Crusoe Lake called "Crusoe." When the New York
Central Railroad was completed this route was discontinued and the
post-office moved to Savannah village. The eastern plank road was con-
structed at an early day from Clyde to Port Byron byway of the old salt
works and Howland's Island, the latter points being- connected by a
bridge, which after a few years was neglected and finally went down.
This road was graded to the river, but planked eastward from Clyde
only to the highway leading north from the depot. Other thoroughfares
were surveyed and opened from time to time, and all are kept in excel-
lent condition.
The first town meeting was held at the Crusoe House, one-half mile
east of Crusoe Lake, in April, 1825, and David Cushman was elected the
first supervisor. The absence of the early town records renders it im.
possible to give the other officers chosen at this meeting or of the sub-
sequent supervisors until 1845. The supervisors since then have been
as follows :
Sylvanus Thompson, 1845. R. M. Evens, 1862-63.
Nelson Payn, 1846. William G. Soule, 1864-65.
Chauncey T. Ives, 1847-48. William R. Stultz, 1866-71.
Nelson Payn, 1849. Charles Wood, 1872-74,
Benajah Abrams, 1850. John A. Munson, 1875-78.
Charles D. Haddon, 1851-52. Amnion S. Farnum, 1879-83.
Ebenezer Fitch, 1853. Alonzo D. Wood, 1884-86.
Frank Knapp, 1854. John A. Munson, 1887-89.
Benajah Abrams, 1855. - E. L. Adams, 1890-92.
James M. Servis, 1856-61. Addison P. Smith, 1893-94.
The town officers for 1894 are: Addison P. Smith, supervisor; Charles
C. Taylor, town clerk; John H. Bixby, W. C. Soule, Charles Reed, H.
C. Rising, justices of the peace; Ebenezer Harrington, highway com-
missioner; John L. Spoor aud Gustavus Stuck, overseers of the poor;
E. M. Clark, George Anderson, H O. Bagley, assessors; Fred M. Had-
don, collector.
The Wayne County Gazetteer and Directory (1866) states that Elias
Converse and Joseph Mosher made the first settlements in Savannah in
1812, but according to information furnished by H. H. Wheeler, of
South Butler, and printed in a subsequent publication, it is evident that
settlers were living within the borders of this town as early as 1808. In
that year Eli Wheeler visited this region, and in 1810 located on a farm
of 200 acres in Butler. Stephen Titus was living in Savannah, three
miles east of Harrington's Corners, in 1808, and Noah Starr and Eph-
350 LANDMARKS OF
raim Burch were residents of that neighborhood inl810. Silas Winans
located one-half mile east of Harrington's as early as 1812.
In 1811 Prentice Palmer moved hither from Butler to care for the then
idle establishment of the old Galen Salt Works. He was originally from
Massachusetts, and in 1815 he removed to the town line one-half mile
west of South Butler. For man)- years he was justice of the peace, con-
stable, and collector.
Daniel Harrington, the grandfather of the late resident of that name,
located at the junction of the Muskeeto Point and Galen roads prior to
L815, and from him the place was long known as Harrington's Corners.
His sons were John, Nehemiah, Theophilus, Ira, and Peter. The same
year Noah and Horace Peck (Brothers), Aaron Hall, and Peter Blasdell
settled on the south side of the State road in the northwest part of the
town.
The first settlers between Harrington's Corners and the old Galen
Salt Works were Michael Weatherwax and Job Cushman in 1818. David,
son of the latter, married Poll}- Ann, the eldest daughter of Prentice
Palmer, and died in town; his widow married John Gorham, and their
daughter became the wife of George Wilson, who settled on the Cush-
man homestead. Orrin Wellman, whose father, Paul, was a Revolu-
tionary soldier, married Hannah, another daughter of Mr. Palmer, and
resided on lot 39 under a lease from Jacob Winchell. This property for
many years was celebrated in the annals of litigation. About L820
Charles Clapp settled on a farm south of Mr. Weatherwax, and Howell
Bidwell, his brother-in law, on the place subsequently occupied by By-
ron G. Clark. Horace Bidwell, a brother of Howell, located therewith
him and married Rhoda, youngest daughter of Paul Wellman.
Joseph Mosher and George Yredenburgh settled on the road from
Weatherwax 's to Crusoe Creek in 1812. From a landing place at the
junction of this road and the creek there was prosecuted for many years
a small commercial business in row boats. Mr. Mosher became well
known for his numerous swarms of bees.
Settlements on Crusoe Island, in the southern part of the town, com-
menced about as early as those already mentioned. Smith Ward came
in by water from Montezuma to May's Point, and thence to a locality
on the Montezuma turnpike since known as Penstock. In 1818 Nehe-
miah Bunyea settled near the north end of the island and erected a
dwelling on the site of the old Soule homestead; in 1819 George Vre-
denburgh and Elias Converse (father-in-law of Bunyea) moved over.
WAYNE COUNTY. 851
Mr. Vredenburgh afterward married Sally, youngest daughter of Mr.
Converse, and to them a child was born, being respectively the first
marriage and the first birth in town. Mr. Bunyea finally moved to the
Kingsbury farm and built thereon the first barn on the island; he event-
ually went to Montezuma, where he erected for Dr. Clark and Jethro
Wood the two conspicuous dwellings, long since landmarks, and for the
Montezuma Turnpike Company the first bridges across the Cayuga and
Canandaigua outlets. His father-in-law, Dr. William May, from whom
May's Point was named, was the first physician at Montezuma.
Titus Lockwood, a one-legged Revolutionary soldier, settled on the
State road in the extreme northwest corner of the town in 1819; about
1825 he sold to John M. Cobb. Jerry Mead came in from Cayuga county
about 1819, settled south of Lockwood, and died a few years later. His
successor was John Caywood, who came from Galen and who died on
the place, aged 102 years.
In 1820 Leonard Ferris, with his father, Caleb, and mother, Judah,
and Richard R)^an, his brother-in-law, settled in the northern part of
the town, and Amos Winnegar on the farm adjoining that of Silas Winan.
Henry Winnegar, a brother of Amos, located about 1830 on the place
afterward occupied by his son James R. In 1822 Philip Cook located
west of Crusoe Lake and about the same year Henry O'Neil settled near
by. In 1827 James Stiles came in, at which time Medad Blasdell, son
of Peter, sr., and Samuel Gilbert were residents. The latter was suc-
ceeded by Hubbard Hamlin, and he by his son-in-law, Mansfield B.
Winnegar. Ashley Hogan, Russell Palmer (brother of Prentice), and
Luther Chapin became settlers between 1823 and 1825. Russell Pal-
mer was active in town affairs and served as supervisor, justice of the
peace, etc. Mr. Chapin was elected to the Legislature in 1828.
On a road leading from the turnpike across the island to Crusoe Creek
Henry Taylor built a house in 1824, near where the Central depot now
stands. He died in October, 1893. About the same year George F.
Torry, Channcey Ives, and Garry Burnham settled in the neighborhood.
In the northwest part of the town Edward Bivins and Benjamin Hall,
brothers-in-law, settled in 1818; about 1819 Richard Rice started an
ashery in Savannah on the old State road at a point then called " In-
dian Camp." Thomas Hall, from Saratoga county, the father of Joshua,
Benjamin, Elias, Stephen and Peter, was an early settler. Another
Thomas Hall, a Baptist preacher from Junius, Seneca county, held the
first religious services in the town. He was father in-law of Richard
352 LANDMARKS OF
Rice, and the successors to his homestead were John Sedore, William
Robinson, John Gorham, and William Reed. A Mr. Stackus erected a
log house on the west side of Fort Hill at an early day and got out quan-
tities of oak staves and heading for market. Royal Torrrey, father of
George F., built the celebrated Crusoe House in 1824; it stood north of
Crusoe Creek and one-half mile' east of Crusoe Lake, on the Savannah
and South Butler road and for many years was the only tavern in the
town. In it were held the earlier town meetings and the public gath-
ings. When the railroad was completed in 1854 it ceased its career of
usefulness. Mr. Torrey built the first saw mill in town in 1824, a mile
east of his hotel.
To the foregoing list of early settlers may be added the names of
Benjamin Seeley, John Green, Abner and Ezra Brockway, Henry
Myers, Sampson McBane, Alexander and Martin Lamb, and John
Brockway.
Prominent among those now living are Albert Williams, Jacob and
Abner Wurtz, George, George A., and Ebenezer Farrand (sons of B.
C, who died in May. 1894), Benjamin F. Gage, John H. and Charles
G. Wood, Richard S. and John T. Crandall, James B. Wiley (ex-super-
intendent of the poor), John B. and Henry Carris, Rev. Philip Swift
(brother of the late Rev. Nathan M. ), George Safford (for many years the
conductor of the only Cheddar cheese factory in the county, and which is
now used for an evaporator), Simeon Titus (contractor), Rev. D. D.
Davis, Jacob S., George W. , and Frank Taylor (sons of Henry), Wel-
ling C. and Ernest C. Soule (sons of William G.), Herbert C. Soule
(son of Rowland), George Lockwood, Ebenezer Harrington, Aaron F.
and Andrew S. Hall, O'Connell Ferris, James M. Hadden, John A.
Munson (ex-supervisor, ex-assemblyman, and son of Archibald), Ensign
L. Adams, Amnion S. Farnuim (clerk of the board of supervisors),
Horace W. and Addison R. Smith, Hutchings E. Newton (proprietor
of the Newton House), Adelbert Hungcrford, Arthur W. Evans, Dr.
W. H. Sweeting, D. J. Gotten, Adam and Sylvester Secor, H. Owen
Bagley, Norman and George D. Springstead, Jeduthan E. Tallman, E.
M. Clark, and Benjamin South wick.
Moses Cook, a son of the pioneer, Peter, died here in September,
L891. Rev. Nathan R. Swift, born in 1821, settled on a farm in Savan-
nah soon after L841, and died there in December, L890. He was one
of the founders and president of Adrian College, of which he was long
treasurer and for twenty-five years a trustee. F. M. Johnson, a native
WAYNE COUNTY. 353
of this town, died here in 1891. Dr. W. H. Smith, father of Horace
W. and Addison P., and for twenty-five years a practitioner in .Savan-
nah village, died in California in 1891; Sylvester A. Farnum, father of
Hon. A. S., died here in February, 1892.
In 1858 Savannah had 951 males and 811 female inhabitants, 343
dwellings, 349 families, 212 freeholders, and 11,251 acres improved
land. The real estate was assessed at $455,362 and the personal prop-
erty at $8,000. In 1890 the population was 1,788, or sevent3^-nine less
than in 1880. In 1893 the real estate was assessed at $623,690 (equal-
ized $636,500); village and mill property $127,679 (equalized $115,-
824); railroads and telegraphs $257,259 (equalized $233,120); personal
property $246,425. Schedule of taxes 1893: Contingent fund, $1,-
222,19; poor fund, $300; roads and bridges, $550; school tax, $1,074.16;
county tax, $2,570.06; State tax, $1,416.24; State insane, $365.36; dog
tax, $74. Total tax levied, $8,135.88; rate per cent., .00710134. The
town has two election districts and in 1893 polled 367 votes.
During the Rebellion the town contributed 158 volunteers to the
Union forces. Its obligations in that long conflict were cheerfully and
promptly met, and its citizens may well feel proud of Savannah's ex-
cellent war record.
The first school house in Savannah was erected on the site of the
present Evans Cemetery as early as 1816, and the first teacher therein
was Loren Brown, who received five dollars per month. On what was
then Big Hill, where now stands an old orchard, a log school house
was built in 1822; the first teachers in it were Maria Westcott and
Austin Roe. In Savannah village a union school was established sev-
eral years since by the consolidation of two districts, and a brick school
house erected at a cost of $5,000. In 1892 this was replaced by the
present frame structure at an expense of $8,000; this was opened in
February, 1893. It has four departments, a library of 500 volumes,
and employs five teachers, the present principal being Howard N. Tol-
man. Although nominal^ a graded institution, it affords all the privi-
leges of a High school and is governed accordingly. It was placed
under the Board of Regents of the State mainly through the efforts of
C. G. Plumb, M. D., now of Red Creek. The trustees elected in
August, 1893, were D. J. Cotten, president; J. A. Munson, secretary;
and E. M. Clark. The town has twelve school districts with a school
house in each, employing seventeen teachers, during the year 1892-93.
The number of children attending these schools is 458. The school
45
354 LANDMARKS OF
buildings and sites are valued at $16,7(30; assessed valuation of districts
$1,248,646; money received from the vState, $2,133.23; amount raised
by local tax, $11,217.99.
The first saw mill has previously been mentioned. Following that
came another on Crusoe Creek, near the plank road crossing, which
was erected by Kendrick Bixby. It was operated by steam, and about
1850 was sold to Othniel Palmer, son of Prentice, in whose possession
it burned. A. Wise built a steam saw mill near the west town line,
with which he converted a fine grove of hemlock on the farm of Charles
A. Rose into lumber. Archibald Munson built another saw mill near
Fort Hill and sawed up a large quantity of oak, hickory, chestnut, and
whitewood timber. Gideon Ramsdell erected one near the site of the
old Galen Salt Works some twenty-five years since, which facilitated
his extensive lumber operations for the railroad. A saw mill near
South Butler was the last one of the kind in town. It was built by
Samuel B. Tucker and O. H. Wheeler in 1839, and finally passed into
the possession of Bradway & Crofoot, who conducted it several years.
They also carried on a large business in manufacturing shingles and
cooperage. Capt. William B. Dodge built and conducted at the depot
in Savannah village a flouring mill, cider mill, saw mill, and wheel-
barrow manufactory; these were operated about three years, when they
burned. Hiram Dieffendorf, about 1864, erected a large barrel, stave
and heading manufactory near the depot, which was destroyed by fire
in the fall of 1866; it was rebuilt and soon burned again.
Hill & Munson's flouring mill west of the depot, was built by Hill &
Bradley in 1889. In February, 1890, John A. Munson purchased Mr.
Bradley's interest. This contains the full roller process, and is the only
grist mill in town. Mr. Munson also carries on the coal, grain, and
lumber business that was established by his father, Archibald, in 1858,
and which was conducted by the latter until his death in December,
is;:;.
Savannah Village. — This is the only village, post-office, or railroad
station in the town, and its corporate limits include nearly the whole of
military lots 64- and 65, of township 27. These lots contain 600 acres
each, and were set apart and reserved for the support of the gospel.
When the railroad was completed and the depot built in 1854 this place
comprised only Michael Curry's grocery store and Henry Taylor's resi-
dence. In 1867 it was legally incorporated and the first officers elected
were: Board of Trustees, Hiram Dieffendorf (president), Peter J.
WAYNE COUNTY. 855
Powell, Nicholas C. Vaught, and Patrick McCullum ; police justice,
Joseph Renyon ; assessors, William R. Stults, John Evans, Horace
Wadsworth; collector, Hezekiah Stults; clerk and treasurer/ Edward
Luce ; street commissioner and police constable, M, Quackenbush.
The succeeding presidents have been:
W. E. Smith, 1868, Charles Wood, 1876.
Peter J. Powell, 1869-70, Records inaccessible, 1877 to 1885,
Charles Wood, 1871, A. Gregg, 1886,
Cyrus Andrews, 1872, C. B. Jepson, 1887-88,
Delos Betz, 1873, Ammon S. Farnum, 1889-91,
Andrew J. Holdridge, 1874, A. S. Hall, 1892-93,
Charles H. Hamlin, 1875, A. S. Farnum, 1894.
The village officers for 1894 are: A. S. Farnum, (president), Horace
W. Smith, Ensign L. Adams, Charles B. Jepson, trustees ; O. Clate
Silver, clerk; E. M. Crandall, collector; Hiram Ellis, police justice;
William H. Fitch, police constable ; L. C. Sherman, treasurer; J. Wy-
man Joslyn, street commissioner; Dr. William H. Phelps, Andrew J.
Holdridge, John A. Munson, assessors.
Archibald Munson settled on a farm here in 1825 and erected the sec-
ond house on the site of the village; Henry Taylor, previously men-
tioned, preceded him in 1824. The first regular store was opened by
John Evans in 1854 near the railroad ; in 1855 he went into partnership
with R. W. Evans and moved to a larger building erected by Winans
Winnegar, where business was afterward prosecuted by R. W. Evans
alone, William R. Stults, and W. G. Smith. The Savannah Hotel was
built by Archibald Munson in 1858 and opened by Bela Smith and A J.
Squires, lessees, February 20, 1859. This subsequently had several
landlords. The first blacksmith shop was built and kept by Joseph
Remer in 1854. Putnam & Co. 's barrel factory was started by them in
1893. In 1888 A. J. Conroe began the manufacture of a Chinese laun-
dry bluing; in October, 1893, the business was sold to C. H. Betts, of
Wolcott, who organized the present Consolidated Bluing Company. A
few years since the manufacturing of flag salt, a proprietary medicine,
was commenced ; this was developed into quite an extensive business
under the direction of Dr. W. H. Sweeting. Besides these the village con-
tains six general stores, one hardware store, a jewelry store, two hotels
and liveries, two newspapers and printing offices, a meat market, two
coal, lumber, and produce dealers, one millinery store, a grist mill, two
churches, a graded school, three physicians, the usual shops, etc., and
a population of 505.
356 LANDMARKS OP
The Savannah Fire Company No. 1, was organized July 26, 1887, and
reorganized February 6, 1893. It is equipped with a hand engine, hose
cart, ladders, hose, etc. The officers for 1894 are: Michael McGinniss,
president; George W. Cooper, vice-president; O. Clate Silver, secretary;
Horace W. Smith, treasurer; W. C. Soule, chief engineer; D. B. Remer
and Addison P. Smith, foremen.
May's Point, in the south part of the town, contains a store and a half
dozen dwellings. A half mile north is the jewelry establishment of
William Farrand.
Churches. — The Presbyterian church, of Savannah, was organized by
Revs. Wilson and Young, from Lyons, in 1864, in the district school
house, with seventeen constituent members. The first pastor was Rev.
George W. Warner and the first elders and deacons -were Moses Treat
and John North. Their house of worship was built at a cost of about
$5,000, and was dedicated August 18, 1864, by Rev. Horace Eaton,
D.D., of Palmyra. The first superintendent of the Sunday school was
Archibald Munson, and the last pastor of the church was Rev. E. B.
Fisher. The society finally grew weaker in members and influence, and
is now virtually disbanded. The edifice though still owned in the name
of the board of trustees, was converted into a cold storage in 1893.
The Methodist Episcopal church, of Savannah, was organized about
L861 and their frame edifice was completed and dedicated in November,
L870. This church owes its foundation largely to Archibald Munson,
who contributed $1,000 towards the lot and building, and who was other-
wise influential in sustaining and promoting its interests. The society's
parsonage was erected in 1883-84 at a cost of about $1,500. The pres-
ent pastor is Rev. G. E. Campbell.
St. Patrick's church (Roman Catholic), of Savannah was built in 1875-
76, and cost about $2, 500. Fulfilling the wishes of Mrs. Michael C. Curry
the lot on which it stands was donated to the parish by her daughter,
Mrs. Andrew McDade, of Rochester. The church is in charge of the
resident priest in Clyde and is served from there. It owes its founda-
tion to the Rev. P. W. O'Connell, D.D., assisted by Edward Flinn.
WAYNE COUNTY. 357
CHAPTER XXIV.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF ARCADIA.
Arcadia1 was set off from the western part of Lyons on the loth of
February, 1825. It originally comprised a portion of the old district of
Soclus (which see), from which the town of Lyons was formed March
1, 1811. It lies immediately west of the southern center of Wayne
county, and is bounded on the north by Sodus, on the east by Lyons,
-£>n the south by Ontario county, and on the west by the counties of On-
tario and the towns of Palmyra and Marion. The town has an area of
30,914 acres, and lies wholly within the bounds of the old Pultney
estate, of which Capt. Charles Williamson was the local agent or pat-
entee.
The surface is diversified by drift ridges, basins, and valleys, and
was originally covered with a heavy growth of timber. The soil is very
fertile and easily cultivated, being mainly a sandy or gravelly loam ad-
mixed with more or less clay. Gypsum exists in the southwest and
marl near the center. Outside of Newark village the chief industry is
agriculture, in which the town has ever maintained a foremost position.
Wheat, oats, corn, barley, hay, apples, small fruits, tobacco, potatoes,
vegetables, peppermint, etc., are grown extensively and with profit.
In the production of peppermint and the shipment of oil the town is
one of the most important in the United States.
The principal stream is Ganargwa Creek, which flows easterly
through the town and receives a few small tributaries. Trout Run,
flowing northward through Marbletown and a corner of Newark vil-
lage, courses thence easterly into Lyons. In 1799 the Legislature
passed an act making Ganargwa (Mud) Creek a navigable stream, and
dams could not be constructed without locks. This afforded the earli-
est communications with eastern markets, and until the completion of
1 According to Pausanias, an eminent Greek geographer and historian, the word
Arcadia is derived from the eponymous hero Areas, the son of Calisto, and in Greece
is applied to the largest county in the Peloponnesus. Why or by whom the name
was given to this town has never been definitely determined.
358 LANDMARKS OF
the Erie Canal in 1825 was the principal route of transportation. The
opening of the canal had a marked influence upon the development and
subsequent growth of this section, and especially imparted to Newark
a decided impetus.
In 1854 the direct line of the New York Central Railroad was com-
pleted and opened, and assured to the town a future that has more than
fulfilled expectations. In 1852 the Sodus Point and Southern (now the
Sodus branch of the Northern Central) Railroad was incorporated, a
route was surveyed, and grading was commenced, but in 1857 the work
was suspended. In 1870 the work was revived, the road was com-
pleted, and the first train passed over it July 4, 1872. It has stations
at Newark, Fairville, and Zurich. To aid in the construction of this the
town was bonded September 1, 1870, for $122,000, of which sum $114,-
400 remained unpaid January 1, 1804. The railroad commissioners are
Clark Phillips, J. G. Pitts, and Peter R. Sleight. The West Shore (orig-
inally the New York, West Shore and Buffalo) Railroad was completed
and formally opened January 1, 1885.
The first road leading to Phelps was laid out from Newark south-
ward to the outlet, and the earliest effort to improve the highways was
the building of bridges across the Ganargwa. In 1804 a bridge was
erected at the "Excelsior" mills of Howell & Reeves, and others fol-
lowed until the construction of the plank road over the flat, which was
done by subscription, the prime movers being Messrs. Bartle, Miller,
and Blackmar. It was known as the Newark and Sodus road, and Mr.
Bartle was president of the company. Travel avoided it, however, to
escape the toll and the road was given to the town. In 1825 forty-nine
road districts were formed and as many overseers were chosen.
The first town meeting was held at William Popple's coffee house in
Newark on April 5, 1825, and the following officers were elected:
James P. Bartle, supervisor; Theodore Partridge, town clerk; Heze-
kiah Dunham, Joseph Luce, Andrew Finch, assessors; Hiram Sover-
hill and Joseph Mills, overseers of the poor; Henry Cronise, Edmund
T. Aldrich, Durfee Sherman, commissioners of highways; Hiram So-
verhill, William Terry, James McCain, constables; Caleb P. Lippett,
Artemus Doane, John L. Kipp, commissioners of common schools;
George W. Scott, Artemus Doane, Joseph A. Miller, inspectors of com-
mon schools; Samuel Soverhill, pound master. The keeping of the
town poor, being sold to the highest bidder, was awarded to Abraham
Loper for $199; the next year it was given to Peter Foster for $14:!,
^y^ux^y-
WAYNE COUNTY
359
and in 1827 to Mr. Loper again for $114. May 25, 1825, Rufus A. Roys
was chosen marshal to enumerate the legal voters, and on November
7, Truman Hart received 357 votes for senator and Ambrose Hall, 333
and A. Kipp 341 for members of assembly. The following- have served
as supervisors :
James P. Bartle, 1825-27,
George W. Scott, 1828,
John L. Cuyler, 1829-30,
Joseph A. Miller, 1831-32,
Edmund B. Bill, 1833,
Esbon Blackmar, 1834,
James P. Bartle, 1835,
James Miller, jr., 1836-37,
James P. Bartle, 1838,
Silas Peirson, 1839,
Vincent G. Barney, 1840,
Joseph A. Miller, 1841,
Ezra Pratt, 1842,
Abraham Fairchild, 1843,
Perry G. Price, 1844,
George H. Middleton, 1845,
George C. Mills, 1846,
George W. Scott, 1847,
George Howland, 1848,
James S. Crosby, 1849,
Clark Mason, 1850,
Ezra Pratt, 1851,
Esbon Blackmar, 1852,
James D. Ford, 1853,
Albert F. Cressey, 1854,
James D. Ford, 1855-59,
Elon St. John, 1860-62,
Artemas W. Hyde, 1863-65,
Elon St. John, 1866,
Henry Cronise, jr., 1867,
George H. Price, 1868,
Tie vote between James W. Ford
and Silas S. Peirson, 1869,
Oliver Crothers, 1870,
Charles W. Stuart, 1871-72,
Jacob Lusk, 1873.
Edwin K. Burnham, 1874,
James H. Miller, 1875-76,
George H. Price, 1877-79,
James Jones, 1880,
J. Dupha Reeves, 1881-82,
E. K. Burnham, 1883-84,
W. H. Nicholoy, 1885,
Henry J. Peirson, 1886-87,
Carlos A. Stebbins, 1888,
J. Dupha, Reeves, 1889-94,
Henry J. Peirson resigned in the
fall of 1887 and E. K. Burnham
was appointed to fill the unex-
pired term.
The town officers for 1894 are : J. Dupha Reeves, supervisor; T.
Davis Prescott, clerk ; Clarence Conklin, B. C. Williams, R. F. Randall,
and Dr. J. W. Barnes, justices of the peace; Emor E. Burleigh, Richard
Van Dusen, and Charles O. Smith, assessors; William H. H. Hebbins,
collector; Christopher C. Lusk, overseer of the poor ; Charles J. Schwartz,
highway commissioner; Harvey E. Shurtleff, Oliver A. Eggleston, and
Hanson A. Gardner, constables; Godfrey Geuthner, game constable.
More than one hundred years have passed since the first white settle-
ment was made within the present limits of Arcadia. Time and toil
have transformed a primitive wilderness into productive fields and pleas-
ant homes. The rude log cabins have long since been superseded b)^
spacious residences, and the little church and school house have given
360 LANDMARKS OF
place to more commodious institutions. Of the pioneers none remains
to recount the hardships and privations of frontier life, but a few of
their children and man)' of their grandchildren still link the past to the
present and tell the tales of the early fireside, incidents ever dear to the
heart of the long-time citizen.
The first settlers were Joseph Winters and Benjamin Franklin, who
located near the Ganargwa in the west part of Arcadia in 1791. Win-
ters was a surveyor, and was useful in running the earlier lot lines
and roads. He settled on the farm subsequently owned by Demos-
thenes Smith, while Franklin took up his residence near the Palmyra
border. A child of the latter died in 1792, being the first white
death in town. Arnold Franklin either came with the two just men-
tioned or very soon afterward, and located at Jessup's Corners. His
improvement was finally purchased by Hiram Soverhill. In 1793
George Culver, son of Moses, came hither and was followed two years
later by the Long Island colony detailed in the chapter devoted to
Palmyra.
December 16, 1709, Samuel Soverhill took from Captain Williamson
a deed for 140 acres of land, which has ever since been known as the
Soverhill homestead, and for which he paid $589.50 in wheat delivered
at Geneva at fifty cents per bushel. The farm lot was surveyed Octo-
ber 25, 1790. Mr. Soverhill came on foot from New Jersey, and the
same year built a log house on his purchase. The next spring he
brought his wife and three children hither on horseback. Being a
blacksmith he built a small shop and made axes, scythes, and other
edged tools and plows. About 1812 he built a dam and a saw mill on
the creek and manufactured lumber until water failed and timber be-
came scarce. He built the first barn in the neighborhood and probably
in the town ; it stood on the site of the orchard lot, from which it was
moved and finally demolished. The frame was hewed and the oak
shingles were four feet in length. Mr. Soverhill died in 1819 and
his wife in 18GG, both on the old homestead. Their son, Hiram
Soverhill, born October 17, 1800, was the first white male child born in
the town, and is still living here. Joel Soverhill, another son, occupies
the original farm.
During these years wild beasts were a constant menace to the early
settlers. Little stock was kept, and these were closely guarded. Upon
the fiat a part)- of Indians came annually and pitched their rude brush-
tents, and here they hunted and fished, and, visiting the settlers, de-
WAYNE COUNTY. 361
maiided bread. They were fed by the settlers' wives, who feared to
offend them. As settlement increased, game and fish grew scarce,
and they left for more promising localities.
Simeon Burnett, a bachelor and a hat maker, lived near Soverhill,
and after erecting a log house sold out and removed. Ira, Eben, and
Phineas Austin, brothers, settled on adjoining farms which their father
had purchased for them, and upon which they were succeeded by J.
and G. G. Austin. Henry Cronise and Henry Lambright came here
from Maryland with a number of slaves. The former settled north of
the creek, and the latter south. Henry Cronise is said to have owned
the first reaper in town. A man named Beatty joined Cronise on the
west. John D. Robinson bought 600 acres on Ganargwa Creek and
divided the tract among his sons, Peter, John, and Harry. The latter
finally sold to the Crosbys, who' failed to make their payments, and
gave way to Paul Reeves, who was succeeded by his son, Jacob H.
John Robinson died here and a part of his farm passed to Joel Sover-
hill. Peter Robinson sold to Aaron Vandercarr. Pliny Foster settled
near Soverhill, but finally removed to Newark and died there, being
succeeded by his son, Bailey D. Foster. Samuel Fairchild, a stone
mason, and Silas Paine were also early comers. The latter was a noted
fisherman and had a son named Hunter, who was thrown from a wagon
and instantly killed. A daughter of Silas Payne became the wife of
James Miller and inherited the farm at her father's death. It then
passed to Milo Galloway, to David Jewell, to Artemus W. Hyde, and
to Miles Hyde.
Artemus W. H3^de was a doctor by profession, but a tavern keeper
by practice, and built and opened an inn at Hydeville, a place that
took his name. He followed this business during his life, making his
hostelry a favorite resort. He bought farms around him and became
a large land owner. The settlement has acquired considerable noto-
riety as the birthplace of modern spiritualism. John Fox, with his
wife and five children, rented a house and shop here and followed his
trade of blacksmith. The parents were reputed honest, industrious
people. On the night of March 31, 1849, two daughters, Margaret and
Catherine, and their niece, Elizabeth Fish, claimed they heard mys-
terious rappings, and a system of communication devised by the mother
led to the revelation that one John Bell had killed a peddler and buried
his body in the cellar. People gathered in large numbers and discussed
the rappings, which were continued; and the girls, emboldened by
46
362 LANDMARKS OF
their success, removed to Rochester in May and gave public exhibi-
tions. These were widely reported and took the name of the celebrated
" Rochester rappings."
Other early settlers were Nathaniel Reeves, father of Samuel and
Harmon; Thomas Crandall, who introduced grain cradles into the
town; Caleb Tibbetts and John and Joseph Tibbetts; Joseph Riggs;
two Dutchmen named Rettman and Vaninwagen ; James M. Stever,
near Fairville, who also had an ashery, and finally sold to John Nichols,
a carpenter; Elisha Avery, who was succeeded by Newton Clark; and
John Chambers, Nathaniel Avery, and Jesse Owen.
John Welcher came from New Jersey in 1798 and located north of
Jessup's Corners. He had fifty acres, and eventually became a wealthy
farmer. Ezekiel Cronise came in the same year, on foot, carrying a
rifle that passed into the possession of J. S. Cronise, of Newark.
Joseph Fellows was an early settler in the neighborhood, as were also
Benjamin Johnson, Ezra Pratt, Thomas Rogers, Jacob Van Etten, and
a Mr. Howard.
Among the pioneers south of the Ganargwa were Lewis Jessup, Will-
iam Stansell, Rev. Wesley Benton, Enoch De Kay (a miller), and
Jeremiah Lusk. Silas Peirson located near Simon Burnett. He came
from Long Island and was a carpenter by trade. He was the father of'
Henry R. Peirson and the grandfather of Silas S.
Other settlers south of the creek were Elder Roe, a Baptist preacher;
Gaines Howell; Jacob Hill, who built a cobblestone house; John Nor-
ris; Jonathan Fairchild, a brother-in-law of Joel Hall; Abraham Rush;
B. Roberts; O. Tobias; Mr. Daniels, the father of Clark and James;
Luke Van Dusen; Ezra H. and C. C. Chadwick; M. Trowbridge, who
died almost a centenarian; Messrs. Phillips, Robinson, W. Ridley,Aldrich,
A. and E. D. Frisbie, Abraham Garlock (father of Peter), Daniel
Smith, Alanson and William Fisk (on lot 57), Lyman Husted (a black-
smith on lot 87), Sackett L. Husted, Samuel Gilky, John Starks, Will-
iam Tinney, Preston R. Parker, Chester Burke, the Wolfroms, the
Van Valkenburgs, Simeon Bryan, Joseph and Caleb Tibbetts (whose
property finally passed to Carlos A. Stebbins), and Luther Sanford and
son.
John Phillips came to Arcadia from Rensselaer county, N. Y., in
May, ls:5f), and died December 0, 1860. Clark Phillips, his son, was
born August 5, 1817, removed to this town with his parents, and be-
came a prominent citizen. He was county superintendent of the poor,
WAYNE COUNTY. 363
postmaster at Newark, and commissioner during- the construction of
the Sodus Point and Southern Railroad, of which he became a director
in 1871.
Joseph Caldwell purchased four hundred acres of timber land, built a
saw mill, and manufactured large quantities of lumber. John Halstead
also had a saw mill and carried on a store. H. J. Mesick, an early
settler, built another on Whipspool brook, and was also a very extensive
farmer. A Mr. Aldrich operated a machine shop and near by Warren
S. Bartle had a furnace. These were pioneer industries conducted in
the vicinity of Marbletown, where Mr. Stansell also had an early saw
mill.
In 1803 Paul Reeves and Gilbert Howell built a saw mill on Ganargwa
Creek in the west part of the town, and in 1804 they erected a grist mill
on the site of a subsequent structure. James Bennett very early had a
saw mill at Hydeville, and for a time a small grist mill was operated
there. Henry Hyde also had a saw mill at that place. In 1830 there
were four distilleries located along the Ganargwra and operated respect-
ively by Harrison, Luce, Sherman and Mansfield.
Luther Finley became one of the earliest mail carriers in this section.
He began by carrying the mails from Newark to Phelps, and ever since
the New York Central Railroad was opened he has continued the busi-
ness between the Newark post-office and station and Arcadia. He owned
and ran the first omnibus in the village.
Prominent among other citizens of the town are recalled the names
of Henry R. Peirson, Marvin I. Greenwood, Hon. E. K. Burnham,
Fletcher Williams, Joel H. Prescott (formerly a merchant), Lewis J.
Bryant, Moses F. Hamm, J. Dupha Reeves, Byron Thomas (ex-county
clerk), Richard P. Groat (ex-sheriff and ex-member of assembly), Robert
Turnbull (a Scotchman who died in September, 1889), William C. Peir-
son (who died July 26, 1889), Samuel Bloomer (who died in March,
1889), John S. Cronise (a retired hardware merchant), J. P. Garlock
(on a portion of the old Bryant homestead), William H. Hyde, Orrin
Blackmar, Uriah Hutchings (who died in 1890), John Dillenbeck,
Andrew C. Bartle, M. E. Burnham (a merchant who died in November,
1891), D. P. Smith (on the farm his father settled in 1836), and many
others mentioned a little further on and in Part II of this volume.
In 1858 the town had 24,539 acres of improved land, real estate
assessed at $1,421,601, personal property at $101,728; there were 2,832
male and 2,684 female inhabitants, 987 dwellings, 1,102 families, 796
:iii| LANDMARKS OF
freeholders, 24 school districts and 1,993 school children, 1,453 horses,
1,735 oxen and calves, L, 493 cows, L0,821 sheep, and 2,788 swine. The
productions were 44,032 bushels winter and 180,099 bushels spring
wheat, t,580 tons hay. 23,870 bushels potatoes, 38,424 bushels apples,
140,054 pounds butter, 5,331 pounds cheese, and 803 yards domestic
cloths.
In 1890 the town had a population of 6,310, or COS less than in 1880.
In L893 the assessed value of land aggregated $1,235,83!) (equalized
$1,249,346); village and mill property, $878,889 (equalized $899,868);
railroads and telegraphs, $594,230 (equalized $582,020) ; personal prop-
erty, $-230,510. Schedule of taxes, 1893: Contingent fund. $3,530.71 ;
town poor fund, $2,300; roads and bridges, $1,(500; special town tax,
$8,108; school tax, $2,709.76; county tax, $6, 183.42; State tax, $3,572.-
72; State insane tax, $921.69; dog tax, $:S54. Total tax levy, $29,988,-
08; rate per cent., .01020187. August 11, 1890, the town was divided
into six election districts, which have since been reduced to four, and in
L893 a total of 1,132 votes was polled.
During the War of the Rebellion the town sent to the front more than
440 of her brave and loyal citizens to fight the nation's battles. All did
valiant service, serving with credit to their town and regiments, which
are properly noticed in a preceding chapter.
There are several burial places in the town, the most important of
which are those at Newark village. The original plat of the Newark
cemetery was donated for the purpose by Rev. Roger Benton, the father
of John W. In it lie many of the earlier pioneers. The Willow Lawn
Cemetery was opened about 1847 and improved under the supervision
of Stephen Culver.
At Jessup's Corners the first school house in town was built as early
as 1806, and in it a Air. Olmstead, Martin Root, Jonathan Scott, and
Eliza Romeyn were early teachers. Samuel Soverhill donated a site
upon which a log school building was erected in 1810. It contained a
fireplace in each end, and among its earliest teachers were Dennis
Clark, Henry Parks (who served in the war of 1812), Jesse Owen, Eliza
Romeyn, Hiram Soverhill, and Ahiel Guthrie. The latter continued
five years and at one time had 106 scholars on his roll. The settlers
desired a place to hold religious services, and this school house was en-
larged by an addition twenty feet in length, making it 60x24. Those
concerned in the extension were Samuel Soverhill, Pliny Poster, Lewis
Jessup, Joseph Bennett, and Paul Reeves. The interior of the
WAYNE COUNTY. 365
chtirchly school house was provided with a pulpit of whitewood boards
arranged to form a semi-circle. Above this clerical stockade only the
head of the preacher was visible. Elders Roe and Pomeroy officiated.
Elder Roe was accustomed to discourse three to four hours. The sing-
ing of that pioneer choir was as attractive as the sermon was tedious.
It was led by Adonijah H. Fairchild. Samuel Soverbill sang bass,
Isaac Soverhill tenor, and Susan Soverhill counter. Finally the "Id
frame was removed and in 1836 a cobble-stone school house was
erected.
The first school house in Newark was built on a site donated for the
purpose by Jacob Lusk. It was finally sold and converted into a shop.
The second one was erected on the east side of Miller street by Joseph
Miller, sr. , and was known as Marvin Hall. It was two stories high,
the lower story being used for a school and church and the upper part
for a Masonic lodge room. A third house was a stone building on the
corner of Church and Charles streets, and in this Cornelius Horton
was a teacher in 1832. The same year Philander Dawley taught in a
school house in East Newark (then Lockville), and in 1837 he had a
school in the basement of the Baptist church; from 1839 to 1843 he
taught in the old stone school house, in which the enrollment reached
over 300 scholars. At one time there were five select schools in session
in Newark.
In 1844 Newark village had within its limits four common school dis-
tricts and buildings, viz. : One building near the New York Central
Railroad station, one facing South street on a part of the M. E. Briggs
lot, one in the east part of the village, and one on the northeast corner
of the present Union School lot, being respectively Districts No. 24, 9
18, and 8. In 1845 the formation of a union school district was agitated
and in 1847 a consolidation was effected, but hard fighting on the part
of the opponents obtained a reversal of the proceedings. The agitation
was continued, however, until May 3, 1849, when the four districts
were again consolidated as Union School District No. 8. At this time
Dr. Joseph A. Burrows was town superintendent of schools; the four
districts contained 472 scholars between the ages of five and sixteen,
taxable property aggregating $189,032, and school houses and sites
valued at $1,300. The first officers were George H. Middleton, George
C. Mills, and Ruel Taylor, trustees; Daniel Kenyon, clerk; Henry
Lusk, collector; who were chosen at the first meeting of the new dis-
trict held at the Universalist church on May 3, 1849, of which Clark
366 LANDMARKS OF
Mason was chairman and Joel H. Prescott clerk pro tent. It was de-
cided to purchase a four-acre lot lying between Miller and Church
streets and to levy a tax of $2,000 to pay for the same, but the oppo-
nents of consolidation soon afterward rescinded these and other resolu-
tions, and in 1850, by agreement, the new town superintendent, George
W. Thompson, dissolved Union District No. 8, and old Districts Nos. 8
and 9 were permanently united under the same designation. August
10, 1850, these officers were chosen: vStephen Aldrich, William Tabor,
and Rockwell Stone, trustees; Frederick A. Rew, clerk; John C. Ban-
nister, collector.
In 1850-51 a two-story school house was erected, the building com-
mittee being the trustees and G. H. Middleton, Eliab T. Grant, Benja-
min F. Wright, Stephen Culver. John Daggett, and Ruel Taylor. It
was opened December 3, 1851. March 23, 1857, it became a Union free
school under the laws of 1853, the first trustees being Joel H. Prescott,
Stephen Culver and Ruel Taylor. February 5, 1863, a reorganization
was effected under the name of the Newark Union Free wSchool and
Academy, thus placing the institution under the Regents of the Uni-
versity of the State of New York. From 1870 until 1890 the project
of building a new and larger school house was agitated with periodical
regularity, but nothing materialized except numerous repairs to the old
structure. October 7, 1890, the trustees were authorized by popular
vote to erect a new structure and to levy a tax on the district of $30,-
000, against which they were to issue bonds payable within ten years.
March 4, 1891, the contract was let to Charles Schuman for $20,912, to
whom the old school house was sold for $1,200. The total cost of the
new building was $3\J,450.47. The corner-stone was laid June 11, 1891,
and the edifice was formally dedicated on the 17th of December follow-
ing. It is a handsome brick structure with stone foundation, and was
erected on the site of the old one under the supervision of trustees A.
D. Soverhill, M. F. Hamm and C. P. H. Vary.
The first principal was George Franklin, who was engaged December
8, 1851, remaining till 1854. His successors have been C. M. Chitten-
den, C. P. Head, F. D.Hodgson, H. Vosburgh, B. C. Rude, E. V. De
Graff, J. Dorman Steele, Jacob Wilson, O. B. Seagravc. W. 1. Norton,
C. A. Peake, Dr. W. S. Aumock, \V. G. Bassett, P. I. Bugbee, and
John W. Robinson. The Board of Education for 1894-5 consists of P.
Davis Prescott, president; Dr. A. A. Young, secretary; and C. P. H.
Vary; James P. Ballou, treasurer; George F. Palmer, collector.
WAYNE COUNTY. 367
Prior to the Rebellion a brick building- was commenced on Asylum
hill which was intended for a Baptist Collegiate Institute, but funds
failed, work was suspended, and about a dozen years later it was pur-
chased and finished by the German Methodists for a Lutheran Acad-
emy. From September 3, 1873, to June 26, 1876, it was used as a col-
lege, but want of students and lack of funds caused the mortgage to
foreclose and it became the property of George Wagner of Rochester.
It remained idle until selected by the State for the present custodial
asylum, of which it forms the center or main building.
The town has twenty-three school districts with a school house in
each, which in 1892-93 were taught by thirty-six teachers and attended
by 1,412 scholars; value of school buildings and sites, $50,225; assessed
valuation of the districts, $3,034,000; public money received from the
State, $5,289.53; raised by local tax, $11,208.96.
Newark Village lies in the southern central part of the town imme-
diately south of the New York Central Railroad. Through it also runs
the West Shore and Northern Central Railroads and the Erie Canal, the
construction of the latter giving rise to the place. It is ninety-seven
miles from Buffalo and 329 miles from New York, and is a consolida-
tion of the villages of Miller's Basin (changed to Newark) and Lock-
ville (changed to East Newark, or Arcadia post-office). The site was
originally owned by Jacob, Isaac, and Philip Lusk, sons of Jeremiah, and
the vicinity of East Newark seems to have been regarded as the fu-
ture village. John Spoor settled there prior to 1800, when he was
succeeded by Nicholas Stansell, the pioneer of Lyons, who died in 1819,
and was followed as proprietor by his son William. Mr. Stansell erected
a saw mill and dam, a second saw mill, and a raceway. Lewis J. Ben-
ton and his father also built a saw mill here, and Roderick Price earty
engaged in merchandising and shipping grain. He put up a grist mill
and did a large business, and for his mills John Drum burned the first
kiln of brick in town. The Legislature authorized Mr. Price to tap the
canal at the middle lock for water power. He sold to Lamer eaux and
Grant.
In May, 1820, Joseph Miller took a contract to construct one and one-
fourth miles of the canal, and purchasing 100 acres of Jacob Lusk he
had a plat surveyed into village lots by Hiram Tibbetts. Streets were
laid out, the present public square was set aside, and lots were offered
for sale at $30 and upwards. On lot 28 Mr. Miller built a warehouse,
and across the street on the same side of the canal James P. Bartle
368 LANDMARKS OF
erected and opened a store under the firm name of Bartle, Morton & Co.
Benjamin H. Kipp put of houses on lots L5 and -l', and Vincent G. Bar-
ney built and opened a tavern on the site of Perkins & Peirson's bank.
Dr. Richard P. Williams moved in and erected a house on the east side
of Main street, afterward the residence of Dr. Charles G. Pomeroy.
I )rs. Button and Terry were also early physicians. The first lawyer
was George W. Scott, a bachelor, in 1825. The first marriage in the
village was that of Joseph Miller, jr., and Louisa Fletcher, and Allen
Miller was the first child born in the place. For this couple Joseph
Miller, jr. , built a house on the west side of Main street opposite his own .
The first tavern was that of Vincent G. Barney, which stood on the
corner of Canal and Main streets. It was two stories high and was
subsequently called the Eagle Hotel, and among its other early landlords
were Jacob Wright and a Mr. Hutchinson. North of the canal was a
tavern kept by Caleb Tibbetts, among whose successors were Messrs.
Terry, Porter, James Kent, Andrew Vanderhoof, Hiram Rockefellow,
and Colwell, in whose possession it burned. A Mr. Langley had another
near the east canal bridge that was burned in 1828 and rebuilt. There
was also the Temperance House, which was kept by Dr. Nichols. The
Newark Hotel was built by Joseph Chipps, and next to it stands the
Gillson House. At East Newark (then Loekville) a tavern was erected
and in 1827 kept by Abner Bannister.
Besides Bartle, Morton & Co., previously mentioned, Philip Lusk
was an early merchant; he also had an ashery on the old school house
lot, and in a building erected for a chair factory Rockwell Stone
made potash and kept a store, being succeeded by Albert F. Cressy,
who was the first hardware merchant. James Blakely was the second
hardware dealer, and later came the firm of Cronise & Co. Esbon and
Ransom Blackmar were early store keepers and also did an extensive
business shipping grain. Bartle, Morton & Co. were succeeded by
James G. Ford and E. T. Grant. The first meat vendor was a Mr.
Filkins, the first jeweler a Mr. Hotchkiss, and the first milliner Mrs.
Electa Partridge. Luther Hutchinson opened the first livery stable in
1827 and ran a line of stages and carried the mail to Geneva. The first
blacksmith was James T. Kipp, and another early one was Roger Ben-
ton, a Methodist preacher, whose smithy stood near the subsequent
residence of his son John W. John P. Groat was a blacksmith at what
was called Groat's Corners, near Philip Lusk's store. One of the
earliest carpenters was Peter P. Coher. John Daggett early began
WAYNE COUNTY. 369
manufacturing carding machines in a little shop standing south of the
M. E. Church, on Main street. He sold out, built a furnace, and
prosecuted a large business. During the war he went South, returned,
and died, and his furnace was converted into an agricultural imple-
ment works, by Samuel R. Tracey. Another furnace was early con-
ducted by the sons of Philip Lusk, a little west of Newark Hotel. J.
B. Gardenier, a carpenter by trade, purchased early the old Eagle
furnace on Union street, a livery stable, and the Newark Hotel of Mr.
Chipps, the builder. He carried on quite an extensive business, but
finally sold out and bought several canal boats, and in 1880 the Union
Hotel. He died in April,- 1801. Vaughn & Mandeville built a furnace
and machine shop at Groat's Corners, and were succeeded by Wilber &
Son, and they by Joseph Wilber.
The advertisers in the Newark ^Egis of December 1, 1839, were L.
L. Rose & Co., W. K. Powers, Alfred Scribner, Doane & Partridge,
Hudson & Button (assignees), dry goods and groceries; A. S. Lovejoy,
watches and jewelry; Roger, Danieldson & Co., drugs, dry goods, and
groceries; A. F. Cressy, hardware; Milo Galloway, manufacturer of
water-wheels; Mills & Barse, steam saw mill; Miss Ruth Parsons,
millinery and mantua making; C. L. Norton, dentist; Miles & Sickles,
tailors; Newark House, S. Nichols, proprietor; Ford & Grant, dry
dry goods, groceries, crockery, and hardware; E, Miles, jr., dry goods,
clothing, and furs, also "black, blue, drab, diagonal, rib, block, fancy
stripe, zigzag, snakeskin, and thunder and lightning cassimers from
$1.50 to $5;" B. Greene & Co., cabinet and chair factory and steam
saw mill; M. H. Tuttle, drugs; Samuel R. Tracey, carriage shop;
Maline Miller, boot, shoe, and leather store; Mrs. Fanning, millinery
and dressmaking; Ballard & Shaver, boots and shoes ; H. L. Fisk, in-
surance; A. W. Marsh, physician and surgeon; S. G. & H. Rogers,
grist mill; Drs. Coventry & Lewis, medicine and surgery; Eleazer
Mighells, carding and . cloth dressing ; Middleton & Culver, lawyers ;
William Payne, livery; Bartle & Bronnon, lumber; Erastus O. Pond,
machine shop and furnace; Mr. Peck, "Newark Select School"; P.
Dawley, "Arcadia village school under his tuition."
Added to the foregoing the following are known to have been in
business prior to 1845: W. Kenyon, O. H. Allerton, E. B. Doane & Co.,
Gray, Bill & Co., A. G. Danieldson, A. T. & H. Blackmar, J. S.
Crosby, D. B. Blakely, J. G. Soverhill, A. Anson, Willis Brownell
(blacksmith), Dr. C. S. Button, Dr. E. H. Rockwood, and Dr. Philip
47
370 LANDMARKS OF
L. Jones. The first brick building was erected by Esbon Blackmar in
L836 and finally became the residence of Orrin Blackmar. The first
brick block was built about the same time by Eleazer Mighells and
John Church. About 1847 the park was graded and planted to shade
trees.
March 9, 1824, a library was organized "at Barnes's Hotel" with
James P. Bartle, Joseph A. Miller, Richard P. William, John S. Keep,
Cyrus S. Button, Artemus Doane, and Joseph Miller, as trustees. A
respectable collection of books was secured and circulated for several
years, and when the society dissolved they were transferred to the
Union school library.
At East Newark there were two tanneries, long since abandoned,
and a shoe shop and tannery formerly operated by Brown, Doolittle &
Baldwin. Gibson & Jessup had an agricultural machine shop that was
burned in 1837 and rebuilt. Their specialty was threshing machines.
Of the earlier merchants were Jesse Owen & Co., L. L. Rose & Co.,
and L. N. Straw. The locks on the canal at this point early gave the
place the name of Lockville. Grorge H. Price has a dry clock there.
The opening of the New York Central Railroad, with a station on
the northernmost limits of Newark village, nearly a mile from the busi-
ness center, developed settlement in that locality and led to several
business interests. Hotels were erected by Gideon Lewis and Thomas
Langdon and a third is kept by Sylvester Sandford. A feed mill was
built in 1890 by C. A. Stebbins and is now operated by the Reeves
Milling Company, of which J. Dupha Reeves is general manager.
The firm also operate a flouring mill a mile northeast of the station on
the site of the pioneer mill erected by Mr. Reeves's grandfather, Paul
Reeves. The latter sold out in 1814, built a mill in Williamson, and
died there. Stores are kept by J. A. Sanford and P. G. Lewis, a
warehouse by C. H. Perkins & Co., and a large vinegar establishment
by the Duffy, Mountfort & Greene Cider Company. The depot here
was burned in January, 1894, and rebuilt.
James P. Bartle was the first postmaster in Newark, and had his
office on the corner of Main and Canal streets. His successors were
Dr. Williams, E. T. Grant, Theodore Menson, Daniel Rusk, R. Lord,
Hiram Clark, Elias W. Ford, Joel H. Prescott, Clark Phillips, W. L.
Willctt, A. D. Smith, W. H. Nicholoy, and Mitchell Chadwick, the
present incumbent. March 15, 1893, a free delivery system was estab-
lished, and js the only one in Wayne county. Two mail carriers are
WAYNE COUNTY. 371
employed. The posmaster at Arcadia (East Newark) is William Tl.
Spragaie, who succeeded John Dillenbeck. It is said that the estab-
lishment of the Arcadia office was due to the representation that an
" impassable hill " existed between that part of the village and Newark
post-office.
Among- the several handsome brick or stone blocks in Newark are
the wStever block, erected in 1875; the Blackmar and Herrick blocks,
built in 1878; the Frey block, in 1877; the Stuerwald block, in 1883;
the Sherman Opera House and block, which was formally opened in
November, 1885; and the Brewer block, erected in 1893.
Newark village was incorporated July 21, 1853, but the first election
was not held until January 24, 1854, at the Newark Hotel, then kept by
Andrew Vanderhoof, at which seventy-seven votes were polled and the
following officers chosen; John P. Sahlor, James W. Perrington, James
D. Ford, John Daggett, and George H. Middleton, trustees; Stephen
Culver, clerk; Fletcher Williams, treasurer; Henry Lusk, collector;
David Lamereaux, Charles Ten Brook, and Albert F. Cressey, assessors ;
John Haight, Hiram Betts, and Samuel R. Tracy, street commission-
ers. The first charter election was held March 8, 1854, and the follow-
ing were elected: John Daggett, George H. Middleton, John P.
Sahlor, James D. Ford, and Jesse Owen, trustees; Stephen Culver,
clerk; Fletcher Williams, treasurer; Peter, Kipp, collector; David
Lamereaux, Jolon Taylor, and E. Darwin Smith, assessors; John
Haight, Benjamin F. Wright, and Thomas Palmer street commission-
ers ; Willis Brownell and Lawrence Hackett, poundmasters. The village
was divided into three wards and street districts, and March 23, 1855,
suitable ordinances were adopted. In 1868 a lock-up was built, in 1887
the corporate limits were enlarged, and in 1893 a number of sewers
were constructed as an extension of the system. The presidents of
the village have been :
John Daggett, 1854-56, Harrison Van Auken, 1869.
H. L. Mundy, 1857, Oliver Crothers, 1870,
Joel H. Prescott, 1858, Charles W. Stuart, 1871,
Durfee A. Sherman, 1859, Richard H. Palmer, 1872,
James G. Granger, 1860. Jacob Lusk, 1873,
I. K. Chipps, 1861, David F. Wilcox, 1874,
John W. Benton, 1862-63, Oliver Crothers, 1875,
A. O. Lamereaux, 1864, John E. Stuart, 1876,
John S. Cronise, 1865-66, David F. Wilcox, 1877-78,
Meade Allerton, 1867, Charles S. White, 1879,
A. C. Bartle, 1868, Charles W. Stuart, 1880,
3?'2 LANDMARKS OF
Wilbur F. Nutten, 1881, Moses F. Hamm, 1887,
James H. Miller, 1882, Newell E. Landon, 1888,
Frederick M. Allerton, 1883, Hanson A. Gardner, 1889-91.
Henry J. Peirson, 1884, Thomas Whittleton, 1892,
Emor E. Burleigh, 1885, Augustus A. Young, 1893,
John Stuerwald, 1886, John E. Stuart, 1894.
The village officers for 1804 are: John E. Stuart, president; William
T. Peirson, Nathaniel Cook, J. B. McDermott, Alois Seigrist, William
H. Keller, and C. A. Tator, trustees; E. Fred Cowles, clerk; P. R.
Sleight, treasurer; M. W. Plass, collector; H. R. Drake, Thomas K.
Langdon and A. H. Vanderbilt, assessors; George Wright and William
J. Lawrence, street commissioners; Henry L. Rupert, attorney; Will-
iam Jenkins, chief of police.
August 8, 1835, twenty men were appointed to form a fire company
and man the fire engine owned by the town, but nine of these declined
to serve, and on September 14 nine more were chosen. Junel, 1859,
Newark Engine Company No. 1 was organized with fifty members,
and with these officers: Clark Mason, foreman; Ira Pratt, assistant
foreman; Joel H. Prescott, treasurer; A. I. Bristol, secretary; Arcadia
Fire Company, No. 2, was formed at the same date with William E.
Olds, foreman; William G. Daggett, assistant foreman; Myron Owen,
secretary; T. F. Horton, treasurer; and forty-three firemen. John
Matteson was appointed fire warden. March 29, 1859, two fire engines
had been purchased at a cost of $350 each, and Messrs. Sherman and
Kemper were appointed a committee to purchase hose, hooks, and
ladders as accompanying apparatus. The village appropriated $300
for engine houses and E. T. Grant and Morton Kemper were appointed v
a building committee; they obtained a five years' lease of Ganargwa
Hall. June IT, 18G2, a hook and ladder company was formed with
thirty members and with Gideon L. Bennett as foreman. In 18G2 and
1st,:; incendiary fires endangered property to such an extent that the
village offered a reward of $500 for the apprehension of the criminals.
Jul}' 2, 1879, two Babcock extinguishers were purchased for $050, and
in L886 Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, was organized
with fourteen members. In January, L888, the N. Y. C. Hook and
Ladder Company was formed.
In 1864 Joel H. Prescott was chief engineer of the fire department
with James D. Ford and John L. Mills as assistants. Among Mr.
Prescott's successors have been Charles H. Perkins in 1868, John S.
Cronise in IS72, Edwin K. Burns in 1874, J. Stuerwald in 1875, M. J.
WAYNE COUNTY. 373
Flynn in 1888, Thomas J. Jenkins in 1889, E. M. Hooper in L890, Will-
iam T. Peirson in 1891, and E. B. Elliot in 1892. The present chief is
P. E. Nellis; George Crater, first assistant; William G. Schufelt, sec-
ond assistant. The department now consists of Protective Extin-
guisher Company No. 1, Deluge Hose Compan}7 No. 1, Excelsior Hook
and Ladder Company, No. 1, and New York Central Hose Company
No. 1.
January 22, 1886, the first steps were inaugurated to construct a vil-
lage water supply system, but the matter was held in abeyance until
April 18, 1887, when a franchise was granted an out of town company,
which erected a stand pipe on Asylum hill and placed the present
works in operation in January, 1888. April 18, 1887, a franchise was
nlso granted to construct and maintain an electric light plant, but this
was subsequently revoked and another granted to the Newark Electric
Light and Power Company, Ltd., on December 21. May 23, 1889, a
permanent contract was signed for the maintenance of forty arc street
lamps, which number has since been increased to fifty-two. H. A.
Gardner is the local superintendent of both concerns.
The First National Bank of Newark is derived from the old Bank of
Newark, an individual enterprise, originating at Palmyra as the Palmyra
Bank. It was moved to Newark by Fletcher Williams, the veteran
banker, and with himself as president, and Lambert McCain as cashier,
business was commenced in the store of Rockwell Stone, north of the
canal. The building now in use, on the west side of Main street, was
leased for a time, and on expiration of the lease was purchased The
bank was organized in March, 1864, with the following Board of Direc-
tors: Fletcher Williams, A. Ford Williams, Joseph A. Miller, EliabT.
Grant, jr. , Samuel S. Morley, and Anna D. Williams. Fletcher Williams
was chosen president and has ever since served in that capacity. A.
Ford Williams was cashier till June 6, 1865, when he was succeeded by
E. T. Grant, jr., who resigned April 1, 1869, and was followed by Byron
Thomas. Mr. Thomas subsequently resigned and was in turn succeeded
by E. T. Grant, the present cashier. Mrs. Sarah H. Williams is vice-
president and Miss Lillian Eggleston is assistant cashier. The capital
is $50,000. The present directors are: Fletcher Williams Mrs. Sarah
H. Williams, Joel H. Prescott, Byron Thomas and E. T. Grant.
Peirson & Perkins's private bank was started by S. S. Peirson, and E.
P. Soverhill in October, 1866. In December, 1S67, the latter sold his
interest to Henry R. Peirson and five years later C. H. Perkins relin-
374 LANDMARKS OF
quished his law practice and bought out the last named partners.
Besides a general hanking business the firm deals extensively in produce,
etc.
Vary & Sleight started their private bank in 1887 and have occupied
the present quarters since 180'.'.
The New York State Custodial Asylum for Feeble-Minded Women. —
The history of the Custodial Asylum dates from 1878, when, as a result
of the efforts of the State Board of Charities "to establish a custodial
institution for unteachable idiots and feeble-minded persons," the Leg-
islature made provisions to open a department for feeble-minded gins
and young women, under the direction and control of the Trustees of
the New York Asylum for Idiots at Syracuse. The institution was
opened September 3, 1878, as a branch of the New York Asylum for
Idiots, with two inmates, the late C. C. Warner as superintendent, and
his wife as matron. The sum of $18,000 was appropriated for the pur-
pose, and before November a building had been rented and twenty-seven
inmates received. This building forms the middle one of the present
group facing the north, and was originally built for a theological insti-
tute. In 1881 the usefulness of the asylum had become so marked and
well recognized by State and county officials that a committee was ap-
pointed, consisting of the comptroller, superintendent of public instruc-
tion, and trustees of the Idiot Asylum, to determine whether the prop-
erty should be purchased or the lease continued. They recommended
that the institution be permanently established. In 1881 Hon. S. S.
Peirson and in 1885 Hon. E. K. Burnham represented the district in the
Assembly, and it is due to their untiring efforts that a bill was passed
May 14, 1885, incorporating and permanently establishing the New York
State Custodial Asylum at its present commanding location in the village
of Newark. Ever since the institution was first projected Mr. Burnham
has been one of its most ardent supporters and benefactors.
The first board of trustees appointed by Governor David B. Hill
consisted of Hon. David Decker, of Elmira; Rev. M. S. Hard, then of
Canandaigua; Darwin Colvin, M.D., of Clyde; Mrs. Lucy W. Butler,
of Syracuse: Mrs. Lucien Yeomans,of Walworth; Mrs. E. C. Perkins, of
Newark; Charles G. Pomeroy, M. D., of Newark; S. N. Gallup, of
Macedon; and S. S. Peirson, of Newark.
The new board met at the asylum June 5, 1885, and organized with
S. S. Peirson, president; Rev. M. S. Hard, secretary; and S.N. Gallup,
treasurer. . C. C. Warner and his wife were retained as superintendent
& 9?.' (oLi^It
€Z>'m
WAYNE COUNTY 375
and matron. They resigned in March, 1886, and were succeeded by
Mr. and Mrs. W. Landon Willett, who gave place to the present effi-
cient incumbents, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Winspear, July 5, 1893. Mrs.
Yeomans declined the appointment as trustee and Mrs. Helen B. Case,
of Rochester, was appointed to the position. In 1887 Dr. Pomeroy
died and his place was filled by Hon. E. K. Burnham. In 1886 the
east dormitory and boiler house were erected and steam fixtures put
in the main and east buildings. In 1888 the laundry was built, and in
1889 the west dormitory was completed. Charles Schuman & Co. were
the contractors and builders of all these structures and S. N. Keener
the architect, except the laundry. The chapel was finished and dedi-
cated June 10, 1890, at which time there were 310 inmates. The hos-
pital building, conveniently and pleasantly located at a little distance
from the principal group, was completed and occupied February 15,
1893, and the Legislature of that year appropriated $45,000 for main-
tenance, $10,000 for the erection of a cottage dormitory (the foundation
of which has been laid), and $3,000 for the disposal of sewerage.
The location of the Custodial Asylum is one of the most sightly and
healthful in Western New York. It commands an extensive view of
the surrounding country. The grounds, comprising a little more than
forty acres, are beautifully laid out under the supervision of C. H,
Perkins, and are planted with trees, shrubs, and flowers. They also
contain a well cultivated garden, which furnishes many of the vege-
tables used in the institution, and connected with the latter is a pro-
ductive greenhouse. Throughout, the buildings are well furnished,
comfortably heated and ventilated, and scrupulously clean. Most of
the work and the making of wearing apparel are performed by the
inmates.
According to the last annual report of the trustees, transmitted to
the Legislature January 17, 1894, the entire property of the Custodial
Asylum was valued at $154,445.99. The daily average population
during the year ending September 30, 1893, was 340; on that date the
whole number of inmates was 326; cost of maintenance, $46,475.72.
The present officers are as follows: Trustees,
Darwin Colvin, M.D., Clyde, Silas N. Gallup, Macedon,
Mrs. Eliza C. Perkins, Newark, Hon. Charles McLouth, Palmyra,
Hon. E, K. Burnham, Newark, Mrs. Gertrude A. Moss, Rochester,
Hon. Silas S. Peirson, Newark, Hon. Daniel Candee, Syracuse.
Mrs. Lucy W. Butler, Syracuse,
:'.7<i LANDMARKS OF
Officers cif the Board, — Hon. Silas S. Peirson, president; Hon. E. K. Rurnham,
secretary; Mrs. Eliza C. Perkins, treasurer.
Executive Committee. — Dr. Darwin Colvin, Hon. S. S. Peirson, Mrs* E. C. Perkins,
Hon. E. K. Burnham, Hon. Charles McLouth.
Resident Officers. — C. W. Winspear, superintendent; Mrs. Gertrude E. Winspear,
matron; M. Alice Brownell, M.D., physician; Miss Kate J. Rahill, assistant matron;
Miss Alice M. Burnett, teacher; Miss Gertrude Hoxie and Miss Amelia Sauter,
supervis< >rs.
The Wayne County Preserving Company was founded by Ezra A.
Edgett in 1856. Mr. Edgett was born in Freehold, N. Y. , November
1, 1828, and moved with his parents in 1835 to Camden, N. Y., where
he married Harriet Marvin in L856, when he came to Newark, where
he died in January, 1889. He was the pioneer in the canning business
in the State, and was very successful. The works were burned in IS] -J,
but were rebuilt and are owned by Mrs. Edgett and Hon. E. K. Bttrn-
ham. Besides this there are in the village the Reed Manufacturing
Company, capitalized at $30,000; the foundry and machine shop of
Thomas L. Hamer; the lumber and planing establishment of C. Conk-
lin and Stephen N. Keener and D. I. Garrison (Keener & Garrison) ; the
nurseries of Charles W. Stuart & Co. (started in 1852), and Jackson &
Peirson; the granite and marble works of Lynn Brothers, and others.
The population of Newark village in 1844 was about 1,800; in 1858 it
numbered 2,042; in L875 about 3,000; in 1880, 2,450; and in 1890, 2,824.
It is one of the most progressive villages of Western New York,
and in many respects ranks foremost among those of Wayne county. . A
spirit of enterprise and social advancement is manifest on every hand,
while the many attractive residences, handsome blocks, excellent
churches and schools, and flourishing industries attest general activity
and substantial prosperity.
Fairville is a post village north of the center of the town, five miles
from Newark and about a mile northwest from the station of the same
name on the Sodus Point & Southern Railroad. The original owner of
the site was Joseph P. Crandall, who built and opened a tavern there
many years ago. His son was a physician, and an earlier practitioner
was Dr. Nicholas. James Bennett operated a tannery for sometime,
and G E. Robinson early kept a store, while P. Fleck had a wagon
shop. The place contains two churches, a school house, one or two
stores, a hotel, blacksmith shop, mint still, and about 1 liO inhabitants.
The postmaster is Henry Brier.
Zurich -is, a postal hamlet and station on the Sodus Point & Southern
O^tz o/ tDedtadt
WAYNE COUNTY. 377
Railroad in the northeast corner of the town. The postmaster is John
McNamara, who succeeded C. S. Schufeldt.
Marbletown is a rural hamlet in the southeast part of Arcadia, on
Trout Run, and formerly contained a church, which was moved to
Newark.
Hydeville, a small settlement lying northwest of Newark, is chiefly
noted as the birthplace of what became the Rochester rappings and
spiritualism, as heretofore mentioned. It is now merely a cluster of
houses.
Churches. — The present town of Arcadia originally comprised a part
of the old Seneca Circuit of Methodism, which dates back to 1796, but
the first ministers that traversed our limits probably came in 1801, their
names being James and Josiah Wilkinson. Smith Weeks and John
Billings were the circuit riders of 1802-3, and Roger Benton (the black-
smith) and Sylvester Hill performed these duties in 1804-5. In 1805
Mr. Benton's health failed and in 1806 he settled permanently in Newark,
in which year the Lyons circuit was formed and his house became and
continued a regular appointment until 1815, when the first M. E. church
in town was erected on his farm on the site of the present Newark
cemetery, the frame being raised October 1, of that year, under the
circuit pastorship of Rev. Daniel Barnes. The edifice was dedicated
June 22, 1816, and the builders were: Roger Benton, Jeremiah Lusk,
the families of Luce and Stansell, Ezra Lambright, Henry Cronise, and
Messrs. Winters and Aldrich. The structure was used for about twelve
years, when it was converted into a dwelling and a second building
erected near the center of the village, among its builders being Roger
Benton, JohnL. Kipp, Joseph Miller, Henry Cronise, Minor Trowbridge,
L. Bostwick, William Stansell, Pinkham Crommett, and Oliver Morley.
In 1854, under the pastorship of Rev. J. K. Tuttle, the nucleus of the
present church was built on Main street and dedicated. At this time
Henry Cronise, Peter P. Kechor, Oliver Morley, John W. Benton, and
L. J. Benton were trustees. The edifice was remodeled and rededicated
February 1, 1888, by Charles N. Sims, D.D., LL.D., chancellor of
Syracuse University. The first parsonage was built on Mr. Benton's
farm in 1824. The society now has about 375 members under the pas-
toral charge of Rev. J. E. Allen.
The First Presbyterian Church, of Newark, was constituted at the
village school house on the 20th of April, 1825, by Revs. Francis
Pomeroy and H. P. Strong, with sixty-three numbers, of whom thirty-
48
378 LANDMARKS OF
seven were from the Presbyterian Church at East Palmyra. Peter
Cook and John G. Kanouse were the first elders. In November, L826,
•the first pastor, Rev. Alfred Campbell, was installed and served until
September, 1828, when Rev. Peter Kanouse took charge. Among his
successors prior to 1850 were Revs. James Boyle, Henry Snyder, J. K.
Ware, George W. Elliott, David Gushing, and G. R. H. Shumway
(for twenty-five 3^ears). The present pastor, Rev. A. Parke Burgess,
D. D., assumed charge in March, 1874. The first church edifice, a
wooden structure, was erected on the site of the present building in
L827; and to extinguish the indebtedness incurred by its construction
Elder Pliny Foster mortgaged his farm for $500. In 1852 this edifice
was replaced by another foundation, on which new walls were slowly
reared until June, 1853, when a conflagration reduced them to ashes.
Rebuilding was immediately commenced and the present structure was
completed at a cost of about $18,000, the basement being first occupied
January 1, 1854. In 1875 it was enlarged at an expense of $12,000. A
Sunday school was organized by members of this denomination in
Newark as early as 1814. The society has about 450 members.
The Christian Church of Newark was organized at Marbletown in
1834, and reorganized June 4, 1836, from which date until 1845, Elders
E. M. Galloway and Benjamin Bailey served as pastors. They were
followed by Revs. J. C. Burgdurf, S. D. Burdzell, A. S. Langdon, W,
T. Canton, G. H. Hibbard, J. C. Burgdurf again, S. B. Bowdish, L.
Coffin, Irving Bullock, O. T. Wyman, D. W. Moore, and the present
incumbent, Rev. J. W. Wilson, who is also superintendent of the Sun-
day school. The Marbletown society finally disbanded, and in 1864
their edifice was taken down and the material brought to Newark.
where it was used in the construction of the German Methodist Church
on Miller street. A new church society was organized in Newark vil-
lage and a house of worship built on the south side of Miller street at a
cost of aboiit $5,000. The present membership numbers about seventy-
five.
The Baptist Church of East Newark was organized as the Lockville
Baptist Church in July, 1834, with twenty-four members. The first
pastor was Rev. Moses Rowley. In 1836 a site was purchased, upon
which a brick edifice was erected at a cost of $2,500. When the name
of that part of Newark village became Arcadia the name of the church
was changed to correspond, and in December, 1864, when many of its
members united with a new society located at the more populous cen-
WAYNE COUNTY. 379
ter, the first named title was adopted. The division left sixty-three
members; in 18G9 the number was eighty. The pastors succeeding
Rev. Mr. Rowley were Revs. John Dudley, R. P. Lamb, Joseph Spoor,
David Bellamy, L. O. Grinnell, William Roney, vSidney Wilder, and
Joseph B. Vrooman, under whom the division occurred. The society
eventually went down and the property was sold to the Dutch Reform
Church.
The First Universalist Society of Newark was organized August 7,
1837, with forty-nine members. The same year a brick edifice was
erected at a cost of $5,000. The church was legally organized in May,
1842, by D. K. Lee, with twenty-one members, and the house of wor-
ship was used until January, 1871, when it was sold. That year the
present structure was built at an expense of $15,000, and dedicated
March 13, 1872, the first pastor officiating being Rev. George B. Stock-
ing. The pastors of the old church were Revs. Kneeland Townsend,
Henry Roberts, D. K. Lee, E. W. Locke, J. J. Austin, D. C. Tomlin-
son, C. A. Skinner, S. L. Rorapaugh, A. Kelsey, R. Fiske, L. C.
Brown, C. Fleuhrer, and W. B. Randolph. The society has about
sixty members under the pastoral care of Rev. James P. Curtis.
The Reformed Dutch Church of East Newark was organized prior to
1844, at which time Rev. William Turner was pastor, and in which
year it numbered thirty members. The society finally weakened and
disbanded, but a few years since was reorganized under the same name
as a missionary field belonging to the Classis of Rochester and in
charge of the Board of Missions of the Reformed Dutch Church of
America. The old brick Baptist Church was purchased, and in it both
English and Holland services are held regularly. Rev. Jacob Dyk is
pastor:elect. The society has about 100 members.
The German Evangelical Association Church of Newark was organ-
ized with twenty-seven members in 1845 by Rev. Philip Miller. Their
house of worship was erected on Miller street in 1864 and consecrated
by Rev. M. Fitzinger. The first pastor was Rev. M. Miller, and among
his earlier successors were Revs. Jacob Siegrist, Jacob L. Jacoby, M.
Lane, August Holzworth, and Charles Wissman. The present pastor
is Rev. Fred Lahmeyer and the society's membership numbers about
100.
St. Mark's Protestant Episcopal Church of Newark was legally
organized at the house of Esbon Blackmaron July 22, 1851, by Rev. Dr.
Bissell, of Geneva. The first officers were Thomas Davis and Ebe-
380 LANDMARKS OF
nezer Cress}-, wardens; Esbon Blackmar, Fletcher Williams, George
Perkins, David Mandeville, John Daggett, Clark Mason, A. W. Marsh,
and Joel H. Prescott, vestrymen. Episcopal services had been held in
Newark as early as 1830 by Rev. T. F. Ward well, of Lyons, and the
organization was made possible by the confirmation of a class by Bishop
De Lancey in the old M. E. Church. August 15, 1851, a contract was
let to George Perkins for a church edifice to cost $1,725, exclusive of
the spire, which was to be built by Fletcher Williams for $200. The
building and lot cost $3,174.27, the bell $300, and the organ, the gift
of the Ladies' Society, $450. The church was consecrated by Bishop
De Lancey on December 28, 1852; the building committee consisted of
Esbon Blackmar, Fletcher Williams, and Joel H. Prescott. Rev.
Charles W. Hayes was installed the first rector September 19, 1852,
organized a Sunday school October 3, with Joel H. Prescott as super-
intendent, and continued in charge until 1854, when Rev. Charles W.
Homer assumed charge. Under him the first Christmas tree in Newark
was uncovered at the rectory in 1855. Among his successors were
Revs. William O. Gorham, John H. Rowling, P. T. Babbitt, W. J.
Pigott, and John Leach. In 1876 a rectory was purchased for $3,000.
The parish has about eighty members with Rev. L. D. Van Dyke, D.
D., as rector.
The Roman Catholic Church of Newark was established with about
forty members in 1855, mainly through the efforts of Rev. Father Pur-
cell, who was followed by Fathers Clark, Lee, Charles, S. M. Rimmels,
and others. A frame edifice was built in 1855. The present pastor is
Rev. D. W. Kavanaugh, of Lyons.
The First Baptist Church of Newark was first a removal and after-
ward a reorganization r>i the society of this denomination in East
Newark, previously detailed. The removal occurred in 1864, and in
1865 a church edifice was built at a cost of several thousand dollars. It
stands on the south side of Miller street and was originally designated
"Hope Chapel." In December, 1874, the society was reorganized
under its present name, the first officers being Josiah Failing, Clark
Phillips, Marvin I. Greenwood, Jesse G. Pitts, William Fisk, and T.
Hunt, trustees; Clark Phillips, president; M. I. Greenwood, secretary;
William Fisk, treasurer. A parsonage was purchased for $1,700, and
the pastor at the time of reorganization was Rev. V. Wilson. The
society has about 190 members under the pastoral charge of Rev. F.
W. Kneeland.
WAYNE COUNTY. 381
The German Lutheran Church of East Newark was organized March
27, 1872. The original membership numbered twenty-seven, and the
first meetings were held in the Baptist Church by Rev. C. C. Manz, a
missionary, once in two weeks. The society has thirty five or forty
members with Rev. Robert T. Vosberg as pastor. The Sunday school
has an average attendance of forty scholars.
The Presbyterian Church of Fairville was constituted with eighteen
persons March 31, 1860. Rev. Mr. Gushing, of Newark, had preached
here in the school house and later in the M. E. Church, and was fol-
lowed in 1859 by Rev. Mr. Holcomb. July 20, 1860, John Aiken ex-
ecuted a deed of the present lot to Elon St. John, John Bockoven,
William H. Van Inwagen, Franklin Koffman, and Charles E. Crandall,
trustees, for $200. The building committee consisted of Elon St. John,
John Bockoven, Marvin Lee, William H. Van Inwagen, and Charles
E. Crandall. The contract was let August 24, 1861, to Elon St. John,
for $2,500, and the corner stone was laid by Rev. Mr. Holcomb on
October 2, 1861. The edifice was dedicated October 16, 1862, by Rev.
Charles Hawley, of Auburn. January 1, 1866, the church was legally
oganized by the Presbytery of Lyons with eighteen members, and with
William H. Smith and Henry West as ruling elders. The first pastor
was Rev. Mr. Young, the present incumbent being Rev. J. W. Low-
den. The society has about seventy members.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Fairville was organized at a
comparatively early date, and a house of worship erected in 1857. The
society has about seventy-five members and a Sunday school with an
average attendance of fifty scholars. The pastor is Rev. Joseph Max-
well.
382 LANDMARKS OF
CHAPTER XXV.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MARION.
This town was formed from Williamson on the 18th of April, 1825,
and originally was called " Winchester, " which name was changed to
Marion April 15, 1826. An interior township, nearly square, it lies
west from the center of Wayne county, and is bounded on the north by
Williamson, on the east by Sodus and Arcadia, on the south by Pal-
myra, and on the west by Walworth. Its area embraces 17,:591 acres.
Marion is one of the best farming towns in Wayne county. The sur-
face is broken into a succession of drift hills and ridges, intervened with
fruitful valleys, the whole being well adapted to agriculture. The soil
is a gravelly loam and drift, and in the northern part is largely under-
laid with a limestone formation. Drainage is afforded almost entirely
by Red Creek, which has its source near the north boundary, flows
southerly a little east of the center of the town, and passes into Pal-
myra, emptying in the Ganargwa near East Palmyra village. This stream
affords some good mill sites and has a number of small tributaries.
Near the village of Marion is a sulphur spring, which produces a con-
stant supply of water possessing valuable medicinal properties, but it
has never been much utilized for medical treatment.
In common with adjacent divisions of Wayne county this town was
originally covered with heavy timber which long gave profitable em-
ployment to the early settlers. Much of it was burned for the ashes,
but a considerable portion was converted into lumber, which brought
into existence a number of saw mills. All of these long ago disappeared.
The pioneers, as soon as land was cleared, devoted their efforts to raising
wheat and other grain, and until late years this branch of farming pre-
dominated. The growing of fruit, especially of apples, was also given
early attention, and during the last decade the culture of raspberries
has been extensively developed. A large number of the farms of the
present day support substantial dry-houses or evaporators.
The primitive log cabins of the first settlers were long since super-
seded by modern dwellings, which the present generation surround
WAYNE COUNTY. 383
with the comforts and luxuries of this age. Some of these are still oc-
cupied as homesteads, but the inevitable changes of time have placed
many in the hands of later comers. The older settlers, with few excep-
tions, have passed away; but scattered here and there over the town
are worthy descendants of those sturdy pioneers who endured the hard-
ships of frontier life, subdued the wilderness, established homes,
churches, and schools, and reared large families in the observances of
the laws of modern civilization.
Tradition says that early settlers here sought the hills in preference
to the more fertile valleys, and in consequence the first roads ran from
summit to summit without any definite course, except to avoid as far
as possible the wet low lands. The first highway through the town was
the old Geneva and Canandaigua road, which passed through Palmyra
and Marion to the upper corners ; this was what is now the thoroughfare
that runs northeasterly to East Williamson. The second road was an
enlargement of the Indian trail, or the " old post route," leading from
Canandaigua to Pultneyville, and continued northward from the Sodus
road from Marion upper corners. The Sodus road was laid out by Capt.
Charles Williamson in 1794. Considerable labor was expended in im-
proving these and other early highways, and in this direction the town
has constantly kept pace with the advancement in road making.
The town has never enjoyed the privileges of a railroad within its
borders. Its inhabitants have always depended upon the more primi-
tive means of transportation by teams, yet its productive soil, excellent
educational facilities and many natural advantages have placed it in
the front rank of interior civil divisions of the Empire State. Mails,
passengers, freight, etc., are still conveyed by stage, principally be-
tween Marion village and Palmyra. The nearest railroad stations are
East Palmyra on the New York Central on the south and Williamstown
on the R. W. and O. on the north.
The first annual town meeting of the town of Marion (then Winches-
ter) was held, pursuant to an act passed by the Legislature in 1824, at
the house of Daniel Wilcox, April 14, 1826, and the following officers
were elected: Seth Eddy, supervisor; Samuel Moore, town clerk:
Isaac R. Sanford, David Eddy, Thomas Lakey, assessors: Samuel Ball,
collector; Samuel Dellano and Joseph Caldwell, overseers of the poor;
Reuben Adams, jr., Peter Eddy, Benjamin Mason, highway commis-
sioners; Samuel Ball and Jeremiah Angell, constables; Joseph Cald-
well, Thomas Lakey, Samuel Moore, commissioners of common schools ;
384
LANDMARKS OF
[esse Mason, Homer Adams, James Smith, inspectorsof public schools;
Gideon Sherman, ponndkeeper. The town then had thirty-live road
districts and a pathmaster was subsequently appointed for each. Sam-
uel Moore was town clerk until 1832, when he was succeeded by Elisha
R. Wright. In 1850 a bounty of one shilling- each was offered for all
crows killed in town. The supervisors of Marion have been as fol-
lows:
Seth Eddy, 1826,
Jesse Mason, 1827,
Isaac R. Sanford, 1828,
Elias Durfee, 1829-33,
William R. Sanford, 1834,
Elias Durfee, 1835,
Marvin Rich, 1836,
Elias Durfee, 1837-38,
Seth Eddy, 1839-40,
Onion Archer, 1841-45,
Peter Boyce, 1846-47,
Nelson D. Young, 1848-49,
Oscar Howell, 1850-51,
Nelson D. Young, 1852-53,
Isaac A. Clark, 1854,
Elias Durfee, 1855-59,
Pardon Durfee, 1860-61,
Ira Lakey, 1862-63,
( h-ville Lewis, 1864-65,
Nelson D. Young, 1866-69,
Dwight Smith, 1870-72,
Charles Tremain, 1873,
Dwight Smith, 1874-75,
Nelson D. Young, 1876-78,
Henry R. Taber, 1879,
Chester F. Sweezy, 1880-82,
Henry R. Taber, 1883-86,
Seth B. Dean, 1887-88,
Henry R. Taber, 1889-92,
Henry C. Allen, 1893,
Henry R. Taber, 1894.
The town officers for 1894 are as follows: Henry R. Taber, super-
visor; Richard B. McOmber, town clerk; Myron J. Mersen, J. Smith
Crane, Jefferson Sherman, Harmon S. Potter, justices of the peace;
Sidney F. Durfee, Charles S. Pratt, George H. Lookup, Charles L. Tas-
sell, overseers of the poor; Isaac A. Johnson, commissioner of high-
ways; Horace A. Warner, collector.
The first settlement in this town was commenced by Henry Lovell
in 1795. He located on a farm now the south and west portions of
Marion village, and his log house stood on the lot more recently owned
by Buckley Newton. Mr. Lovell was a typical hunter and is said to
have killed thirty deer in one day. A child born to him in 1705 lived
but a few weeks; this was the first birth and the first death in town,
and his only neighbors at the time were Daniel Powell and wife, who
buried the babe on a knoll back of Lovell's house. Betsey Lovell, a
daughter of Henry, was the second white child born in the town. Mr.
Lovell finally removed to the west.
Daniel Powell, wife and eight children, came to Palmyra from Mass-
achusetts in 1794 and removed to Marion in 1795. He was a wealth}-
WAYNE COUNTY. 385
man for those days, endowed with extraordinary strength and endu-
rance, and eventually cleared over 500 acres in this town and William-
son. In Marion he took up a farm of 126 acres, which he partially
cleared, and sold it in 1816 to David Harding.
In 1705 David Sweezey came here with his family from New Jersey,
making the entire trip in light boats, which were carried from stream
to stream where necessary. He settled on a large farm in the south
part of the town, upon which he lived until his death. After being
owned by his heirs and others it ultimately came into the possession of
D. F. Luce. Another settler of this year was Samuel C. Caldwell, also
from New Jersey, who came hither by ox team and wagon. At his
death a son succeeded him on the homestead.
Elizabeth Howell and David Sherman were married in the winter of
1794-95, and this was the first marriage celebrated in the town. Miss
Howell came to Marion in the family of David Sweezey. Mr. Sher-
man, a native of Rhode Island, came from Washington county, N.Y. ,
to East Palmyra in 1791, but in the fall of that year returned east on
foot. The next winter he moved to East Palmyra with two yoke of
oxen, and early in 1796 came thence to this town, settling on 100 acres
of the Caldwell farm. This he soon sold to Samuel O. Caldwell. He
purchased and cleared another farm, upon which he died and upon
which he was succeeded by his son, Zepheniah, and the father of
Jefferson Sherman.
Samuel O. Caldwell is reputed to have drawn the first load of goods
from Canandaigua to Pultneyville for Capt. Charles Williamson, to
whom he was introduced as " a man who could drive two yoke of oxen
and a sled over logs two feet high." The trip was made in August in
six days, with the above named outfit. In 1795 nearly every settler in
this region was down with the fever and ague, and it is stated that Mr.
Caldwell went to mill near Geneva for them all. He subsequently
moved thither two families from Rhode Island and another from New
Jersey with his ox teams.
Deacon Joseph Caldwell was born in Marion September 24, 1799, and
died August 31, 1875. In 1829 he married Sarah Smith and had born
to him three children, of whom the only son, Samuel G., was a graduate
of Union College and of the Albany Law School, and became a banker
in Omaha, Neb. Amanda M., one of the daughters, married John S.
Rich, who settled in Marion village in 1851. Mr. Rich was assistant
census marshal in 1860, deputy marshal for the northern district of New
49
386 LANDMARKS OF
York for several years, a special agent of the treasury department, and
a life long Democrat. Deacon Caldwell was a graduate of the Univer-
sity of North Carolina, deacon in the Congregational church over fifty
years, a Republican in politics, and a leading agriculturist of the town
and county.
Robert Springer, a Rhode Islander, came to this town about 1796,
cleared a small plot, returned East, and the next year brought his
family to his frontier home. His sons were Isaac, Richard, Robert, jr.,
Samuel, and Israel.
William B. Cogswell, another Rhode Islander, settled early in Marion
and few years later took up a farm subsequently occupied by his son.
Reuben Adams and son, Reuben, were also settlers of this period.
Among the comers during the years 1797, 1798, 1799, and later, were
Luke Phelps and Harris Cooley, from Massachusetts; David and Will-
iam Harding, from Rhode Island; Micajah Harding, Seth, William and
David Eddy, John Harkness, from Massachusetts; Zadoc Huggins, Seth
Harris, from Rhode Island; John Case, Jesse Harding, David Mason,
Gideon Sherman, Zebina Crane, and Judge Marvin Rich. Luke Phelps
was the first supervisor of the town of Williamson, and his sons, Jared
and Ezra, became prominent in local affairs. Ezra was a surveyor and
ran many of the original lot lines, laid out most of the early roads, and
was for some time highway commissioner. His son, Deacon Ezra
Phelps, succeeded him on the homestead. David and William Harding
both died in town. Micajah Harding, prominent in civil and religious
affairs, raised a company of sharpshooters and served in the war of
1812. The three Eddys settled on what is called the Eddy ridge.
Seth Eddy was the first supervisor of Marion, the first deacon of the
Baptist church, and captain of a company of drafted men in the war of
1812. David Eddy became side judge. The children of John Hark-
ness were: Seth E., Roswell, Leverett, William, and Mrs. S. Miller.
Zadoc Huggins taught the first singing school, and John Case, a
Methodist, was the first preacher in town. Seth Harris met his death
by drowning in the lake. David Mason had three sons, John, Benja-
min, and Jesse. The latter was endowed with exceptional ability.
Zebina Crane, the father of Mrs. Daniel Dean, and the grandfather of
Zebina Crane, died here in 1820. Judge Marvin Rich was a very
prominent citizen and subsecpicntly moved to Rochester.
Prior to 1812 the following, among others, settled in Marion: Stephen
Sanford, from Rhode Island; Harvey Riley, father of Peleg, Hiram,
WAYNE COUNTY. :;*;
and Rescom Riley, and Mrs. Van Ostram ; William and Thomas Corry,
Rhode Islanders, from whom Corry Corners was named, where both of
them died; Stephen Vaughn, Julius Hutchinson, Joel Hall, William
Hadsell, and Abraham and Darius Pratt. Joel Hall and his sons, Joel,
jr., and Amasa, at that time married men, were the first comers to the
Hall settlement. Joel Hall, sr. , was endowed with unusual strength
and performed feats almost marvelous. He was the grandfather of
Warren, Joseph, Amasa, jr., and Lead Hall, residents of Marion, Wal-
worth, and Williamson.
In the winter of 1825 Richard Sweet built a canal boat at Marion
village, and in the spring drew it on ox sleds to Palmyra and launched
it ; the trip occupied two days.
Among other early settlers of Marion were Eliphalet Dean, father of
Daniel ; Elias Durfee, who built and operated a furnace for several
years; Eponitas Ketchum, Thomas Clark, who died on his homestead ;
John Smith, from New Jersey; James Center, who sold his farm to M.
L. Rogers in 1835; Philip Potter, a Rhode Islander, who died here
aged 92 ; and Thomas Young, who was succeeded on the homestead by
his son, Nelson D.
Marion Heslor, a native of this town and long a prominent business
man here, died in February, 1888. Delos Hutchins, equally as well
known, died in April following. James McDowell, also a prominent
citizen, died in September, 1892, aged forty-eight years. Earl Wilcox
was the eldest son of William and Ruth Wilcox, and was born in Pal-
myra March 30, 1794. He settled in Marion in 1827 and died here in
March, 1874, being at that time the oldest native of the town of Pal-
myra. He married Jane Stewart and had ten children, five of whom
survive him.
Hon. Jefferson Sherman was born in this town October 20, 1835, and
died on the homestead August 31, 1894. He was a very prominent
man, held several local offices of responsibility, and represented the
Second Assembly District of Wayne county in the State Legislature of
1879 and 1880.
Prominent among other citizens, sons of whom are descendants of
the pioneers already mentioned, are recalled the names of Dwight
Smith, Peter Boyce, Chester F. Sweezey, Henry R. Tabor (present
supervisor), Henry C. Allen, Seth B. Dean, Ira Lakey, Orville Lewis,
Buckley Newton, Allen Knapp, Daniel F. Luce, W. Cogswell, J. A.
Shaw, John Copping, Z. Howell, A. Turner, W. Lookup, T. M. Clark
388 LANDMARKS OF
(ex-county sheriff), Abel Clark (son of F. M.), Philo D. Green, Jere-
miah Angell, Isaac A. Clark, B. B. Adams, Henry Butler, L. Milliman,
Amasa Stanton, Everard White, C. H. Curtis, James Tassell, Sidney
Durfee, John and Jeremiah Clark (brothers of T. M.), R. K. Warner,
John and William Smith, Thomas S., jr., and Emery Potter, A. B.
Short, Horace M. Winslow, William C. Austin, H. R. Taber, D.
Henry Crane, Stephen Reeves, Charles Tremain, Salem W. Sweezey,
Conway W. Young-, Charles N. Stearns, Eugene H. Brewster, and
Jacob Baker. Numerous others are mentioned further on and in
Part II of this volume.
The first physician in town, and for many years the only practitioner
here was Dr. Seth Tucker, who located first a little northeast of the
upper corners in Marion village. He later moved to the farm upon
which C. H. Curtis subsequently settled.
The pioneer tavern was opened by a Widow Styles as early as 1800;
it stood on the lot in Marion village owned by Amasa Stanton. The
first grist mill was erected by Isaac Phillips in 1807, and Enoch Turner
opened the first store. The first blacksmith was Harkness Gifford.
From the first call of troops in the War of the Rebellion to the
close of that sanguinary conflict the town of Marion promptly and gen-
erously responded with many of her ablest citizens. A total of 186
men went from within her borders to fight the nation's battles. Out
of the depleted number that returned but few remain, and this little
band of heroic veterans is becoming smaller and smaller as death
claims them for the muster roll of eternity.
As previously noted, the first burial was made on the farm of Daniel
Powell. The second death was that of William Powell in 1800, the
third that of Anna Powell, and the fourth that of Mrs. Daniel Powell ;
all were interred in the same plot. The second burying ground was
opened at the upper corners in 1804; and the third was the present
cemetery in Marion village, the first person buried therein being Mrs.
Perry Davis. In 1853 the Marion Cemetery Association was incor-
porated and this plat was placed under the charge of that organization.
Five acres of land were subsequently purchased of William F. Burbank
and added, and about 1880 three and one-half acres were bought of
William C. Austin. A project is now (1894) on foot to erect a suitable
soldiers' monument on a lot in the cemetery set aside for the purpose.
The present (1894) officers are: John S. Rich, president; David Lown,
secretary; William G. Austin, treasurer; John S. Rich, David Lown,
WAYNE COUNTY.
389
William C. 'Austin, and William W. Burbank, executive committee ;
Presson Peer, Stephen Reeves, Washington Hathaway, Charles San-
ford, Allen Knapp, and the officers previously named, trustees.
The first school house in town was a log dwelling which stood in
Marion village on or near the lot now owned by C. C. Potter; the first
teacher in it was James Rogers, who was succeeded by Ebenezer
Ketchum. Then came Asahel Powers, the father of Daniel Powers,
of Rochester. The first school house erected for the purpose stood on
the Robinson farm, and was burned in 1814. Morrison Huggins
opened a select school about 1838, in the upper part of an old stone
school house in the village.
March 27, 1839, the old Marion Academy was incorporated and the
same year a building was erected for its use. The first principal was
Ornon Archer, who made it a success, but after his retirement the
school died out and the charter was abandoned in 1851.
The Marion Collegiate Institute was incorporated July 6, 1855, and
school opened that year with about ninety students in a room fitted up
over a hardware store. In 1856 the present commodious brick building-
was erected by subscription. It is forty-four feet square and three stories
high, and is supplied with a library and scientific apparatus. The first
board of trustees consisted of fourteen members, of whom Rev. J. W.
Osburn was president; Nelson D. Young, treasurer; and A. H. Dow,
secretary.
The presidents of the board have been:
Rev. J. W. Osburn, 1855,
Rev. Amasa Stanton, 1855,
Jacob Baker, 1857,
Charles Tremaine, 1872,
The principals have been as follows ;
I. N. Sawyer, 1855,
S. F. Holt, 1857,
C. H. Dann, 1857,
Rev. P. J. Williams, 1859,
A. S. Russell, M. D.,1861,
R. T. Spencer, 1862,
A. S. Russell, M. D., 1863,
G. H. Miner, 1863,
Thomas B. Lovell, 1864,
Rev. E. G. Cheeseman, 1870,
W. T. Mills, 1872,
Nelson D. Young, 1873,
Seth B. Dean, 1884,
William C. Austin, 1894.
Rev. W. H. Sloan, 1873,
J. Burns Frazer, 1874,
Edson Plaisted, 1877,
Congden, 1877,
D. Van Cruyningham, 1878,
.Charles E. Allen, 1879,
Herbert E. Mills, Ph. D.,1883,
F. W. Colgrove, D. D., 1884,
Merritt H. Richmond, 1889,
Elmer G. Frail, 1890,
Fenton C. Rowell, 1893,
W. C. Tifft, A. M., 1894-5.
390 LANDMARKS OF
The Board of Trustees for 1894-94 consists of William C. Austin,
Marion, president; Stephen Reeves, Marion, recording secretary; Rev.
Samuel P. Merrill, Rochester, corresponding secretary; Horace M.
Winslow, Marion, treasurer; Salem W. Sweezey, Marion; Myron H.
Adams, M. D., Rochester; Eugene A. Brewster, Palmyra; Melville
M. Eddy, Williamson ; I). Henry Crane, Marion ; Rev. Cyrus W. Mer-
rill, Johnstown; Charles N. Stearns, Marion; Charles Tremaine,
Marion; Conway W. Young, Marion. Executive Committee, Eugene
H. Brewster, Seth B. Dean, and Conway W. Young.
The alumni since 1854 aggregates 160 graduates. When the present
school building was completed a debt of about $0,000 hung over it; a
proposition was made by the trustees of the institute which gave to the
church that would voluntarily assume the indebtedness the sectarian
control of the institution forever. The Baptist Church of Marion came
forward, raised the necessary money, and has since had the spiritual di-
rection and fostering care.
The town has thirteen school districts with school houses, which are
taught by fourteen teachers and attended by about 550 pupils. In
L892-93, the school buildings and sites were valued at $11,050; assessed
valuations of districts, $1,349,000; money received from the State,
$1,747.03; raised by local tax, $3,097.70.
In 1858 there were in Marion 14,302 acres improved land; real estate
valued at $488,585, and personal property, $71,012; 985 male and 952
female inhabitants; 382 dwellings ; 419 families; 366 freeholders; thir-
teen school districts and 756 school children; 840 horses; 1,084 oxen
and calves; 974 cows; 3,703 sheep; and 1,032 swine. That year there
were produced 12,473 bushels winter and 108,745 bushels spring wheat ;
2,684 tons hay: 15,740 bushels potatoes; 34,035 bushels apples; 90,550
pounds butter; 18,703 pounds cheese; and 592 yards domestic cloth.
In 1890 the town had a population of 2,144, or 44 more than in 1880.
In 1893, its 17,801 acres of land were assessed at $809,024 (equalized
$681,587); village and mill property, $169,500 (equalized $135,743);
personal property, $314,228. Schedule of taxes 1893: Contingent fund,
$663.55; town poor fund, $150; roads and bridges, $250; schools,
$1,035.29; county tax, $2,477.05; State tax, $1,304.9!); State insane tax,
$352. I 1 ; dog tax, $86. Total tax, $6,615. 19; rate per cent, .00511713.
The town has two election districts, and in 1893 polled 410 votes.
Marion Village.— This is the only village in the town of Marion.
It is situated south of the center of the town, on the west side of Red
WAYNE COUNTY 391
Creek and contains two "centers," locally known as the upper and lower
corners. Prior to 1810 the upper corners attained the greater impor-
tance of the two localities, and for several years thereafter it maintained
an equal competition. At the lower corners the first landed proprietors
were Daniel Lovell and Timothy Smith, whose successor in 1811 was
James Galloway. Timothy Smith erected the original of the present
hotel, one of whose long-time landlords was Samuel Todd, a major in
the War of 1812. Harris Cooley bought forty acres of land on the west
side of Main street and cleared it, and in front of the M. E. church he
stuck for a fence stake the huge willow tree which was cut down in 1880.
As early as 1800 a widow, Mrs. Styles, opened the first tavern in the
town and village on the lot owned by Amasa Stanton. It furnished
whisky to the early settlers; in this connection it is worth while to note
the fact that no licenses have been granted in the town for nearly fifty
years. Mrs. Styles was also a doctress and practiced the primitive
healing art along with her hotel business. The first gristmill, operated
by water power and having one run of stone, was erected by Isaac
Phillips in 1807. near the site of the present flouring mill. Rufus
Amsden early had a carding mill where the canning factory now stands.
Harkness Gifford carried on blacksmithing where Charles Jagger now
resides, and Judge Marvin Rich had a cabinet shop on the site of the
dwelling that was formerly used by Samuel Smith, blacksmith. The
first store was opened on the Isaac Morrison place by Enoch Turner,
who also had a tavern. A tavern and a distillery were conducted
by James Huggins where John Van Hee now lives. These various
industries flourished around the lower corners at a very early day and
constitute the foundation of the present thriving village.
In 1825 there were in operation here a grist mill, saw mill, distillery,
an ashery, blacksmith shop, post-office, the tavern of Daniel Wilcox, a
store kept by Archer Galloway, and a school ; there were four houses
on the west and seven on the east side of Main street.
The upper corners comprised a blacksmith shop, the cabinet shop of
Richard Bourne, the office of Dr. Seth Tucker, and about ten houses.
In 1831 a saw mill was built by James Wright and a Mr. Wing. It was
called an "ox-mill" from the fact that its power was obtained from a
tread wheel driven by oxen ; it stood on the site of the present ruins of
the old Cogswell saw mill.
Marion village now has two general stores, two hardware stores, two
drug stores, two groceries, two jewelry stores, two millinery shops, two
392 LANDMARKS OF
meat markets, one lawyer, three physicians, a newspaper and printing
office, one veterinary surgeon, a bakery, four wagon and blacksmith
shops, one hotel, five churches, the Marion Collegiate Institute, a fine
public school building, a grist mill, the foundry and machine shop of
Lewis Smith, a canning factory, a ladder and fruit evaporator manu-
factory, two undertakers, a mint stiil, and about 900 inhabitants. The
postmaster is J. E. Richmond. The grist mill was built by James Ran-
dall, who sold it to the present proprietor. The canning factory was
started in the old Curtis foundry and fanning mill manufactory in is!i:i
by the Wayne County Canning Company. H. K. White is the general
manager.
Ham, Center, in the northwest part of the town, formerly had a
post-office, but it was discontinued several years ago. It is now merely
a pleasant rural hamlet. The place took its name from Joel Hall and
his son Joel, jr., and Amasa, who settled there in 1810.
Churches. — The earliest religious services in town were held by
Rev. John Case, a Methodist. Elder Fairbanks, a Baptist, was proba-
bly the first of his denomination to preach here. Rev. vSeba Norton
began preaching in Marion in 1802, coming from Sodus every two
weeks.
The first Baptist Church of Marion was organized as the First Baptist
Church of Williamson, February \M>, 1804, by Rev. Seba Norton, with
the following constituent members: Reuben and Anna Adams, Luke
and Elizabeth Phelps, Micajah Harding, Robert and Rebecca Springer,
Betsey Sherman, Sally Teal, Elder Seba Norton and wife Margaret,
David and Abby Harding, Ezra and Phebc Phelps, Sally Harding,
Betsey Adams, David Foster, and Mchitable Adams. The first Lord's
Supper was celebrated March lo, Iso I, by fifteen communicants, and
until L829 meetings were held in the Mason school house. In that year
the society erected the first church edifice in town. It was of wood,
with galleries on three sides, and stood on the site of the present east
street about twenty-five rods from the corner. In L850 it was trans-
formed into a store and is still used and known as the Clark building.
In L 850 the present church was erected and dedicated November 25.
This was repaired and remodeled in L867 and rededicated November
L5, by Rev. T. S. Harrison. The society bought a parsonage at an
early day which they subsequently sold to Mrs. Case (whose daughter,
Mrs. Seeley, now owns it), when the present one was built. The pas-
tor is Rev. J. D. Merrill and the membersnip of the church is about
WAYNE COUNTY. 393
L70. The Sunday school of the church has an average attendance of
I to pupils with H. M. Winslow, superintendent. The property of the
church is valued at about $12,000.
The Presbyterian Church of Marion was organized as the Congrega-
tional Church of Williamson in November, 1808, by Revs. James
I lotehkiss and Oliver Ayer. In 1825, at the organization of the town, the
name was changed to the .Congregational Church of Marion. Subse-
quently it adopted the Presbyterian form of government and its pres-
ent designation. The names of the eight original members are Luke
Phelps, Timothy and Ruth Smith, David Swezey, Zadoc and Thankful
Huggins, and Samuel and Sarah Waters. Luke Phelps was the first
deacon. Their first house of worship, a frame structure, was erected
and dedicated in 1831, was repaired in 1850 and again in 1866, and is
still in use. The first regular pastor was Rev. H. R. Powell in 1820;
the present incumbent is Rev. Charles Ray. The whole number of
members since the organization is about 600; the present number is
seventy-one. Willard Pullman is superintendent of the Sunday school,
which was organized about 1827 ; its attendance now is from fifty to
seventy-five.
The Christian Church of Marion was organized November 1, 1820,
as the Church of God, by Rev. David Millard and Joseph Badger, with
forty-one members. In 1832 the first edifice, of stone, 36 by 40 feet,
was erected at the upper corners, and the first services were held in it by
Rev. Mr. Farley, September 16. Their present frame church, 40 by
60 feet, with a stone basement, was built in 1856 and dedicated in 1857
by Rev. John Ross. The value of the church property is $7,500. The
first pastor was Oliver True, who officiated until 1828; following him
have been Revs. Benjamin Farley, Joseph Bailey, E. M. Galloway, W.
T. Caton, Stephen Mosher, Amasa Stanton (from 1848 to 1866), Irving
BullocV(till 1879) Mr. Hammond, J. W. Lawton, J. W. Wilson, and E.
M. Harris since May, 1893. The society has 180 members. Their pres-
ent parsonage was built in 1892. The Sunday school has about 100
pupils under Richard B. McOmber, superintendent.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Marion was organized in
1845 by Rev. Porter McKinster, with twelve members, but the society
had no pastor or place of worship until 1854. In that year Rev. John
Dennis reorganized the church. Their frame edifice, 28 by 40 feet, was
erected in 1855 and dedicated in December; in 1878 it underwent ex-
tensive repairs, and the property, including a parsonage, is now valued
50
394 LANDMARKS OF
at about $4,500. The society has 100 members under the pastoral care
of Rev. E. H. King. The Sunday school, organized in 1854, has an
average attendance of sixty-five scholars.
The Reformed Church of Marion was formed in 1860 and legally organ-
ized with fifty-six members in 1870 by Rev. J. W. Warnshuis. In 1872
the present frame edifice, 40 by 72 feet, was built and dedicated. In
1871 Rev. J. W. Warnshuis was installed pastor and remained until
October, 1876. The present pastor is Rev. Peter Ihrman, who is also
superintendent of the Sunday school. The church has now about 300
members. Their frame parsonage was purchased of Charles L. Tassell
at a cost of $1,800.
CHAPTER XXVI.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF WALWORTH.
Walworth, lying in the middle of the towns which form the extreme
west border of Wayne county, was organized from Ontario on April 20,
1829. It is bounded on the north by Ontario, on the east by Marion,
on the south by Macedon, and on the west by Monroe county, and com-
prises an area of 20,425 acres. It received its name in honor of Gen.
Chancellor Walworth. With a surface of high, rolling upland, whose
ridges run almost parallel north and south, it is one of the most elevated
and picturesque parts of the county; from several points magnificent
scenery is visible in all the panoramic splendor of Mother Nature. The
deep valleys and .lofty hills, composed of a rich sandy loam, are very
fertile and easily cultivated, and to the industrious husbandman )deld
abundant crops of grain, hay, potatoes, fruit, etc. There are a number
of large orchards which, in favorable seasons, produce enormous
revenue. Drainage is afforded by several rivulets on the north and by
tributaries of Red Creek on the south. There is no water power in this
town.
The land was originally covered with a dense growth of timber con-
sisting principally of beech, maple, hemlock, ash, and basswood, all of
which has fallen before the pioneer's axe, and been superseded by broad
fields of civilized industry. The wild game of early times long ago dis-
WAYNE COUNTY. 395
appeared, and the pretty homes of the present generation are surrounded
only by domestic animals. Instead of the rude log cabins of our fore-
fathers now stand the handsome residences made possible by their early
toil and frugality ; the malarial fever and ague which afflicted them so
terribly, disappeared with the changing conditions of man and climate.
The town of Walworth has never enjoyed the commercial advantages
granted to nearly all her sister towns in Wayne county ; yet it has ever
maintained a degree of prominence that speaks well for the industry
and enterprise of the inhabitants, and which has. placed it in the front
rank of the minor civil divisions of this State. Lacking the rapid ship-
ping facilities afforded by rail and water, its rich soil and industrious
population tend to offset the absent means of transportation. Its near-
est railroad stations are Walworth and Macedon on the New York
Central on the south, and Ontario and Lakeside on R. W. & O. on the
north, all distant from three to four miles from the bounds of the town.
It has been impossible to obtain much accurate information concern-
ing the early town meetings and officers. Many of the names of
supervisors are noted a little further on, and many others are omitted
because of the incompleteness of the records.
The settlement of Walworth began in the southeast part of the town
at or near what is now Walworth village, and the first settlers were
Andrew, John, Samuel, and Daniel Millett, brothers, who came hither
with their families in 1799. Andrew became insane it is said from
brooding over the belief that the world would soon be without wood
and liung himself. Daniel subsequently removed to Ohio, where he
was mistaken for a bear one evening, and shot. The other two brothers
lived in Walworth until their death. A younger brother, Alexander,
came in soon after his brothers and settled near them.
Stephen and Daniel Douglass came from Connecticut in 1811 and
located at the four corners at Walworth, and from them the place was
known as "Douglass Corners" until 1825. Stephen erected the first
frame building in the town in 1805, on the end of a log dwelling, and
opened it as the pioneer tavern. Five years later the log part was torn
down and the frame part removed, and on the site he built a larger
hotel, which he conducted until his death in 1812. The structure is
now (1894) used by Frederick C. Robie as a barn, its occupation as a
hotel terminating in 1826. Stephen Douglass, in 1807, also erected the
first frame barn in town. He was finally drowned in the canal. His
daughter, Mrs. James Finley, is a resident of Walworth.
396 LANDMARKS OF
Capt. Gilbert Hinckley, a Rhode Islander, settled in the eastern part
of the town in 1803, and in 1836 removed to Ohio. In 1804 Dea. Gideon
Hackett and Jonathan and James Hill became settlers, as did also John,
I >avid, and Jerry Chamberlain, from Connecticut. The next year
Luther Fillmore located at Walworth village and subsequently was
elected to the Assembly; he died here in 1838.
Other settlers of this period was Joseph Howe, the first shoemaker,
and Nathaniel Holmes and Ira Howard, the pioneer carpenters. In
1806 the settlement was increased by the arrival of Jonathan Miller, his
wife, daughter, and three sons, and his aged father; and about this
time Sylvester and Harvey Lee settled at West Walworth.
Among other early settlers were John, Nathan, and Enos Palmer,
brothers, who became wealthy; Jonathan Boynton, from Berkshire,
Mass., subsequently a member of the Legislature; and Stephen Chase,
Ebenezer Trask, Abner Rawson, Joseph Randolph, Isaac Dawley,
Simeon Stebbins, Joseph Day, and William Childs, all of whom settled
in the southern part of the town. Thomas Carpenter, Levi Salisbury,
David Upton, a Mr. Hurley, Moses Padley, and Daniel Gould (a
Canadian) located in the central part of Walworth; and John, Asa,
William, and James Scott, brothers, and Peter Grover, in the western
part.
In February, 1807, Charles Finley came in from Connecticut with a
large family, of whom a child died on the way and a son, Reuben, died
here some years since. Another son, Lewis, resides in town. The latter
married May E. Quinby, and their son, Dr. Frank Finley, born here in
1859, died in Macedon May 6, 1893, after practicing medicine there
about three years.
Samuel Strickland, who died in the town some years ago, was born
in Connecticut in 1790. In 1798 his father removed to Redfield,
Oswego county, where he was the first settler, and built a saw and
grist mill on the Salmon River. Samuel came to Walworth in August,
1807, with his mother, and died here in 1845. He was a member of
the Free Will Baptist Church and served in the war of 1812 at Sodus
and on the Niagara frontier. He settled near the center of the town
as did also Samuel and Jedediah Smith, brothers. Samuel Smith
opened the first blacksmith shop in Walworth on land now owned by
Patrick Crowley's two sons, and finally went to Ontario, where he
manufactured iron from native ore.
Rowland Sackett, David Tiffany, David Foskett, and James Arnold
(z^U.
WAYNE COUNTY. 307
came into this town in 1808, and Joseph Strickland, a brother of Samuel,
became a settler in 1809. Capt. N. F. Strickland died in April, 1885.
About the year 1809 Thomas Kempshall removed hither from Roch-
ester and in 1815 erected, on the northeast corner at Walworth, the
first mercantile establishment in the town and village. Six years after-
ward he returned to Rochester and became a prominent miller.
James Benton, an idle, worthless fellow, presented himself to the
settlement about this time and followed the precarious life of a wander-
ing hunter. In the fall of 1809 he maliciously set fire to the wigwams
of the Indian village at Ridge.
Dr. Hurlburt Crittenden came here in 1804 and was the first physi-
cian in town, Gilmer Chase was a life-long resident of the town, and con-
spicuous in the Baptist Church. He died January 10, 1892. John
Craggs, whose widow owns the grist mill south of Walworth, just over
the line in Macedon, came here early in life and became the owner of
that mill about 1862. He was a mason and an active member of the
Baptist Church, died here August 1, 1889. Jacob and Asil Hossilton
settled in the western part of Walworth in 1812, and William Wylie lo-
cated at the east village in 1817. Jermain Andrew and J. Jay White
each served several years as supervisor. Daniel M. Smith, son of George,
was born in Farmington, N. Y., in 1803, married Elizabeth Herendeen
in 1824, and settled in Walworth in 1825. They were Quakers, and had
born to them six children.
The first death in the town was that of a man named Hopkins in 180G ;
soon afterward a Mr. Green was killed by a falling tree.
It is, of course, impracticable to note the arrival of all the settlers of
this town, but the foregoing covers most of those of early years who
were prominently instrumental in subduing the wilderness and laying
the foundations of present prosperity. Among the later generation,
many of whom are descendants of the sturdy pioneers, may be mentioned
the names of Hon. T. G. Yeomans (ex-member of Assembly), Daniel
Hoyt, Albert Yeomans, Lewis and Julian Finley, Orvis Potter (son of
Horace), Jerome Lawrence, C. P. Patterson, John Baker (a long-time
postmaster at Walworth), James W. Benton and his son (merchants),
Hon. Lucien T. Yeomans (member of Assembly in 1873), Frederick C.
Robie (town clerk), Richard Allison (the present supervisor), George
L. Lee (merchant), Frank Stoddard, Henry Dean (harness maker),
John Bennett (long a justice of the peace), and Peter Arnold. Nu-
merous others who are equally deserving of special mention are noticed
a little further on and also in Part II of this work.
398 LANDMARKS OF
In 1858 the town of Walworth had 15,859 acres of land improved:
real estate valued at $578,470; and a population of 991 males and 973
females. There were 390 dwellings and 34-7 freeholders. In 1890 its
population numbered 2, L95, a decrease since 1880 of 14:5. In 1893 the
real estate was assessed at $861,239 (equalized $765,522); personal
property $109,600; village and mill property $109,715 (equalized $121-,
234). Total valuation $1,080,554 (equalized $996,356); rate per cent.
.038646. The town has two election districts and in 1893 polled 346
votes.
During the war of the Rebellion the town responded nobly and
promptly to the various calls for troops, and sent to the front a total of
134 volunteers to fight the nation's battles. Of this number John Mur-
ray Hoagand Nelson F. Strickland, both of whom enlisted in Co. B, 9th
Artillery, were promoted captains.
The first school house in town was built near the site of the pres-
ent public school building in Walworth village in 1804. It was of logs
and was replaced in 1812 by the pioneer frame school house, in which
Louis McLouth was the first and only teacher, for it burned before the
first term was concluded. The next school house was a brick struct-
ure erected in 1815, half a mile north of the village, which was soon
afterward torn down and a frame building was put up west of Wal-
worth. The Walworth Academy was legally incorporated May 21,
1841, and a stone building was erected at a cost of $4,000. The first
principal was Prof. E. B. Walsworth, who opened the school in the fall
of that year. A new brick structure (the present school house) was
built in 1857 at an expense of $8,000. It is three stories high and with
slight repairs is still used for the academy. The old building was con-
verted into a dwelling and later into a hall, atid is now the meeting-
place of the local grange. The academy employs two teachers and is
comparatively well patronized. The present trustees are Hon. T. G.
Yeomans, Lucien T. Yeomans, Elon Yeomans, Warren Hall, Albert
Ycomans, Alonzo Crane, Lewis Finley, Jerome Lawrence, and Orvis
Potter.
The town now has eleven school districts, taught by as many teach-
ers, and attended during the school year of 1892-93 by 477 scholars.
The value of school buildings and sites is $6,950; assessed valuation of
the districts $1,1 32,000; public money received from the State $1,424. 95 ;
amount raised by local tax $1,688. Ml.
Nathan Palmer erected and operated the first saw mill in town about
WAYNE COUNTY. 399
is lo. It was situated on the little stream southwest of West Wal-
worth, and the dam which supplied the power caused such an overflow
on adjacent lands that the inhabitants, considering themselves wronged,
assembled one night and tore it down and burned the mill. Mr. Palmer
began a litigation and recovered damages and costs.
As early as 1803 the first burying ground was laid out a quarter of a
mile south of Walworth village on the present Stephen A. Tabor farm.
A second burial plat was selected in 1816, near the center of the town,
and is known as the Baker cemetery. To this nearly all the remains
originally interred in the pioneer graveyard were ultimately removed.
Another pretty cemetery is located on elevated ground a little south-
west from Walworth village.
Walworth Village. — Until 1825 this place was known as "Doug-
lass Corners," from the Douglass brothers, Stephen and Andrew, who
were among its first settlers. The former built here the first hotel and
Thomas Kempshall the pioneer store in town, which were the substan-
tial beginnings of the present pretty village. Two other early settlers
here were Andrew Millett and Luther Fillmore, the latter of whom be-
came prominent in public affairs. The post-office was established in
1823, with Henry Moore, postmaster; the present incumbent is Cope-
land Morse.
Among the various merchants who have carried on trade in the vil-
lage were Theron and Veniah Yeomans, on the site of F. C. Robie's
store, in an old building recently burned; Lewis Eddy, where is now
the Masonic hall; and Tucker & Sweeting, Benjamin Billings, Nathan
Lusk, Uriah Hoyt, a Mr. Richmond, Philip Lawrence, John Sebring,
and Edward Kent. The present hotel was erected by Hon. T. G. Yeo-
mans. Among the landlords was John Sweeney, whom many will re-
call with interesting recollections. The village now contains three
general stores, a jewelry store, hotel and livery, a millinery store, one
harness shop, a shoe store, a tin shop, two cooperages, two physicians,
an academy and public school, two churches, and a population of
about 450.
West Walworth. — The site of this village was originally settled and
improved by Joseph Howe in 1805, and from a few log houses and a
blacksmith shop it has steadily grown into a thriving rural hamlet
The first store was opened in 1835 by William Freeland in a building
subsequently occupied by S. L. Miller. The Johnson Brothers began
the manufacture of grain threshers here in 1838, but the business
400 LANDMARKS OF
proved unprofitable and it was soon abandoned. The post-office was
established and William D. Wylie was appointed postmaster in 1840.
The present occupant of the office is Thomas Payne. The village now
comprises two general stores, a hardware store, two blacksmith shops,
wagon shop, dry house and evaporator, a millinery store, two churches,
and about 150 inhabitants. Lee and Harvey Miller, brothers, were
prominent and long-time merchants, as also was Nathan Reed. West
Walworth in late years has been an important center for handling dried
fruit, which has proved a profitable business.
Lincoln. — Situated in the northwest part of the town, the little ham-
let of Lincoln affords the inhabitants there nearly all the advantages
and privileges that either of the above described villages could offer.
In 185:3 N. F. Strickland erected and started a mill here and in the fall
of that year a store building was put up and business opened. In 1866
Mr. Strickland obtained a post-office for the place and was appointed
the first postmaster. The hamlet now contains a store, a cheese factory,
wagon and blacksmith shops, two churches, and about a dozen dwell-
ings.
Churches. — From traditionary evidence gathered from old settlers,
it appears that a Presbyterian Society once flourished in the village of
Walworth, but definite data concerning its organization, existence, or
disappearance cannot now be obtained. On land now owned by T. G.
Yeomans there once stood a stone church edifice reputed to have been
used by this Presbyterian Society as a place of worship, but it was long
ago torn down and its history and the history of the society are veiled
in the misty past.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Walworth was the pioneer
religious organization of the town, and their first house of worship was
a primitive structure built three-fourths of a mile west from the village
prior to 1809. With rude slab seats, with an ancient elevated pulpit,
and with a gallery on three sides that was reached by a ladder, it housed
the little band of worshipers until 1815, when a union edifice with the
ownership vested in the Methodistswas erected in Walworth. Although
never formally dedicated, it was used as a meeting place until is;-.',
after which it was transformed into a dry house. February 27, 1826, the
society was legally organized with I. R. Sanford, Luther Fillmore,
Levi Leach, Thomas Brown, and A. H. Howland, trustees. The pres-
ent fine brick edifice was built under the pastorate of Rev. L. F. Cong-
don in L872,- and cost about $17,000. The society has 150 members,
WAYNE COUNTY. 401
Rev. John II. Stoody as pastor. The present frame parsonage south
of the church was built on the site of an old one, removed, in 1884, and
cost $1,400.
The Second Baptist Church of Walworth was organized by Rev. R.
Powell, on July 11, 1832, with the following constituent members: Dea-
con Bancroft, Dr. and Mrs. L. D. Ward, Miss Palmer, Deacon and So-
phia McLouth, Benjamin Mason and wife, Freeman Wood and wife,
Benjamin Wood and wife, R. Wood, Mrs. L. Burr, Mrs. Agnes Cran-
dall, Gideon Hackett and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, James Rice and
wife, Asil and Rhoda Hoyt, Lewis Potter and wife, and Barney Corey.
The union church was used for worship until 1834, when the present
stone edifice was erected and dedicated in September of that year. It
was repaired and re-dedicated in December, 1887, at a cost of some
$6,000. The society has about seventy members and is now supplied
by Walter B. McNinch, a student at Rochester. The Sunday school
was organized May 1, 1842, with Levi Hicks, superintendent.
The First Baptist church of West Walworth was organized with
fourteen members in 1815 by that active missionary of Western Newr
York, Rev. Jeremiah Irons. The first pastor was Rev. Daniel Palmer,
in 1816, and until 1832 meetings were held in the school house. In
that year their stone house of worship was built and dedicated January
8, 1833, by Rev. Mr. Palmer. It has since been extensively repaired.
The present pastor is Rev. R. P. Ingersoll. The first Sunday school
was organized in 1815 and had fifteen members.
The Evangelical Association (German Lutheran) of West Walworth
was organized with thirty members by Rev. David Fisher, in 1857, and
until 1866 held its meetings in private houses. In that year a stone
building formerly used for school purposes was purchased, repaired,
and dedicated in the fall. The Sunday school was formed in 1855,
with John Lotze superintendent. The society has about sixty mem-
bers, with Rev. A. Schlenk as pastor.
The Free Will Baptist church of Walworth, located at Lincoln, was
organized in 1816 by Rev. Thomas Lewis, with these members : David
Salisbury, Mrs. Robbins, Joseph Strickland and wife, James, Andrew,
and Pamelia Strickland, Ephraim Holbrook, and Sarah Lyon. Rev.
Mr. Lewis was installed the first pastor and a stone edifice was erected
near the center of the town in 1834 at a cost of about $2,000. It was
dedicated by Rev. D. M. L. Rollin, January 18, 1835. It was long
used for worship and for several years past has been occupied as a
51
402 LANDMARKS OF
dwelling. In L876 a frame church was built in Lincoln; since that
year the society has worshiped therein. Rev. A. D. Loomis is pastor.
The society's property is now valued at about $4, Odd.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Lincoln had its inception at a
meeting held at Lincoln hall by Rev. Charles Hermans. An organiza-
tion was perfected in 1872 by Rev. Mr. Benson, with twelve members,
and Rev. Mr. Hamlin became the first pastor. He was succeeded by
Rev. John Irons, under whom in 1874 their frame church was erected
at a cost of about $3,000. It was dedicated December 2, 1874, by Rev.
B. I. Ives. The society now has eighty members, under the pastoral
charge of Rev. William C. C. Cramer. The vSunday school was organ-
ized in 1872 with 100 scholars, under E. K. Boughton, superintendent.
CHAPTER XXVII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF ROSE.
The town of Rose was formed from the old town of Wolcott on the
5th of February, 1826, and embraces an area of 21,S4,.t->j acres. It lies
in the interior and east of the center of Wayne county, and is bounded
on the north by Huron, on the east by Butler, on the south by Galen,
and on the west by Lyons and Sodus. The largest stream is Thomas
Creek, which rises southeast of Rose Valley and flows northwesterly
th rough the village into Great Sodus Bay. The next of importance is
old Dusenbury Creek, locally known as Mudge Creek, rising in the
same locality and flowing northward through Huron into East Bay.
Other streams are Marsh and Black Creeks, both flowing south.
The surface is largely broken into drift hills, trending north and
south and intervened with beautiful valleys. The highest elevation in
town, lying near the Sherman farm, is 140 feet above Lake Ontario.
South of Rose Valley the land is very level. The soil consists of
gravelly loam occasionally mingled with clay, with black muck in the
swamps. It is exceedingly fertile, and yields abundant crops of apples,
grain, peppermint, onions, tobacco, raspberries, potatoes, etc. The
principal industry is agriculture. There are extensive ledges of lime-
stone that have been worked for burning and building purposes, and
WAYNE COUNTY. 403
at Glenmark the outcropping produces a very pretty waterfall. The
town was originally covered with a heavy growth of beech, hemlock,
maple, cedar, ash, and tamarack. Alfred S. Roe, in his " Rose
Neighborhood Sketches, " relates an interesting legend "of a button-
wood or sycamore, near Wayne Center, so large that a section of it was
used as a dwelling house after it had fallen down and proven to be
hollow. In fact, one of the stories of the late Simeon I. Barrett was
that of putting up at the Button wood tavern early in the century. The
late Hiram Church, of Wolcott, said that in 1808 three families, num-
bering fourteen persons, young and old, put up at this same inn for the
night and were well entertained. Osgood Church, his father, was one
of the guests. He also says this was on one of the Jeffers farms."
Clay is found in several places suitable for manufacturing brick and
tile. Most of the marsh land has been reclaimed by judicious ditching,
and the contrast between the town of three-quarters of a century ago
and the town of to-day is an interesting one. The primitive wilder-
ness, after years of arduous labor and continuous hardship, was converted
into productive fields, orchards, and gardens. The pioneers, with very
few exceptions, have passed away, leaving descendants and successors
to enjoy the fruits of their efforts. Rude log cabins long since gave
place to the comfortable frame dwellings, and the frontier school and
church have been succeeded by larger and better institutions. The
high moral standard of the earlier settlers permeates the communities
of the present generation, which ably maintains for their town the
prestige and importance that have always characterized it among simi-
lar divisions of the State.
The whole of the town of Rose, save the south three tiers of lots,
was originally included within Williamson's patent, as described in the
chapter devoted to Wolcott. This tract was surveyed 'into farm lots of
from twenty-five to 200 acres each. The three tiers above noted are
known as Annin's gore, and were laid off into eighty acre lots. Very
early in the century Hon. Robert S. Roe and Judge John Nichols,
natives of Virginia and brothers-in-law, purchased 4,000 acres of Will-
iamson's patent, extending from the gore to within three-quarters of a
mile of the Huron line and lying on either side of the Rose Valley road.
They were then residents of Geneva, and their purchase was called the
" Nicholas 4, 000-acre tract. " Mr. Nicholas was a congressman from
Virginia, a member of the New York State Senate, and judge of the
Ontario county court. Mr. Rose was an assemblyman and a congress-
404 LANDMARKS OF
man, and when this town was organized in 1826 it was decided to give
it his name; in recognition of the compliment he sent a "little Merino
lamb about the size of awoodchuck." The early settlers purchased
their lands of Osgood Church, of Wolcott, who was the resident sub-
agent for the Williamson patent from 1808 to 1813, after which the
business was transacted with the land office at Geneva. The sur-
veys and allotments were made by John Smith in 1805 and 1806.
Until 1873 communication was carried on by means of teams and
stages, but in that year the Lake Ontario Shore Railroad (now the R.,
W. & O.) was completed and opened through the north part of the
town with a station at North Rose. This added a new impetus to busi-
ness interests and established more convenient markets for the farmers'
produce. In 1841 the famous Sodus Canal was commenced through
the efforts of Gen. William H. Adams; it was to extend from the Clyde
River or Erie Canal via Rose Valley and near Glenmark to Sodus Bay.
All the mills along its line in this town were demolished and never re-
built. After the renewal of the charter in 1848 a large amount of
work was done and evidences still remain. In 1853 a railroad was pro-
jected from a point south of Clyde through that village and Rose Val-
ley to Sodus Bay; a survey was made, but the clashing of interests
caused an abandonment of the enterprise. In 1872 the measure was
revived, but without avail. Eron N. Thomas was treasurer of the
company and Mr. Thomas, Chauncey B. Collins, and Henry Graham
were among the directors.
The first regular roads were surveyed from May 10, 1810, to April 1,
1814, by Osgood Church. The first highway laid out was that leading
east from Stewart's Corners; the second was that from Rose Valley to
Clyde, surveyed June 29, 1810. The road from the Valley to Port
Glasgow was established March 20, 1811, and the one from Glenmark
to North Rose on April 1, 1814. The thoroughfare from Rose Valley
to Clyde was long a plank road maintained by a company incorporated
for the purpose; as such it was discontinued soon after 1877. In 1847
the town had forty-four road districts; at present the number is fifty-
one.
The first town meeting was held at the house of Charles Thomas in
Rose Valley, in April, 1826. Erasmus Fuller presided and the follow-
ing officers were chosen: Supervisor, Peter Valentine; town clerk,
David Smith ; assessors, James Colborn, Jeremiah Leland, Dorman
Munsell; collector, Thaddeus Collins, jr.; overseers of the poor, John
WAYNE COUNTY. 405
Skidmore and Aaron Shepard; commissioners of highways, Elizur
Flint, Robert Jeffers, William Lovejoy; commissioners of common
schools, Jacob Miller, James Colborn, Milburn Salisbury; inspectors of
common schools, Alpheus Collins, Peter Valentine, David Smith; con-
stables, Thaddeus Collins, jr., Lewis Leland; and twenty-two overseers
of highways.
The supervisors have been as follows:
Peter Valentine, 1826-29, Harvey Closs, 1857-58,
Philander Mitchell, 1830-32, Jackson Valentine, 1859-69,
Dorman Munsell, 1833, James M. Home, 1870-71,
Thaddeus Collins, sr., 1834, Charles S. Wright, 1872-73,
Ira Mirick, 1835, Jackson Valentine, 1874-75,
Peter Valentine, 1836-39, Joel S. Sheffield, 1876,
Dorman Munsell, 1840-41, William J. Glen, 1877,
Peter Valentine, 1842, S. Wesley Gage, 1878,
Eron N. Thomas, 1843, William J. Glen, 1879, (part)
Philander Mitchell, 1844-45, George Catchpole, remainder of
Elizar Flint, 1846, 1879,
Hiram Mirick, 1847, William H. Griswold, 1880-81,
Philander Mitchell, 1848-50, George Catchpole, 1882-84,
Eron N. Thomas, 1851, Samuel Gardner, 1885, (part)
Solomon Allen, 1852, E. Chester Ellinwood, remainder
Eron N. Thomas, 1853, of 1885 and 1886,
Thaddeus Collins, jr., 1854, George Catchpole, 1887-90,
Jackson Valentine, 1855, Merritt G. McKoon, 1891-93,
Philander Mitchell, 1856, Frank H. Closs, 1894.
The town officers for 1894 are: Frank H. Closs, supervisor; Joel S.
Sheffield town clerk, died Julyv30, 1894, and E. F. Houghton appointed;
T. B. Welch, S. W. Lake, R. C. Barless, F. E. Soper, justices of the
peace; Valorus Ellinwood, F. E. Henderson, Joel H. Putnam, assessors;
Seth C. Woodard, collector; Thomas J. Bradburn, highway commis-
sioner; Judson Chaddock and John A. Hetty, overseers of the poor.
March 3, 1885, an appropriation to not exceed $2,000 was voted for
the erection of a memorial town hall, which was built in Rose Valley in
1886. It is a frame structure, two stories high, and contains also the
rooms of the local G. A. R. Post.
The first settlements in Rose were made by Alpheus Harmon, Lott
Stewart, and Caleb Melvin in 1805. The latter was a brother of the
Jonathan Melvin, sr., so intimately identified with the beginnings of
Wolcott. In Osgood Church's old book of records relative to the sale
of lands on Williamson's patent are entries of 117 contracts, bearing
406 LANDMARKS OF
dates from June 16, 1808, to October 15, 1813, of which the following
come within the limits of this town :
Alpheus Harmon lot L69, 113 acres, and lot 170, 115 acres, at $3.50, June 21, 1808;
Pender Marsh, lot 205, HO acres, at 84, January 11, 1811; Epaphras Wolcott, lot 160,
101 acres, at $4, January 30, isn ; Seta Shepard, lot 197, 40 acres, at *4, April 1,
1811.; Daniel Lounsbury, lot , 206£ acres at $4, April 3, 1811 ; Jonathan Wilson,
lot 1 in, 50 acres, at $4, April 3, 1*11 ; John Wade, lot 185, 107 acres, at $4, April lfi,
isn; Asa and Silas Town, lots 212 and 213, 150 acres, at 84, November 11, 1811;
John Burns, lot 153, 108| acres, at $4.25, April 8, 1812; Abram Palmer, lot 140, 102
acres, at $4, April 22, 1812; Thomas Avery, lot 154, 103 acres, at $4.25, May 4, 1812;
Demarkus Holmes, lot 187, 101 acres, at $4.32, June 25, 1812; Noahdiah Gillett, lot
L32, 101 acres, at $4, < >ctober 2, 1812; Eh Wheeler, lot 188, Oil 1-2 acres, at $4, Novem-
ber L3, 1812; Jacob Ward, lot 140, 50 acres, at $4.25, November 14, 1812; Elijah How,
lot llii, 50 acres, at XI, November 18, 1812; Jonathan Wilson, lot 101, 31 acres, at
$4.25, December 29, 1812; Asahel Gillett, lot 155, 50 acres, at §4.25, March 10, 1813.
Caleb Melvin located about a mile south of Rose Valley in 1805; the
same year Alpheus Harmon settled in the northeast part of the town,
and Lott Stewart at Stewart's Corners, which took his name. Stewart
kept a tavern here, the first outside the village; it stood where is now
the home of George Stewart. Mr. Stewart married for his second wife
a daughter of Alpheus Harmon, by whom he had one son (Allen) and
five daughters; his first wife bore him a son (James) and two daugh-
ters. Mr. Harmon sold out to A. F. Baird and removed to Cattarau-
gus county, whither also Stewart went and died. Soon afterward came
Joel Bishop and his sons, Seth, Joel, jr., and Chauncey; they located
on the Port Glasgow road. Near them Oliver and Seth Whitmore and
Simeon Van Auken became residents, and among others of about this
period were James and Jeremiah Leland, Milburn Salisbury, and
Asahel, Hosea, and Harvey Gillett.
About L810 Alpheus and Thaddeus Collins, jr., came in and two
years later were joined by their father, Thaddeus, sr., and the re-
mainder of his family. They purchased 400 acres, including a part of
the village of Rose Valley. Capt. John Sherman located at the Valley
in 1S1 1 and built and opened an inn. He had originally settled on the
Ganargwa Creek, but soon removed to Galen, whence he came here,
being accompanied by his sons, Elias D., Charles B., and John, jr. In
lsP2 Elijah How located two miles northwest of Rose Valley and
Aaron Shepard, a blacksmith, the same distance east. Alfred, Lyman,
loci, and John Lee, brothers, settled in town about this year.
Robert Jcffers made the first settlement in the west part of Rose in
is I 5; he was 'accompanied by three sons, John, William, and Nathan,
WAYNE COUNTY. 407
and for many years the place was called the J'effers neighborhood.
Jacob Clapper settled near them. Capt. Chauncey Bishop located on a
farm in this town in 1812 where he died in August, 1880. Hollow-ay
Drury came from Eden, Vt. , in 1815. George Seeley, son of Joseph,
was born in Sherburne, N. Y., in 180G and died here in December, 1 885.
lie was a colonel in the State militia, held several town offices, and was
a deacon in the Baptist Church. Henry Graham was a noteworthy fig-
ure in town in years gone by. Born in 1802, he came to Port Glasgow
in 1831 and kept the hotel later owned by Isaac Gillett. He removed to
Rose, but finally went to Clyde, where he died in October, 1878.
Palmer Lovejoy located in the northeast corner of the town at an
early day and gave to the place where he purchased the name of Love-
joy settlement. He had sons William C, Silas and Daniel. Among
other early settlers were Dorman Munsell, Alverson Wade, Paine and
William Phillips, Julius Baker, Benjamin Way (father of Samuel and
Harley), Robert Andrews, John Basssett, John Burns, Samuel South-
wick, Jonathan Ellinwood (father of Lucius and Chester), John Wade,
Philander Mitchell, Joseph Seeley (father of George and Delos), Isaac
Crydenwise, Eli Andrews, and John Covey. Philander Mitchell was a
very prominent man; in 1827 he was elected a justice of the peace
along- with Elizur Flint, Dorman Munsell, and Charles Richards, and
held the office over thirty years. He was county superintendent of the
poor in 1861-63. Elizur Flint was president of the first temperance
society organized in town in 1829.
Hon. Eron N. Thomas was postmaster at Rose Valley several )^ears,
supervisor three times, and member of Assembly in 1862. He was a
prominent man and the owner of a stock farm near the village. Eli
Garlick, a settler of 1815, died January 7, 1892, aged ninety-two. . Eli-
zur Flint came here in 1817 and died in February, 1884. Simeon I.
Barrett was born in 1798 and died in town in November, 1887, after a
residence of over sixty years. Samuel Gardner, born in 1820, settled
early in Huron, where he was supervisor some time, and moving to Rose
held the same office at the date of his death in May, 1885.
• Prominent among other early settlers are recalled the names of James
Colborn, Dr. Peter Valentine (the first and for several years supervisor),
Dr. Richard S. Valentine (the doctor's son), John Closs (the father of
George, Harvey, Lorenzo, and Caleb H.), Elizur Flint, Charles
Thomas (the father of Eron N., Nathan W. , and Lorenzo C, all from
Pompey, N. Y.), Solomon Allen, Solomon Mirick (father of Ira,
408 LANDMARKS OF
George, Hiram, and Thomas), Orin Lackey, William Watkins, Amos
Covey, Robert Mason (father of Harvey), William Chaddock, Dudley
Wade (father of Ensign D.), Alonzo, William, jr., and Winfield Chad-
dock (sons of William, sr. ), Peter and Edward Aldrieh, David Smith,
Uriah Wade, John Skidmore, Gideon Henderson, John Barnes, Charles
Richards, Samuel Hunn, Jacob Miller, Mr. Burnham, Abel Lyon, Asa
Cook (in Rose Valley), Betts Chatterson, Charles G. Oaks (who died in
1883), Thomas Cullen, and Joel N. Lee (who died in October, 1880).
John J. Dickson, M. D., born in 1807, was for forty-five years a
physician in Rose and for twenty years was a justice of the peace. In
1845 he was elected to the Legislature, and became a charter member
of Rose Lodge, No. 590, F. and A. M., settling here in 1829, he died
February 15, 1874; the funerals of himself and his first wife were con-
ducted by the Masonic fraternity. Joel S. Sheffield located in this
town in 1854. He was supervisor and town clerk, holding the latter
office at the time of his death July 30, 1894.
Isaac Lamb was a very early settler. He was enterprising and popu-
lar and in 1823 he built a saw mill which ceased operations after a
period of sixty years. About 1838 he erected a grist mill, one of the
old stones of which is now used by Myron Lamb at North Rose as a
horse block. Further up the stream Ansel Gardner once built a card-
ing mill, but it was never utilized.
The first log house and the first frame dwelling were built by Caleb
Melvin. Thaddcus Collins, sr., is said to have set out the pioneer
orchard at the Valley as early as 1813. The first birth was that of
Milburn Salisbury and the first death was that of a child of Harvey
Gillett, both in 1812. Hosea Gillett and Hannah Burnham were mar-
ried in January, 1813, which was the first wedding in town.
A Dr. Delano was the pioneer physician, about 1813, but he remained
less than a year. The first settled physician in Rose was Dr. Peter
Valentine, and subsequent comers were Drs. Henry Van Ostrand,
Beden, Richard S. Valentine, and R. C. Barless.
The first grist mill was erected at Glenmark Falls by Simeon Van
Auken and Seth Whitmore in 1812; in IS 13 a saw mill was built.
These mills were afterward rebuilt by Hiram and Ira Mirick, and
among the various owners were J. Brown, William Chaddock, and
Henry Garlick. About a mile above these Elijah How put up the
pioneer saw mill in 1811 ; another was built a little below by Samuel
Hunn, and- Alfred Lee also erected one near the Valley. Other saw
WAYNE COUNTY. 409
mills on Thomas Creek were put up by Uriah Wade, Simeon T. Barrett,
and I limn & Chatterson. All were demolished when the Sodus Canal
was commenced, and the creek was widened and deepened for nearly
three miles to form a portion of that great ditch. In excavating for
the canal drift wood and animals' bones were discovered ten feet below
the surface.
Willis G. Wade built at Rose Valley the first steam saw mill in 1848,
which he sold to Eron N. Thomas; it was burned in 1873 and rebuilt.
The second was erected in the west part of the town by Isaac Wood-
ruff; in 1859 its boiler blew up and killed a sawyer named Grinnell.
Conrad Young built the third steam saw mill at Wayne Center.
The first steam grist mill was erected in 1866 by William A. Mix.
Chaddock & Garlick built one at Rose Valley in 1873. In 1821 Simeon
Van Auken built a clothiery on Thomas Creek. His successor, John
Wan Auken, added wool carding machines, and the establishment
finally passed to Horace Converse, who discontinued it about 1850.
The only distillery ever operated in this town was built by Charles
Richards at Rose Valley about 1818; it ceased work after a year's ex-
istence. The first and only tannery was erected by William Watkins
and Charles Thomas about 1826; the building was subsequently used
as a storehouse by Robert N. Jeffers.
Among other early settlers and substantial citizens of the town may
be mentioned William and Jairus McKoon, Amaziah Carrier, John
Kellogg, John Q. Deady, Ira Lake, Henry Robinson (the father of ex-
State Senator Thomas Robinson, of Clyde, and John W. Robinson, of
Newark), Samuel Lyman (who raised the first frame building in Rose
without the use of liquor), Asa and Silas Town, William Dickinson,
Addison and James Weeks, Franklin Finch, Riley Winchell, John
Barnes, William Hickox, Thomas Craft (brother of Benjamin and
Abram) Oliver Colvin, Josephus Collins, Jackson Valentine, John Coll-
ier, Pender Marsh, Charles S. Wright, Austin Roe (a brother of Daniel
and the father of Daniel J., John B., and Rev. Austin Roe and Mrs.
Sheldon R. Overton), Daniel Brewster and Egbert Soper (brothers),
John Halloway, Moses Wisner, Jonathan Briggs, the Vandercocks, the
Vanderoefs, W. J. Glen, and many others noted a little further on or
more at length in Part II of this volume.
In 1835 the town had one grist mill, seven saw mills, a fulling works,
a carding mill, one foundry, an ashery, a distillery, one tannery, and
1,715 inhabitants. In 1845 there were two taverns, two stores, five
52
410 LANDMARKS OF
clergymen, three physicians, sixty-three mechanics, 830 farmers, and
2,031 inhabitants. In 1858 there were 13,272 acres improved land ; real
estate assessed at $527,507; personal property, $35,911 ; 1,084 male and
L,030 female inhabitants; 395 dwellings, 419 families, and 329 freehold-
ers; 12 school districts and 791 children; 754 horses, 1,286 oxen and
calves, 871 cows, 3,727 sheep, and 1,241 swine; productions: 9,778
bushels winter and 94,200 bushels spring wheat, 1,725 tons hay, 13,246
bushels potatoes, 28,535 bushels apples, 66,330 pounds butter, 7,075
pounds cheese, and 845 yards domestic cloths.
In 1890 the population was 2,107, or 137 less than in 1880. In 1893
the assessed valuation of land aggregated $716,450 (equalized $771,-
654); village and mill property, $109,595 (equalized $103,308); rail-
roads and telegraphs, $91,590; personal property, $51,250. Schedule
of taxes 1898: Contingent fund, $1,407.08; town poor fund, $520; roads
and bridges, $1,205; school tax, $931.19; county tax, $2,227.98; State
tax, $1,227.74; State insane tax, $316.73; dog tax, $40.50. Total tax
levy, $8,621.33; rate per cent., .00889819. The town has two election
districts, and in 1893 polled 302 votes.
The first regular school was taught by Sally Bishop in 1813; she used
for a school house an old vacant log dwelling about a mile and a half
north of Rose Valley, and was succeeded by Maria Viele, and she by
Rev. David Smith ; following them came Abigail Bunce, Catharine
Robinson, William H. Lyon, Gibson P. Center, John S. Roe, George
W. Ellinwood, George Seeley, George Paddock, Jackson Valentine,
Wallace St. John, and Isaac and John W. Robinson. The first school
house in Rose Valley was a log building on the site of Pimm's Hotel,
and in it Rev. David Smith taught the opening term. This primitive
school building was superseded by a frame structure in 1824 on a site
donated for the purpose by Thaddeus Collins. This in turn was re-
placed in 1846 by a stone school house, which was abandoned in L861
and the unused Presbyterian church purchased. In 1867 the present
building was completed and opened, the total cost being $4,000. The
district including North Rose was organized June 27, 1821. A school
house had doubtless been erected prior to that date. In 1827-8 it was
replaced by a new one, of frame. The present fine graded school
building was built a few years since. School District No. 2, known as
Stewart's, was the first one organized in town, and here Alvin Clark
was a very early teacher. The original school house in District No. 7,
after the stone building was erected, was converted into a dwelling and
WAYNE COUNTY 411
occupied by Jacob Tipple, a shoemaker, who died in 1853, and whose
wife lived to be over 100 years old, dying July 7, 1888. The stone
school house, built in 1840, and in which Arvine Peck was the first
teacher, was succeeded by the present building about 187').
In 1826 Rose was divided into nine school districts. The town now
has twelve school districts, each having a school house, which in
L892-3 employed fifteen teachers and were attended by 504 scholars.
The buildings and sites were valued at $10,090 and the districts are
assessed at $981,340; public money received from the State, $1,868.08;
raised by local tax, $2,427.50.
The first burial place in the town was that in the Stewart neighbor-
hood. In a similar plat in the north part of Rose Valley many of the
earlier interments were made, but encroachments of the village caused
it to be abandoned, and the bodies were removed to a new cemetery one
mile north. The first burials in the Ellinwood burying ground were
those of Samuel Ellis Ellinwood and wife.
During the War of the Rebellion the town of Rose contributed a
large number of her brave sons to fight the nation's battles. Each and
every one did valiant service at the front, and were distinguished by
heroism -and fidelity. To their memory the grateful citizens have
erected a town hall, in which the John E. Sherman Post, No. 401 G. A. R. ,
has a permanent home. This post was organized September 28, 1883,
with eighteen members.
Some fifty-five years ago a peculiar event transpired in Rose in the
Stewart neighborhood, the central scene being the present farm of Silas
Lovejoy. The occurrence is best told, as follows, from a former pub-
lication.
A number of people in this part of the county worked themselves into the delusion
that "money chests" of gold and precious stones lay buried beneath the surface in
this town, to which they were guided by invisible spirits through a " medium." On
several farms northeast of Rose Valley they assembled at night and silently dug for
the treasure., A single word spoken before it was found was fatal ; the treasure would
disappear and the evil spirits would rise against them. In this way the delusion was
fed and kept ablaze by those interested, who were always sure to break the silence,
when the deluded would run frightened away. On one occasion a kettle was pre-
viously buried, and when struck with a spade an exclamation caused the treasure in
it to vanish. To these ignorant men this supplied the most absolute proof, and the
effects of this foolish delusion are still visible in many places by partially rilled exca-
vations, where they labored with a zeal and energy worthy a better cause.
The interpreter of the "money diggers," as they were called, pretended to see the
" money chests," or hidden treasure, through a large, peculiar stone, which he always
412 LANDMARKS OF
retained with him. He held it to his eyes, and claimed the power to see through it
into the earth. Several visionary citizens of this town, with more strangers who came
here regularly, united in their mvstic meetings previous to all their diggings. As an
inducement to persons predisposed to the marvelous, it was related that the son of a
certain minister, then living in town, who was eighteen years of age and of good
habits, saw, one evening, in his father's granary, which was lighted up by super-
natural light, an image in the form of a "little child." Then again it appeared in
his bed-chamber, and, when addressed by the young man, replied that it was from
the " Court of Glory," and had come to reveal to him the hidden treasures of the
earth, and that if he would pray for the span of seven days it would appear the next
time in the form of a "beautiful young lady." In due time the "beautiful young
lady " appeared and made the promised revelation, the circle was formed, one of the
number was made captain, and the digging commenced. Night after night was
passed in hard labor under the particular direction of this invisible spirit. Circles
were carefully marked out around the pit to keep the d<=vil out. The money, or a
portion of it, was to be used for charitable purposes, and to alleviate the sufferings
of humanity. But after many fruitless attempts and much disappointment the cap-
tain, becoming incredulous, and losing confidence in the invisible guide, through
the interpreter, denounced the "beautiful spirit" as being the devil. Of course
this rebellious action could not be tolerated, and must be put down. Accordingly,
the captain was notified in writing to appear on a certain day to a trial before the
spirits and the circle. On the back of the notice he wrote "protested," but named
a day one week later, when the circle convened and the trial began. Innumer-
able spirits were seen by the minister and his son, and from ten a. m. to four p.
M. the patriarchs of old were called as witnesses, and everything was going against
the captain. The last witness was the spirit of Samuel, the prophet. The cap-
tain with all his power conjured Samuel to tell the truth and reveal the devil's
work. He was just ready to give up his case when, to his astonishment, and the
dismay of the circle, the prophet began performing under his own control. The
preacher and his son burst into tears to see poor old Samuel hopping about the
room on one foot, then down on the floor, playing bear witli a great load on his
back. The captain, having absolute control of the spirit, conjured him to faith-
fully answer such questions as he should put to him. " Can you at pleasure trans-
form yourself into a 'devil,' 'lamb,' or 'young lady?'" Answer, "I can." "Have
you been the only witness here to-day in the form of all the old patriarchs?"
Answer, " I have." " Are you the devil himself ?" Answer, "I am." The captain
was triumphant. The deluded parson, son, and all the circle were ready to give
up that it was all the work of the devil. Yet to such an extent did the cap-
tain believe in the power of the devil that he related, as a real occurence, that a
friend of his, while riding, was seized and taken up by the devil, carried through
the air seven miles, and, after a terrible struggle and fright, was released and
dropped in a barnyard. The captain was sent for, who, with the aid of a physi-
cian, restored him. It is stated that many a time while the others were in the
pit digging for their "gold" and "money chests" the devil would appear to the
sentry on the watch in the form of a bellowing bull or by heavy sounds of groan-
in-, or shrieks, which would put the whole party t<> flight.
WAYNE COUNTY. 413
Rose Valley. — This village is located a little southeast from the
center of the town at the intersection of the roads leading to Wolcott
North Rose, and Clyde, and maintains a daily stage communication
with these points. The post-office was established in 1827 as Valen-
tine's with Dr. Peter Valentine as postmaster. The name was subse-
quently changed to Albion, then to Rose Valley, and in 1834 to Rose,
and as such it has ever since remained. June 17, 1829, Charles Thomas
became postmaster and kept the office in his tavern; he was succeeded
by his sons, Nathan W. and Eron N. Thomas, the latter serving from
1832 to 1841, from 1845 to 1849, and from 1853 to 1861. Other post-
masters have been Hiram Salisbury, Benjamin Hendricks, Charles S.
Wright, Jackson Valentine, Daniel B. Harmon, George W. Ellinwood
(from 1869 to 1885), Joel S. Sheffield, E. F. Houghton, and George A.
Collier, the present incumbent. The first mail carrier was Timothy
Smith.
The village was first settled by Capt. John Sherman and the Collins
family in 1811. The former located opposite the lower hotel, where
he built in 1815 a double log house, half of which he opened as a tavern.
This was the first public house in the town, and finally passed in turn
to Charles W. Thomas, Nathan W. Thomas, John J. Dickson, Ira
Mirick, and others. The present lower hotel was erected by Lorenzo
C. Thomas. The upper tavern, long known as Pimm's Hotel, was
built on the site of the first village school house, by Ira Mirick, the
first proprietor, who was succeeded by Hiram Mirick. Their father,
Solomon Mirick, died here in 1839. Ezra T. Pimm, the longest time
landlord, was elected president of the Wayne County Veterans' Asso-
tion in 1889. The first blacksmith was John Barrett, who built a shop
on the site of the Vanderoef residence about 1813. The first shoe shop
was opened by Robert Andrews. The first store in the place was
started in 1831 by John Barber, jr., who moved to Clyde one year later.
His successor was a former clerk, Eron N. Thomas, who continued
business until 1859. Other merchants have been Dr. Peter Valentine,
C. B. Collins, I. & H. Mirick, Charles S. Wright, Jackson Valentine,
George A. Collier, George W. Ellinwood, Joel S. Sheffield, and Charles
Wright.
The first physician was Dr. Peter Valentine, who was also the first
supervisor. He settled here in 1819, and among his professional fol-
lowers have been Drs. John J. Dickson, Henry Van Ostrand, A. F.
Sheldon, George D. Whedon, James M. Horn, Lewis Koon, Richard S.
Valentine, and Romaine C. Barless.
414 LANDMARKS OF
The carriage and wagon shop of M. T. Collier was started by Collins
& Lakey, who sold to William II. Thomas. He conducted it until
1861, when it came into the possession of the firm of Thomas & Collier
(M. T. Collier), by whom it was continued till the death of Mr,
Thomas. Since then Mr. Collier has been sole proprietor. The grist
mill of William A. Mix was burned in July, 1872, and was rebuilt as a
saw and cider mill.
In 1857 the Rose brass band was organized with twelve pieces, the
successive leaders being Z. Deuler, E. B. Wells, and D. B. Harmon.
It then went into the army and remained in the service as a band until
the war closed, when it disbanded. In 1 8 ( i 8 it was reorganized and
continued many years. It finally went down, and the present Rose
Cadet Band was formed.
Rose Valley now contains four general stores, a hardware store, one
newspaper and two printing offices, three blacksmith shops, a carriage
and wagon shop, a saw and cider mill, two hotels, a meat market, four
churches, a public school, a town hall,- three physicians, and about 500
inhabitants.
North Rose is a station and post-village on the.R. W. & O. Railroad
in the north part of the town. It owes its growth and present propor-
tions mainly to the railway, which gave it a new impetus and awakened
numerous business interests. It was originally known as Lamb's Cor-
ners from the family of that name who settled the site at an early day.
The post-office was established about 1860 with David Lyman as post-
master; the present incumbent is Thomas B. Welch. Soon after the
completion of the railroad John York erected a large malt and store
house, which was burned with two stores, in May, 1891, entailing a
loss of over $00,000. It has never been rebuilt. While drilling an ar-
tesian well on the premises a pocket of natural gas was struck. In Oc-
tober, 1880, a cooper shop, house, barn, and other property were de-
stroyed by fire, causing a loss of $8,000. The village now consists of
three general stores, one hardware and one drug store, an hotel, a lum-
ber and coal yard, etc., a fine graded school, one church, and about 250
inhabitants.
Wayne Center, so named from its close proximity to the geograph-
ical center of Wayne county, is a postal hamlet in the extreme west
part of Rose; the post-office was established in L863 with Joel II. Put
nam as postmaster. The present incumbent is J. W. Trimble. It lies
on the same meridian as Washington, D. C. The place contains a store,
WAYNE COUNTY. 415
barrel factor)' and saw mill, a blacksmith shop, and a small cluster of
houses.
Gti'.N.MARK, or (ilenmark Falls, is a hamlet and mill site on Thomas
Creek about two miles west of North Rose. It is named from the beau-
tiful scenery, and in days gone by was an important milling point, the
stream affording excellent water power. It contains some abandoned
mills, a shop or two, and the store of Albert Ellis.
Churches. — The Baptist Church of Rose was organized at Rose,
Valley as the Second Baptist Church of Wolcott on January 3, 1820,
with these members: Hosea Gillett, John Skidmore, Peter Lamb, Joel
and Chauncey Bishop, Phebe Bishop, Clara Burns, Hannah Miner,
Sally Skidmore, Rachel and Martha Bishop, Lydia Fuller, Simantha
Leland, Hannah Gillett, and Nancy Ticknor. The first meetings were
held at the house of Joel Bishop, where was also convened the council
on May 3, to extend the hand of recognition. Chauncey Bishop was
the first clerk and served until July, 1855, when George Seeley was
elected and held until September, 1881 being succeeded by Lucien H.
Osgood. In 1834 the church joined the Wayne Baptist Association, of
which it has ever since been a member. The first pastor was Rev. Da-
vid Smith, who was installed January 8, 1821 ; the present pastor is
Rev. Maxwell H. Cusick since 1891. Their first church edifice was
built in 1836, the building committee being Chauncey Bishop, Ira Mi-
rick and Dr. Peter Valentine. The site was purchased in Rose Valley
of Hiram Mirick. The building was remodeled in 18G1 and again in
1885-86, the expense of the last renovation being $4,400. The society
has about 125 members and owns a frame parsonage. The church was
incorporated March 17, 1834, with the following trustees: David
Holmes, Chauncey Bishop, Ira Mirick, Dr. Peter Valentine and Joseph
Seeley.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Rose Valley was organized
September 21, 1827. Circuit preaching and class meetings had been
held for many years. The first permanent Methodist preacher in the
town was doubtless Alfred Lee, who came at an early date from Ver-
mont. Caleb Mills held religious services in a log school house in the
Valley as early as 1819. The first class was formed in 1824 with Mr.
Lee as leader, and the first members were Charles and Polly Thomas^
William Watkins, Zemira Slaughter, and Abigail Bunce. The society
was legally organized August 27, 1832, with these trustees: Abel Lyon,
Jacob Miller, Samuel E. and Chester Ellinwood, George W. Mirick,
416 LANDMARKS OF
Robert Andrews. Thaddeus Collins, Isaac Lamb, and Moses F. Collins.
Eron N. Thomas was clerk, and the certificate of incorporation was filed
September 13, L833. February 26, L836, the church was reorganized
with three trustees instead of nine, viz. : Ellis Ellinwood, Joel X. Lee,
and George W. Mirick. Thaddeus and Chauncey Collins donated the
site and a cobblestone church was erected in 1835-6 on the site of Mrs.
Augusta Allen's house. It cost $1,200, had a high box pulpit and gal-
leries on three sides, and was burned April 18, 1850. In 1860-61 the
present edifice was erected at a cost of nearly $7,000; it was dedicated
March ;;, L864. It was repaired at a cost of $1,000 and reopened Au-
gust 27, L889. The present pastor is Rev. W. H. Rogers. The society
owns a parsonage and has about 100 members.
The First Presbyterian church of Rose Valley was organized at the
Closs school house February 17, 1825, by Revs. Francis Pomeroy and
Benjamin Stockton, with these members: John and Eunace Wade,
Aaron and Polly Shepard, Simeon and Lydia Van Auken, Rufus
Wells, and Moses Hickok. Aaron Shepard was chosen deacon and
John Wade and Moses Hickok elders. In 1833 their first house of
worship was erected and dedicated at the Valley on a site purchased of
Hiram Mirick a little east of the Baptist church ; about 1862 it was sold
to the village for a school house, finally became a mill, and was burned
many years since. Another site was bought of William Vanderoef
and upon it was built the present handsome brick structure at a cost of
about $8,000. It was dedicated in 1865. January 5, 1846, the society
adopted the Congregational form of government, but on April 18, 1851,
it wras received back into the Presbytery. The first clerk was James
Van Auken, then Smithfield Beaden, and Elizur Flint from November,
L 834, to October, 1882. The society owns a parsonage and has about
sixty-five members. The present pastor is Rev. N. B. Knapp.
The Free Methodist church of Rose Valley was organized as earl)- as
L861, when the charge was supplied by Revs. Mr. Burton and J. W.
Stacey. In 1862 Rev. William Cooley became pastor," and during his
stay their house of worship was erected on the site formerly occupied
by the house of Nathan W. Thomas. It is a frame edifice and was
dedicated Januarys, isi;:>. The society owns a frame parsonage and
has about fifty members. The pastor is Rev. D. C. Stanton, who also
lias charge of the Free Methodist church in Clyde.
The Methodist Episcopal church of North Rose was organized a few
years since as a mission of the M. E. church of Rose Valley. A neat
WAYNE COUNTY. 417
frame edifice was built in 1884 at a cost of about $2,400. The pastor
is Rev. W. H. Rogers.
A band of worshipers who called themselves " The Neversweats "
sprang into existence in the Jeffers settlement a number of years ago.
" They met in the Spink school house and talked in unknown tongues."
They made several conversions and evoked considerable interest, but
discarded all organization, creed, or ceremony. Without these they
soon dropped away as quietly as they had come into notice.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF HURON.
Huron was organized as Port Bay from the northwest corner of the
old town of Wolcott on the 25th of February, 1826. The name first
chosen remained until March 17, 1834, when the present designation
was formally adopted. It contains 21,826 acres, and is bounded on the
north by Lake Ontario, on the east by Wolcott and Butler, on the south
by Rose, and on the west by Sodus.
The town was originally included within the Williamson's patent of
the Pultney estate, which has been detailed in the chapter devoted to
Wolcott. It lies east of the center of the northern limits of Wayne county,
directly north from Clyde, and has more than fifteen miles of lake and
bay coast. Dense forests covered its primitive surface, and long fur-
nished lucrative employment to the numerous saw mills that dotted the
several streams. The largest watercourse is Dusenbury or Mudge
Creek, which flows from Rose through the west part of Huron and the
village of North Huron into East Bay. This bay also receives the
waters of another brook a little west. Other streams are Third and
Thomas Creeks, which empty into the head of Sodus Bay, and a branch
of Wolcott Creek, flowing into Port Bay.
The surface is undulating and inclines toward the lake. In the west,
northeast, and southeast parts of the town are large tracts of lowlands
originally of a marshy formation, but by systematic drainage these have
largely been brought under cultivation. The soil is mainly a sandy
and gravelly loam and unusually fertile; in many places it is admixed
53
418 LANDMARKS OF
with considerable clay. East and west through the southern portion
of Huron is the famous ridge, which geologists claim formed the shore
of Lake Ontario in past ages, and along its summit runs the Wolcott
and Port Glasgow road.
The coast formation of the town of Huron is worthy of special men-
tion, for its equal does not exist in Wayne county. Bold and precipi-
tous, and interesting alike to the student and tourist, it is in place
extremely picturesque and contributes not a little to the popularity of
the Sodus region as a summer resort. The highest elevation is Chim-
ney Bluff, 175 feet above the lake. Bay Bluff is 125 feet high, and
several other promontories have nearly an equal eminence. In the
northwest corner of the town lies the larger portion of Sodus Bay,
which forms one of the finest harbors along the American shores of
Lake Ontario, and which is described in the Sodus chapter. This
great indentation extends to within one mile of the southern boundary of
Huron, and near its head is Le Roy's or Long Island, which contains a
summer hotel and four or five cottages. Newark or Little Island, an-
other summer resort, is so named from its proportionate size, and is
owned mainly by citizens of Newark village. Eagle or Big Island re-
mains chiefly in its primitive condition. Charles Point is a series of
islands and bars extending from the mainland at the lake toward Sodus
Point village, its elevations being named Bute, Isley, and Arran. It
was formerly called Farr's Island, and contains a number of handsome
summer homes.
The first thoroughfare in Huron was the "old Galen road " from the
salt works in Savannah to Glasgow7, or " Floating Bridge," as it was then
sometimes called. It was opened by the Salt Company prior to 1808.
The first highway regularly surveyed was that from Sloop Landing
(Port Glasgow) to Wolcott village. The surveyor was Osgood Church,
who laid out many of the early roads and was resident sub-agent of
Williamson's patent. He established this road June 8, 1810, at which
time Jacob Shook and Peres Bafdwell were commissioners of highways.
June 29 of that year Mr. Church surveyed the road from Port Bay to
Clyde.
Prior to the construction of the Erie Canal the Huron side of Sodus
Bay promised a brilliant future, but the great waterway drew the prin-
cipal commerce southward and killed whatever prospects the promoters
of this region may have entertained. The site of Port Glasgow7 was
intended for- a port under the name of Sloop Landing. Here Obadiah
WAYNE COUNTY. 419
Adams, of Wolcott, had a large warehouse and a sailing vessel to trans-
port his produce to Canada. He bought quite a tract of land, laid it
(Hit into village lots, and erected several very good buildings. Jar\-is
Mudge also built a commodious hotel. April !), 1819, the Sodus Bay
Bridge Company was incorporated to construct a bridge "over Great
Sodus Bay at or near the route of the Niagara ridge or State roads in
the town of Wolcott." Considerable shipping was carried on, as the
place formed the outlet for a large extent of adjacent territory. The
opening of the Erie Canal was its death-blow, but long afterward im-
mense quantities of lumber were sent thither to distant markets.
April 18, 1837, an act was passed authorizing William Edwards and
Harlow Hyde to establish and maintain a ferry over the bay at this
point for ten years at the following prices : fifty cents per coach, thirty-
one cents for two horses and wagon, eighteen cents for one horse and
wagon, twelve and one- half cents for man and horse, six cents each for
footmen, and ten cents per head for neat cattle.
About 1822 Joseph Fellows and Andrew McNab, agents for the
Pultney estate, made an effort to build up the business at Sloop Land-
ing, but without avail. They gave it the name of Port Glasgow in
honor of the city of Glasgow in Scotland, and building a warehouse,
schooners, etc. , they took measures to establish a permanent commerce.
In 1827 a preliminary survey for a canal from Clyde to Sodus Bay was
made, and the event momentarily aroused declining interests. In 1841
the project was revived with Gen. William H. Adams as the chief pro-
moter, but clashing influence prevented its consummation. In 1850 the
Pennsylvania and Sodus Bay Railroad was chartered with Port Glasgow
as the northern terminus. Surveys were made and enthusiasm contin-
ued with more or less ardor until 1870, when the landable plan was per-
manently abandoned. And now the town is practically devoid of either
ports or railway, although the R. W. & O. Railroad cuts off its southeast
corner. The nearest stations are Wolcott, North Rose, and Alton, all
of which have furnished excellent shipping facilities since the comple-
tion of the line in 1873.
The town is principally an agricultural section and produces annually
large crops of fruit, grain, peppermint, etc. The primitive wilderness
has passed away, like nearly all of the earlier settlers, whose labors,
however, are still extant in the form of broad cultivated fields, attract-
ive homes, substantial schools and churches, and thriving hamlets, em-
bodying all the arts and elements of our best civilization. Their de-
400 LANDMARKS OF
seen dan t sand successors worthily maintain the wide prestige and sterling
characteristics so ably implanted amid the privations and hardships of
pioneer life.
The first town meeting convened at the tavern of Josiah Upson near
South Huron on April 4, 1826. Norman Sheldon presided and the fol-
lowing officers were elected : Supervisor, N-orman Sheldon ; town clerk;
Elisha Benjamin; assessors, Wareham Sheldon, Spencer Chapin, Jed-
ediah Wilder; collector, Ira Smith; overseers of the poor, Simeon Bis-
sell and Josiah Upson; commissioners of highways, Alanson Jones,
John C. Frazier, Simeon Bissell; constables, Ira Smith and Benjamin
Parker; commissioners of common schools, Arad Talcott, Spencer
Chapin, Wareham Sheldon; inspectors of common schools, Ebenezer
Jones, Elisha Benjamin, Lemuel Colbath ; poundmaster, Stephen Carey.
The supervisors of the town have been :
Norman Sheldon, 1826-30, Samuel Gardiner, 1868,
Elisha Benjamin, 1831-32, Oscar Weed, 1869,
Jedediah Wilder, 1833, Samuel Gardiner, 1870,
Harlow Hyde, 1834-35, Oscar Weed, 1871-72,
Philip Sours, 1836-40, Reuben Sours, 1873-74,
Harlow Hyde, 1841-42, I hvight B. Flint, 1875-76,
Ebenezer Jones, 1843-44, William W. Gatchell, 1877,
Jedediah Wilder, 1S45-47, Alanson Church, 1878
Edward W. Bottum, 184s, William W. Gatchell, 1879,
James T. Wisner, 1849, Elisha Cady, 1880,
John F. Curtis. 1850, Robert A. Catchpole, 1881-82,
Ralph Sheldon, 1851, Roswell E. Reed, iss:!,
Reuben Sours, 18 .2-53, Oscar Weed, 1884-85,
James T. Wisner, 1854, Samuel Cosad, 1886-88,
Elisha Cady, 1855, William W. Gatchell, 1889,
Roswell E. Reed, 1856, Samuel Cosad, 1890-93,
John F. Curtis, 1857, H. Demmon Sheldon. 1894.
Reuben Sours, 1858, Samuel Cosad was chairman of the board
Elisha Cady, 1859-60, in 1892 and 1893.
Rufns B. Sours, 1S61-67,
The town officers for L894 are: H. Demmon Sheldon, supervisor; E.
B. Kellogg, town clerk ; Anson S. Wood, George C. Mitchell, Charles
B. Kellicutt, and (after January 1, 1895) James W. Sceber, justices of
the peace; Darwin Dermond, collector; William (Juereau, highway
commissioner; A. F. Davenport and Walter W. Darling, overseers of
the poor; Frank B. Green, John Carroll, George E. Thomas, Clarence
F. Davenport, constables; John Proctor, Adonijah Church, Harvey
Brundige, excise commissioners; Abram Davis, game constable.
WAYNE COUNTY. 121
The first settler in this town was Capt. William Helms, who came
from Fauquier county, Va., and located on the present site of Port
Glasgow in 1706. He brought with him about seventy slaves, but soon
afterward left them and his farm to the management of his brother,
Thomas, and removed to Bath, N. Y. Thomas Helms was highly
educated, possessed superior abilities, and had been a congressman
from Virginia, but becoming dissipated he had lost nearly all of his
inheritance. Infatuated with a poor, uncultured young woman named
Lydia Mohaz he lived with her as his wife, and after having two chil-
dren they ran away from Virginia and came to his brother's home in
this town. This family and their slaves were the sole inhabitants of
Huron until about 1807, by which time two more children had been
born to them. Their daughter, Celia, born in 1803, was the first white
child born in the town. Other settlers came in, and so emphatically
did they express their dissatisfaction at the mode of life as it existed on
the Helms homestead that Helms and his woman went through the
forms of marriage. He was a brutal fellow, and his slaves were most
cruelly treated, but the institution existed until his death. He cleared
nearly 100 acres with them and without the aid of teams, rolling the
timber together and burning it. The negroes lived on the place and
had their own cabins, and obtaining their freedom they scattered to
more congenial climes.
In November, 1807, Ezra Knapp purchased a farm three-quarters of
a mile east of the Helms homestead, upon which he settled with his
family of six children. He came from New Marlboro, Mass., with
three horses and two wagons. With him came the families of Jarvis
Mudge, Nathaniel Hale, John Hyde, and Adonijah Church, the latter
of whom located in Wolcott Mr. Mudge settled on the creek that
took his name and built there one of the first saw mills in town.
Abraham Knapp, a married son of Ezra, moved from Pompey, N.Y.,
the same year and located on a farm adjoining his father. In April,
1808, Mr. Hale's wife died and was buried on his farm ; this was the
first white death in Huron, and soon afterward he removed to Wolcott.
Prior to this several negroes belonging to Helms had died, and in later
years some of their skulls and bones were found while excavating.
Early in 1808 and 1809 other settlers arrived, among them Josiah
Upson from Connecticut, Mr. Chapin, a Mr. Knox, and the Sheldons.
Roger Sheldon and Elizabeth Marsh, his wife, came from Hartford,
Conn., in 1809, and settled about two miles east of Port Glasgow.
422 LANDMARKS OF
Their family consisted of six sons: Norman, Wareham, George, Grove,
Ralsamon, and Ralph, and four daughters. George owned and cleared
what is now the Jacob Yiele farm. Grove died at sixteen and
Ralsamon lived to be nearly 100, dying in Genoa, N.Y. Ralph cleared
the Allen Robinson farm and died in Wolcott in 1871. On their way
from Hartford the family stopped over night with Judge Johnson
in 1 Mitchess county, and Mrs. Johnson gave the children some Virginia
pears, the seeds of which were saved and planted near their wilderness
home. From them came the famous Sheldon pear, and the original
tree is still standing on the homestead. Norman Sheldon was the first
supervisor and died in Huron, aged ninety-eight.
The first white man to die in the town was Mr. Chapin. About J son
Elihn Spencer located at North Huron. Osgood Church, as previously
stated, was the sub-agent for Williamson's patent, which included the
whole of Huron, and in his old book of records 117 contracts are
recorded, from June 16, 1808, to October 15, 1813, after which the
business was transacted with the land office at Geneva. The contracts
falling within our limits are as follows:
Obadiah Adams, lot 19, 106 acres, at $3.50 per acre, July 1, 1809; Levi Wheeler, lot
45,11:', 1-2 acres, August 13, 1809; Roger Sheldon, lot 22, 10G acres, September l.\
L809; Wareham Sheldon, lots 24 and 25, 142 1-2 acres, September 26, 1809; James
Alexander, lot 411, 70 acres, October 14, 1809; EHab Abbott, lot 43, 81 acres, at
$3.50, July 26, 1810; Zenas Wheeler, lot 44, 100 acres, June 1, 1811; Ira Smith,
lot 12, 59 3-4 acres, September 1, 1811 ; Elihu Spencer, lot 71, 15(5 1-2 acres, August
«.), 1811; John Laraway, lot 343, 70 acres, November 22, 1811; Nathan Parker, lot
9S, 114 3-4 acres, December 2, 1811; Sheldon and O. Seymonr, lot 70, 100 acres,
December 2, 1811; Nathaniel Graves, lot 88, 188 acres, August 17, 1811; Stephen
Betts, lot 360, 100 acres, April 14, 1811; Lorin Doolittle, lot 40, 65 1-2 acres, June
12. L812; Jarvis Mudge, lot 74, 55 acres, December 30, 1812; William Tindall
(colored), lot 291,1 66 acres, May 30, L813; Ezra Knapp, lot 75, about 30 acres,
April 27, 1813; C. Avery and C. Andrews, lots 95 and 97, 207 acres, June 26, 1813;
Simeon Van Auken, lot 126, 35 acres, July 1, 1813; Robert Mason, lots 136 and
106, 215 aires, July 6, 1813; Christopher Martin, lot 114, 128 acres, July 9, 1813.
The last named lot was the Helms property at Port Glasgow. Mar-
tin became a noted hunter and trapper. Prior to 1812 Erastus Wilder,
Daniel S. Butrick, Noah Lyman, Tmther Wheeler, John Wade, Noah
Seymour, Robert M. Palmer, Jason Mudge, and others became settlers,
but the war of that period almost cheeked immigration. On one occa-
sion, when a report gained credence that 1,500 hostile Indians were
1 This is known as Negro Point Lot at Port Bay,
WAYNE COUNTY. 123
advancing on the settlements with warlike intentions the people all
fled to the interior; Joseph Watson, of Clyde, and others drove with a
wagon down to the bay to bring away the only remaining family — a
widow and her children.
Among subsequent comers were Richard Redfield (the first shoe-
maker), John Holloway (an early blacksmith), Ebenezer Jones, Elisha
Benjamin, Jedediah Wilder, Simeon Carey, Spencer Chapin, D. Barker,
Ira Smith, Lemuel Colbath, Messrs. Ellis and Westcott, Daivd Vought,
Levi Wheeler, James Alexander (for several ye*ars highway commis-
sioner), and Rufus D. Sours (who died in February, 1875). Horace
Demmon was born in Vermont in 1803, came with his parents to this
town in May, 1817, and died April 2, 1891. His father commenced
making brick for the "-City of Sloop Landing." Dr. Zenas Hyde, a
son-in-law of the Ezra Knapp previously mentioned, was the town's
first settled physician, but he soon removed to Wolcott. A child of his
was the second white person born in Huron. John H. Newberry came
here in 1827, bought a farm near East Bay, and died October 28, 1878.
Daniel Lamb, from Hartford, Conn. , settled on what is now the David
Lake farm at South Huron prior to 1820, and died here, leaving two
sons, William and Lewis. A son of the former is postmaster at Lum-
misville. Daniel Whipple located where Aaron Sours now lives in 1836.
Prominent among other settlers may be mentioned Charles E. Reed,
son of R. E., elected sheriff of Wayne county, and died in office No-
vember 17, 1890; Daniel Chase, blind many years, died at North Hu-
ron in November, 1872, aged nearly 100; Simon V. W. Stout, born in
Lyons in 1807, sheriff in 1840, died at Port Glasgow; Benjamin Parker,
who died in 1874; James M. Cosad, who built the first barn with stone
basement in town; Major Farr, who purchased and settled on one of
the islands of Charles Point and gave it his name; Benjamin Catchpole,
living on the Dr. William N. Lummis estate; and many others noticed
further on and in Part II. of this work.
In 1814 the first plat was laid out and set apart for burial purposes
near South Huron, and Catherine Alexander, who died in 1815, was
the first person regularly buried therein. Prior to this, however, sev-
eral bodies had been removed to it from various localities. The first
marriage in town was that of Dr. Gardner Wells to Paulina M. Fuller
in 1813 ; the ceremony being performed at the house of Ezra Knapp.
Dr. Wells lived in Junius, Seneca county, and was a surgeon in the
War of 1812; he obtained leave of absence to consummate his mar-
I -'I LANDMARKS OF
riage, after which he rejoined his regiment. Jason Mudge opened the
first store a mile and a half northeast from South Huron in 1812. Giles
Fiteh drove the first stages through the town from Woleott to Roch-
ester about 1820.
In 1858 the town had 12,221 acres improved land, real estate assessed
at $575,999, personal property valued at $31,444; 985 male and 896
female inhabitants, 386 dwellings, 384 families, 315 freeholders, 712
horses, 1,091 oxen and calves, 675 cows, 3,716 sheep, and 1,438 swine.
There were produced then 10,357 bushels winter and 113,035 bushels
spring wheat, 1,010 tons hay, 15,895 bushels potatoes, 20,361 bushels
apples, 59,850 pounds butter, 4,844 pounds cheese, and 1,310 yards do-
mestic cloths.
In 1890 the population numbered 1,793, or 243 less than in 1880. In
L893 the assessed value of land aggregated $768,477 (equalized $716,-
170); village and mill property, $35,560; railroads and telegraphs, $18,-
539; personal property. $8,000. Schedule of taxes 1893: Contingent
fund, $1,187; town poor, $250; roads and bridges, $500; school tax,
$712.03; county tax, $1,703.61; State tax, $938.78; State insane tax,
$242.19; dog tax, $97.50. Total tax levy, $5,827.86; rate per cent.,
.00701664. The town has two election districts and in 1893 polled 331
votes.
The first school was taught by Paulina M. Fuller (afterward Mrs.
Gardner Wells), a stepdaughter of Ezra Knapp, in 1809. Her school
house was an old log cabin on the Helms farm formerly occupied by a
family of negro slaves. The first regular school building was erected
near the Huron post office in 1813, and the first teacher therein was
Gardiner Mudge. Minerva Flint, who married Ralph Sheldon, was a
very early teacher in the town; she died in 1871. Huron now has
eleven school districts with a school house in each, which were taught
in 1892-93 by as many teachers and attended by 305 scholars; value of
school buildings and sites, $5,245 ; public money received from the State,
$1,296.38; raised by local tax, $1,333.81; assessed valuation of the dis-
tricts, $817,240.
During the War of the Rebellion the town of Huron contributed a
large number of its brave citizens to fill the Union ranks. The part it
took in that terrible struggle is detailed in a previous chapter.
North Huron is a small post village near the head of East Bay in the
northern part of the town. Elihu Spencer erected here, in 1809, the
first grist mill and saw mill in Huron; the former was a brick structure.
WAYNE COUNTY. 425
J. L. Barber built another mill in 1825 which finally passed to Thomas
Graham. Other mills have been put up on the same stream (Mudge
Creek). The place now contains a store, blacksmith shop, two churches
and 75 inhabitants. James Chase succeeded Charles R. Weed as post-
master and died in office July 14, 1894.
South Huron (Huron post-office) is a scattered settlement near the
center of the town. Josiah Upson settled here at an early date and in
1811 established a tanning business, which he continued till 1818, when
he built and kept the first regular tavern in Huron. In 1849 a town
hall was erected just south of the Presbyterian church, and a few years
since a Grange hall was erected on the opposite side of the road. Besides
these the place contains a grocery and a blacksmith shop. The post-
mistress is Mrs. S. E. Andrus.
Lummisville, about one mile northwest of South Huron, is another
small postal settlement containing a store, repair shop, etc. The post-
master is Wilson Lamb, who succeeded Lafayette Legg in the fall of
1881. The office was named from Dr. William N. Lummis, the first
postmaster, who kept it where David Green now lives.
Port Glasgow (Resort post-office) has been noticed in previous pages
of this chapter. It is chiefly noted as a summer resort and contains
two hotels. The post office was established June 1, 1894, with S. G.
Stacey as postmaster. Near here Dr. Zenas Hyde is said to have opened
in an old log building, about 1810, the first tavern in town. Norman
Sheldon about the same time opened another. The place lies at the
head of sloop navigation on Sodus Bay and until recent years was a
point of some shipping importance.
Bonnicastle is a small but attractive summer resort on Sodus Bay a
little more than a mile north from Port Glasgow. It contains a few
cottages and accommodations for tourists.
Lake Bluff is a summer resort on the lake shore, west of East Bay
and contains two hotels, a store, and a few cottages. The post-office
here is continued three months in the year with E. B. Fuller as post-
master.
Rice's Settlement on Mudge Creek in the southeast part of the town,
is so named from Decatur Rice, who finally came into the possession of
the mill built by Jarvis Mudge in 1811.
The Presbyterian Church of Huron was organized as the First Pres-
byterian Church of Wolcott by Revs. Charles Mosher and Henry Axtell
on July 18, 1813, with these members: Erastus Wilder, Robert M.
54
126 LANDMARKS OF
Palmer, Luther Wheeler, Jonathan Melvin, sr., Martha Fox, Lucy
Wheeler, Damarius Wilson, Ezra Knapp, Elisha Jones, John Wade,
Noah Seymour, Roswell Fox, Elisha Plank, Marian Seymour, Johanna
Bunce, Elizabeth Olmstead, Margaret Upson, Elizabeth Sheldon, Ruth
Plank, Josiah Upson, Amy Hancock, Noah Lyman, and Eunice Wade.
The first officers were Ezra Knapp, Noah Lyman, Erastus Wilder, and
Josiah Upson, elders; and Erastus Wilder and Ezra Knapp, deacons.
The first pastor was Rev. A. M. Butrick. (The first minister of this
denomination in Huron was Rev. Francis Pomeroy, who preached the
pioneer sermon in the town at the house of Ezra Knapp in April, 1811.
Two other ministers prior to 1813 were Revs. Royal Phelps and Daniel
S. Butrick). In 1826 the name of this church was made to conform
with that of the town by formally adopting the title of the Presbyterian
Church of Port Bay, and in 183G it was again changed, this time as at
present, to the Presbyterian Church of Huron. The first and only
house of worship was built of wood at South Huron in 1836 and attained
its present dimensions by a subsequent addition of twelve feet. The
society has about 100 members with Rev. R. A. Ward as pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of North Huron was organized as a
class at the school house by Benson Smith in 1817 with seven members.
Mr. Smith was an exhorter and the first class leader. The first preacher
was Rev. Enos Barnes, and services continued at private dwellings and
the Dutch street school house until the present edifice, a frame struc-
ture was built at North Huron about 1844, at which time the society
was legally organized. It cost $1,200 and was dedicated by Rev. Hiram
Mattison. It was repaired in 1865 at an expense of $1,500. The first
minister in charge of the new church was Rev. Almon Cawkins, and
the first officers were: Trustees, Simeon Slaght, J. Seeber, Stephen
Seaman, R. L. Ostrander, Stephen Playford; stewards, Horace Dem-
mon, Simeon Slaght, William G. Brene, John McCarthy, Stephen
Playford; class -leaders, Horace Demmon, John Hyde, John McCarthy.
The Sunday school was first organized in 1832 with Horace Demmon
as superintendent. The society has about fifty members under the
pastoral care of Rev. P. Martin.
The Methodist Protestant Church of North Huron was organized
about 1840, and the same year their present edifice was erected and
dedicated. The society has twenty-five members with Rev. R. K.
Andrews as pastor. They also maintain a flourishing Sunday school
WAYNE COUNTY 457
CHAPTER XXIX.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BUTLER.
Butler originally conprised tho southeast part of the old town of
Wolcott (which see), and was organized into its present limits on the
'20th of February, 1826. It is nearly six miles square, and has as area
of 21,918 acres. It forms the central township of the eastern part of
Wayne county, and is bounded on the north by Wolcott, on the east by
Cayuga county, on the south by Savannah and Galen, and on the west
by Rose and Huron. Its principal stream is Wolcott Creek, which
rises in the northeast part of the town, flows southwest through Butler
Center, thence westerly, northwesterly and northerly through Wolcott
village, and empties into Port Bay. Butler Creek is a small stream
that rises east of Butler Center and flows southwest through South
Butler and south into Crusoe Lake in Savannah. Both of these streams
formerly furnished good mill sites.
The. surface is broken into ridges and valleys running generally north
and south The soil is generally loam admixed with more or less clay;
on the lowlands considerable muck exists. It is very fertile and nearly
all adapted to cultivation. The principal industry is agriculture.
Grain, hay, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, etc., are grown in abundance.
During the past decade or two the production of tobacco has been given
especial attention, and has placed the town prominently among the
great tobacco growing sections of the State. Apples, pears, plums, and
small fruit are raised in considerable quantities. Originally the land
was covered with heavy timber, which long gave employment to sev-
eral saw mills, and which even yet supplies two or three with sizable
logs. Along Wolcott Creek, and in the northeast part of Butler, a
good quality of limestone exists and has been extensively burned into
lime for building purposes.
Devoid of railroad or canal the town has always maintained com-
munication with adjacent villages by stage and horses. The first
thoroughfare was the old Galen road opened about 1804 from the salt
works in Savannah to Sodus Bay. It entered this town at South Butler,
428 LANDMARKS OF
ran westwardly to Wheeler's Corners, and passed thence north and
northwest through West Butler to Port Glasgow (then Sloop Landing).
At South Butler it was intersected by the Musketo Point road from the
east. From West Butler an early road ran north to Wolcott village. The
first regular highway, leading south from Wolcott and now called New
Hartford street, was surveyed and established by Osgood Church on
November 2, 1810; Jacob Shook and Peres Bardwell were road com-
missioners. Nearly all the roads in Butler were surveyed after the
organization of the town. About 1825 a canal was projected from
Seneca River to Sodus Bay. A company capitalized at $200,000 was
formed and March 29, 1829, a charter was obtained. A survey was
made running through Butler, but finally changed to a point a little
west of Clyde.
The first town meeting was held at the house of Jacob S. Viele on
Tuesday, April 4, 1826, at which Ebenezer Fitch was moderator, and
Thomas Armstrong "clerk for the day." The first officers chosen
were: Thomas Armstrong, supervisor; Ebenezer Fitch, town clerk;
Jesse Viele, Israel J. Clapp, and Orestus Hubbard, assessors; Ezekiel
Scott and Nathan Cook, overseers of the poor; Prentice Palmer, col-
lector; Morris Craw, Asaph Spencer, and Welcome Cole, highway
commissioners; Thomas Armstrong, Joseph A. Olmsted, and John R,
Taintor, commissioners of common schools ; Prentice Palmer and
William Wood, constables; Benjamin Tucker, Austin Roe, and Joseph
Watson, school inspectors; Simeon Merrill, Ezekiel Scott, Joseph A.
Olmsted, Welcome Cole, Paul H. Davis, Thomas Newell, and Eleazer
Smith, fence viewers; and twenty-nine pathmasters. The second
town meeting was held on April 3, 1827, also at the house of
Mr. Viele, and the third to the ninth at the house of Lucius
Hibbard. November 28, 1827, the following justices of the peace
were elected: Israel J. Clapp, four years; Ebenezer Fitch, three
years; Thomas Hall, two years; and Jesse Viele, one year. In 1827 it
was voted that pathmasters be fence viewers. The expenses of the
town during the first year were $139.41, and at the annual meeting in
L827 there was an indebtedness of $5.10. In 1827 the expenses
amounted to $113.23. Austin Roe was town clerk many years.
The supervisors of Butler have been as follows:
Thomas Armstrong, 1S26-33, Thomas Armstrong, 1838,
UriahG. Beach, 1834-36, Austin Roe, 1839,
Austin Roe, 1837, John Dratt, 1840-41,
WAYNE COUNTY. 429
Nathaniel W. Tompkins, 1842-43, Gibson Center, 1863,
Thomas Armstrong, 1844-45, Benham S. Wood, 1864,
John Dratt, 1846, Henry K. Graves, 1865,
Horatio N. Wood, 1847, Anson S. Wood, 1866,
Franklin Knapp, 1848, Andrew Spencer, 1867-69,
John Dratt, 1849, Joel Laberteaux, 1870-73,
Thomas Armstrong, 1850-51, John E. Hough, 1874-78,
Henry K. Graves, 1852-53, William Wood, 1879-80,
John Dratt, 1854, Eugene M. Walker, 1881-82,
Charles Mead, 1855, Joseph H. L. Roe, 1883-86,
Henry K. Graves, 1856, Isaac Lockwood, 1887,
Horatio N. Wood, 1857, Lyman H. Dratt, 1888-89,
C. D. Hadden, 1858, Gorham J. Wilson, 1890-93,
Abram Gibbs, 1859, Cyrus E. Fitch, 1894.
John E. Hough, 1860-62,
The town officers for 1894 are: Cyras E. Fitch, supervisor; D. P.
Mitchell, town clerk; Frank W. Fry, J. A. Craw, Noah Wood, A. B.
Newton, and D. Wallace Holdridge (after January 1, 1895), justices of
the peace; William P. Stiles, George E. Vincent, and Aaron Treat,
assessors; William R. Burghduff, collector; Lucius Douglass, highway
commissioner; A. M. Armstrong, overseer of the poor.
Settlement was commenced within the present limits of Butler as
early as 1803. Capt. Peter Mills, who located in the town about that
year, is regarded as the first actual settler. He was a Revolutionary
soldier and drew a bounty here of 500 acres of land for military services.
A part of this is now the L. H. Viele farm north of South Butler.
His wife, Sarah Mills, died November 26, 1809, aged sixty-five, hers
being the first death and burial in the town. Among the very first
settlers were John Grandy on the Orestes Hubbard farm and Henry
Bummell, two miles northwest of South Butler. The latter sold to
Eli Wheeler in 1808, and moved to Cayuga county. Abijah Moore
located on New Hartford street in 1805 and lived there until 1860.
Many of the earlier settlers were New Englanders endowed with
sterling characteristics and indomitable perseverance. Slowly but
steadily they converted the wilderness into productive fields and
pleasant homes. By degrees they surrounded themselves with the
comforts and luxuries of life, and transmitted to their descendants and
the present generation their noble traits and advanced ideas of civiliza-
tion. Primitive log cabins and rude churches and schools in time gave
way to commodious frame dwellings and better institutions.
From 1808 to 1813 Osgood Church, of Wolcott, was the resident sub-
430 LANDMARKS OP
agent for Williamson's patent, a part of which was located in Butler.
He gave contracts for the land, and those falling within our limits
were as follows :
Robert Van Tassell, 144 1-2 acres, lot 54, June 16, 1808; Silas Munsell, 180 3-4
acres, lot 65, June 22, 1808; Aaron Hoppin, 165 1-2 acres, lot 45, September 30,
1808; Glazier Wheeler, 152 1-2 acres, lot 52, November 26, 1808 ; Thomas Hancock,
50 acres, lot 104, August 8, 1809; Elijah Hancock, 50 acres, lot 104, August 8, 1809;
William P. Newell, 85 acres, lot 144, August 9, 1809; Lucius Hibbard, 47 acres,
lot 104, August 12, 1809; Prentice Palmer, 156 1-2 acres, at $4, lot 62, October 21|
1809; Thaddeus Collins, 99 acres, at $3.50, lot 141, October 23, 1809; Jacob and
Eli Ward, 100 1-2 acres, lot 122, at §3.50, February 18,1810; Milton Fuller, 98 1-2
acres, lot 182, December 25, 1810; Eliakim Tupper, 20 acres, lot 53, May 26, 1811;
Jacob Watson, 94 acres, lot 56, May 28, 1811 ; James Phillips, 99 acres, lot 92,
October 12, 1812; Eli Wheeler, 100 acres, lot 188, November 13, 1812; John South-
wick, 96 1-2 acres, lot 191, November 14, 1812; Joseph B. Grandy, 101 acres, lot
201, July 1, 1813; Asa Whitmore, 101 acres, lot 208, August 17, 1813; Samuel
Haskell, 102 acres, lot 163, September 11, 1813.
In 1807 Seth Crane settled north of Wheeler's Corners, but in 1812
removed to a farm two miles east of South Butler, upon which he was
succeeded by Ezekiel Scott. Mr. Crane was a justice of the peace and
a deacon in the Baptist Church. He was a Revolutionary veteran and
a very kind-hearted man. In 1809 Noah Starr and Seth Winans became
settlers. The latter was also a Revolutionary soldier. Prentice Palmer
located in the town in 1810, but the next year moved to Savannah to
take care of the old Galen salt works. It is said that in one winter, in
twenty-hve days, he killed twenty-six deer. Paul Wellman, a soldier
in the Revolution, came to Butler in 1810, accompanied by his father,
Jedediah Wellman, who died the next spring, aged eighty-four, and
whose death was the second in the iown.
Eli Wheeler was a settler of 1810. He was a prominent citizen and
died in 1847. His son, Highland Hill Wheeler, was born in Cairo, N.
Y., November 23, 1808, removed with his parents to Butler, and died
here July 1, 1894. When twenty-one he went to New York, studied and
practiced law, married and returned to his farm, known as Highland
Terrace, in 1860. He followed his profession and was a justice of the
peace here many years. He was a scholarly writer and a recognized
authority on local history, in which he took a deep interest, contributing
many letters bearing on the early settlement of the old town of Wolcott
to the county papers. He left four children.
Daniel Roe, when fifty years old, moved with his wife and five sons
and six daughters from Litchfield, Conn., to this town, arriving May
WAYNE COUNTY. 431
24, 1812. He bought out one Hopkins, who had built a log house and
cleared some six or eight acres of land. He was vigorous and energetic,
and lived to see his farm of 170 acres pretty well cleared up and his
family all settled about him. He was an active Christian man and had
a marked influence in the community, and was instrumental in securing
from the old Genesee Conference the first Methodist preachers for that
locality or region. They held quarterly meetings in his barn, preached
in the school house on a corner of his farm, and he was an earnest sup-
porter of the church while he lived. He was one of the first magistrates
of the town and served many years, and was for several years postmas-
ter, the post-office being kept in his house. The mail was brought from
Auburn on horseback once or twice a week. He died at the age of
eighty-nine years and seven months. His wife preceded him in March,
1840, at which time the family cemetery now on the homestead was laid
out. His sons, who all settled near him, were men of influence. Dan-
iel was one of the pioneer settlers of the present town of Wolcott, and
was prominent for many years as supervisor, justice of the peace, etc.
He died at Butler Center, September 22, 1884, aged ninety-two years.
He was a life-long Democrat. Austin, another son, was member of
Assembly one or two terms. Willis W. was also prominent in town
and lived and died upon the homestead where his youngest son, J. H.
L. Roe now resides. Of the old settlers on the same street, now gone,
who have left descendants there, were Joseph Watson, Nathan Cook,
Azur Raynor and Lucius Hibbard, and a little to the east lived Thomas
Armstrong, for several terms a member of State Senate, and Paul H
Davis, a man of marked characteristics yet of sterling integrity.
Thomas Armstrong settled in Butler in 1813. He was long the super-
visor, served as sheriff of Seneca county, and was the first sheriff of
Wayne county. He was in the Assembly six years and in the Senate
eight, and was a popular public officer.
Roger Olmsted settled near Wotcott village, and with his son built
some years afterward a saw and grist mill on Wolcott Creek. Abijah
Moore and his son had a distillery and grist mill on the same stream.
Other early settlers in the neighborhood were Simeon Merrill, sr. , John
Ward and John Harmon.
Maj, William Moulton, a Revolutionary officer, settled in 1810 on
600 acres granted him for military services near the center of the town.
He was a decorous gentleman of the old school, and wore a powdered
queue, cocked hat, top boots, and white headed cane. His estate in-
432 LANDMARKS OF
eluded Armstrong Hill, the highest elevation in town. He was a land
surveyor, and gave special attention to the cultivation of fruit.
Horace and Noah Peck were early settlers, and in 1815 sold out to
Edward Bivins and his father-in-law, Benjamin Hall, who came in the
spring of 1816. Abner Bivins, the father and a Revolutionary soldier,
and James, a brother, removed hither a few years later, as did also
Joshua, Elias, Stephen and Peter Hall, brothers of Benjamin, and their
father, Thomas. The road from South Butler to Wolcott was first
called East street, and probably the first settler upon it was Capt. Peter
Mills, who was the first man to die in the town, and who was succeeded
by his son, Daniel Mills. John Foot lived near him, and about two
miles north resided Aaron Hopkins.
( >ther prominent settlers were David Sprague, the father of two chil-
dren, of whom Charles W. was one; James Davis, a tailor; Daniel Rog-
ers, a lineal descendant of John Rogers the martyr; Welcome Cole,
who died in March, 1883; Abram Gibbs, who died November 11, 1891,
aged eighty-one; Prentice Cushman, who lived in South Butler more
than forty years and died in May, 1801; James M. Jenkins, a local M.
E. preacher, who died in 1879; Horatio Wood, for twenty years a mag-
istrate and the father of Noah Wood, who died in 1860; Jason Under-
bill, sr. , who died in May, 1889; Deacon Isaac Miner, born in Connec-
ticut in 1792, settled in Butler early, and died in Rose in December,
1891 ; Micajah Aldrich, father of Edward A. ; Chester Lee, son of Lv-
man; Washington Ellinwood, son in-law of Lyman Lee; Joseph Brews-
ter, who died in Clyde; Samuel Thompson, who had six children and
died in 1852; Benjamin Kellogg, the grandfather of William B. ; Will-
iam McKoon, a typical pioneer and a local M. E. preacher, who was
succeeded on the homestead by his son Jairus; Milton Town, who died
in 1882, son of Silas; Samuel C. Pomeroy, who died in April, 1891;
Seth Craw and John Draft.
Ransom Loveless, sr. , born in Johnstown, N. Y., in 1791, came to
Butler in 1816, and died in August, 1864. His son, Ransom, jr., born
here in 1818, succeeded to the homestead. Another son was Columbus
Loveless. Nathaniel W. Tompkins became a merchant in Wolcott in
1835, but in 1841 settled on a farm in Butler. William H. Peck was
born in L821, located in Galen in 1840, removed to Wolcott in 1883, and
died there in October, 1886. Joel B. Bishop, the father of Benjamin,
came to Rose about 1812, but later moved to Butler and died in March,
1875, aged seventy-five. Abijah Upham, born in Saratoga county in
WAYNE COUNTY. 183
L795, served in the War of L812, and removed hither from Victory,
X. V., in L825. He died in February, 1881. John Kellogg, a native of
Massachusetts, came to Butler when nine years old and died on the
homestead May 25, 1876, aged seventy-four. Israel J. Clapp settled
here in 1822 and died in December, 1802. He was born in Massachu-
setts in June, 1796, served in the War of 1812, and was a carpenter by
trade. He was prominent in town affairs. About 1829 Ransom Ward
opened a store in a frame building a half mile west of West Butler,
which was the first mercantile establishment in town, but it was soon
discontinued.
Hon. Thomas Johnson, born in Saratoga county in 1814, came to
Butler from Mexico, N. Y. , when twenty years of age and lived with
his uncle, Thomas Armstrong. He was a school teacher, farmer, and
town superintendent of schools, and served in the Assembly in 1856-
57. Two of his sons enlisted in the 9th Heavy Artillery. Mr. John-
son died January 23, 1890.
Ezekiel Scott, previously mentioned, served six years in the Revolu-
tionary War, and settled on the Scott homestead in this town in 1812.
Upon the formation of the township he was one of a committee of three
to choose an appropriate name, and Butler was selected in honor of
Gen. William Butler, an officer of the Revolution. A. C. Scott, a
grandson of Ezekiel, died February 28, 1890, in the house where he
was born.
Jacob S. Viele purchased a farm of 300 acres near the center of the
town in 1819 and erected at Butler Center a saw mill that did a large
business for more than forty years. About the same time Simon S.
Viele, a brother, located on a farm a mile or so north ; his eldest son,
Stephen S., a lawyer, was murdered at Seneca Falls in 1860.
In 1858 the town had 15,316 acres of improved land, real estate as-
sessed at $580,494:, personal property at $21,850, 1,126 male and 1,099
female inhabitants, 414 dwellings, 438 families, 360 freeholders, twelve-
school districts and 815 school children, 981 horses, 1,766 oxen and
calves, 1,024 cows, 4,898 sheep, and 1,647 swine. There were produced
16,462 bushels winter and 140,631 bushels spring wheat, 2,557 tons hay,
i;,li()6 bushels potatoes, 51,981 bushels apples, 97,571 pounds butter,
15,112 pounds of cheese, and 1,750 yards domestic cloth.
In 1890 the population was 1,836, or 425 less than in 1880. In 1893
the assessed value of land was $690,620 (equalized $728,949) ; village
and mill property, $72,119 (equalized $81,609); personal property,
434 LANDMARKS OF
$44,820. Schedule of taxes, L893: Contingent fund, $912.77; town
poor, $150; roads and bridges, $100; school tax, $782.61; county tax,
$1,872.48; State tax, $1,031.83; State insane tax, $266.19; dog tax,
$54.50. Total tax levy, $5,733.69; rate per cent., .00710002. The
town has two election districts and in 1880 polled :i"»4 votes.
The tirst school in the town was taught in the summer of IS 11 by
Miss Mary Woodruff a little north of West Butler. In the winter fol-
lowing Wheeler Wellman, son of Paul, taught the second school in a
log school house standing between his father's house and that of Eli
Wheeler's. The town now has ten school districts with a school house
in each, which were taught in L892-3 by twelve teachers and attended
by :544 scholars. The school buildings and sites are valued at $5,875;
assessed value of districts, $577,290; public money received from the
State, $1,454.69; raised by local tax, $1,674.65. The principal of the
South Butler Union school is Prof. H. A. Maynard.
During the War of the Rebellion the town of Butler sent 135 of her
brave and loyal citizens to fight the nation's battles. All of them did
valiant service. The organizations to which they belonged are detailed
in a preceding chapter.
South Butler village lies near the center of the extreme south part
of the town of Savannah. Prior to 1830 it was known as Harrington's
Corners. William Shedd opened a small store just over the line in
Savannah about 1830 and was soon succeeded by Oman King, who gave
the place the name of King's Corners. Through his efforts a Sunday
school and a Presbyterian Church were organized. Mr. King died in
L841, and was succeeded by Sylvester Pomeroy, with whom his kinsman,
Samuel C. Pomeroy, afterward United States Senator from Kansas,
was associated. Sylvester Pomeroy died in 1845 and was followed by
Henry K. Graves, who died January 1, L879. Mr. Graves was super-
visor several years and a member of Assembly. In 1839 O. H.Wheeler
and Samuel B. Tucker built a saw mill, which finally passed to Brad-
way & Crofoot, who also had a stave and shingle mill and a cooperage.
Soon afterward a post-office was established under the name of South
Butler and the name of the village was made to correspond. Dr.
Clarendon Campbell was the first postmaster. Another founder of the
place was John Smith, who opened streets, laid out and sold building
lots, and erected a store, etc. In the latter he placed his son, who soon
died, and was succeeded by Zebulon Ross, who was followed by John E.
Hough, About L850 a grist mill was removed hither from Pineville by
WAYNE COUNTY. |:;;.
John Seymour, who sold to J. Richmond. It passed to David R.
Hamilton and son William, then to Lyman H. Dratt, and in ls'l I to
Mr. Hinds, in whose possession it was burned February 9, L875. The
present grist mill is owned by C. A. Coleman. Samuel West was an
early blacksmith, having a shop that was burned where Frank Maguire's
shop afterward stood. In 1846 Griffin Green started a tannery that
went down several years ago. A hotel was built and opened at an
early day, of which Abram Dratt was proprietor.
About 1877 Thomas S. Law established the bluing manufactory now
conducted by his son Arthur E. Azel C. Hough recently began the
manufacture of a cash recorder, of which he is the inventor and patentee.
In 1867 Dr. Jerome Hibbard commenced making cheese boxes here,
and established the present extensive Hibbard basket works, in which
at one time more than 100 hands were employed, the present number
being from twenty-five to thirty. He was also the inventor of the
Hibbard farm gate in 1868. Dr. Hibbard was born in February, 1830,
and died here April 4, 1888. He was a graduate in 1861 of the College
of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city and an assistant surgeon
in a Virginia hospital during the war.
South Butler village now contains, besides the above, a hotel, two
general stores, a drug store, a post-office and confectionery store, two
blacksmith shops, a hardware store, three milliners, two wagon shops,
one grist mill, a district school, four churches, two or three physicians,
and about 360 inhabitants. The postmaster is George W. Pangburn,
who succeeded De Witt C. Wheeler.
Butler Center, so called from its geographical position, had its
nucleus in the saw mill of Jacob S. Viele in 1819. Afterward a fulling
and carding mill was built, but was long since discontinued. The pres-
ent saw and feed mill is owned by Joseph H. Potter. Besides this the
place contains two stores, a blacksmith shop, school, one church, post-
office, and small cluster of dwellings. Abel Wing, a long time mer-
chant here, was postmaster for several years and was succeeded recentl}'
by A. M. Armstrong.
West Butler, in the western part of the town, was originally called
Murray's Corners, and is now frequently termed Cider Hill. It formerly
had a post-office, which was discontinued in June, 1881. It is merely a
small rural hamlet.
Churches. — A Baptist church was organized in Butler as earlv as
1824. In 1825 Rev. Luther Goodrich was installed as pastor, and about
436 LANDMARKS OF
L830 was succeeded by Rev. Isaac D. Hosford. June 26, L834, the
Baptist church of Butler and Savannah was regularly constituted at
South Butler by Rev. Rowell Osborne with about fifteen members.
Rev. Mr. Hosford was the first pastor and Ames Winnegar the first
clerk. The first and present frame house of worship was erected in
1850 at a cost of $1,200, and in that year a Sunday school was organized.
The society has about eighty members under the pastoral charge of
Rev. Levi R. Reynolds. The superintendent of the Sunday school is
Mrs. James Foster.
The Presbyterian church of Butler was organized in 1831 under the
Presbytery of Geneva. In 1836 they built at South Butler the first
church edifice in the town. Among the earlier pastors or supplies were
Revs. William Clark, Gelston, Samuel R. Ward (colored), Lewis C.
Lockwood, and James Gregg. In 1853 Rev. Antoinette L. Brown, the
first woman regularly ordained to theministry in the State, was installed
pastor "by a speech from Gerritt Smith." Soon afterward the society
languished and finally ceased to exist. Their old church is now used
as a dwelling.
The Disciples Church of South Butler originally consisted of eleven
members, among whom were John Dratt and wife, Lyman Hill and
sister (Mrs. Chapin), Israel J. Clapp and wife, and a Mr. Comstock.
Mr. Dratt was the elder. The meetings were first held in an old tan-
nery, and for some time in school houses. This church, first designated
" Campbellite," then "Disciples," and later " Christian, " was instituted
about 1831. They denied Scriptural authority for ordaining or setting
apart any one as a minister or preacher, or as specially authorized to
administer the rites of the church, such as baptism and the Lord's
supper; and maintained that a hired ministry and the "paying for
preaching" were unnecessary. This dogma was therefore practiced
upon. They organized themselves into a congregation of baptized be-
lievers, and any one of them might perform the duties of the church.
Their first meeting house, which cost about $800, was sold to the
Advents. In 1861 the present edifice in South Butler was erected at
an expense of $3,000. The first located minister was Josiah I. Lowell,
who remained until his death in L858. The first Sunday school was
organized by Dr. M. F. Sweeting about is,">.">, with fifty pupils. The
present pastor is Rev. Mr. Applegate. The society has L 70 members.
The Seeoiid Advent church was organized at South Butler in L861.
The old church edifice of the Disciples was purchased and used as a
WAYNE COUNTY 437
place of worship. They still maintain regular services and a Sabbath
school. The local preacher is E. P. Stevens.
The Methodist Protestant church of South Butler was erected in L879
with Rev. A. L. Stinnard in charge. Prior to his appointment a class
was organized at the house of R. H. Arnold, with twelve members,
and with Arthur Skinner as leader. The first church services were held
in a hall over the hardware store, and the first cpiarterly meeting con-
vened here June 3 and 4, 1880. The Baptist church was leased and
later the Advent church was used, and in 1881 Rev. W. H. Bentley be-
came pastor. Their frame edifice was erected that year and dedicated
in August by Rev. M. Prindle. It cost about $2,500. The present pastor
is Rev. Hale Gardner. The society owns a parsonage and has about
forty members.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Butler Center was erected prior
to or about 183G and belonged to the Rose circuit, for on the records is
the following entry: "The first quarterly meeting was held in the
Methodist chapel. Butler Center, December 3, 1836. Present — Isaac
Stone, presiding elder; Burrow Holmes, preacher in charge; Joseph
Byron, assistant; John Roe, secretary; Thomas Roberts and Daniel
Smith, local preachers; Austin Roe and Francis R. Nichols, exhorters.
Class leaders: M. Smith, Paul- H. Davis, James Cosgrove, William
Wadsworth, Thomas West, Russell Rusco, Thaddeus Collins, Benja-
min Jenkins, Joel H. Lee, James Park, Amos Aldrich."
The society owns a frame parsonage and a cemetery plat adjoining
the church lot. The membership numbers about ninety and Rev. C.
C. Tucker is pastor. F. R. Pierson is Sunday school superintendent.
A Methodist Episcopal church was built at a very early day on the
present site of the Disciples parsonage at South Butler. It was finallv
moved to Savannah village, where its frame forms that of the M. E.
church building" there.
PART II.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
CHARLES T. SAXTON.
Charles T. Saxton, attorney in Clyde, Wayne county, N. Y., and nominee in 1894
of the Republican party for lieutenant-governor of the State of New York, was born in
Clyde in 1846. He is a son of Daniel Saxton, -who was for nearly fifty years a respected
citizen of Clyde, and who died in 1891. His advantages for securing an early education
were very limited. After attending district school until he was fourteen years old, he
worked about a year as clerk in a dry goods store. He was ambitious to go to college,
and with that purpose in view studied Greek while working as clerk. He hoped to be
able to fit himself to enter college and then work his way through. But the breaking
out of the war changed his plans. It required very little consideration by him to arrive
at a determination to enlist, and he did so, with a few of his young companions, joining
the 90th New York Infantry soon after the conflict began and went with the regiment
to East New York, where he remained until January 5, 1862. From there the regiment
proceeded to Key West, Fla. Mr. Saxton was then only fifteen years old. In the
miserable Florida barracks the regiment was attacked by yellow fever and 200 of its
number died. In the summer of 1863 the regiment went to Port Hudson and in the
siege of that place experienced its first taste of real war. Then followed the Red River
campaign, in which Mr. Saxton won the rank of sergeant-major. At Pleasant Valley,
Cox's Plantation, and other engagements the 90th Regiment served with credit. After
this the regiment was not engaged until the summer of 1864, when they were ordered
to Washington, where they joined Sheridan and shared in the glorious Shenandoah
Valley campaign. The extreme marches and field privations of this campaign caused
Mr. Saxton's severe illness, and he was sent to a Washington hospital with a fair
assurance that he would not leave it alive. But he is of sturdy stuff and was soon
afterward sent home on a furlough, tipping the scales at 114 pounds; his present weight
is 225 pounds. Forty days later he was again ready for the field. At the close of the
war his regiment was ordered to Hawkinsville, Ga., where they were kept until
February, 1866. On February 19 they were ordered to Hart's Island and mustered out,
four years and three months after Mr. Saxton's enlistment.
Returning from the war, still young and ambitious to enter a profession, Mr. Saxton
began the study of law in the office of Vandenberg & Baker in Clyde and studied night
and day until his admission to the bar in 1867. He was only twenty-one years old at
A
4 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
this time, and married soon after his admission to the bar with no other expectations of
income other than what he might earn by hard labor. He went with his wife to Grand
Rapids, Mich., and opened an office. Partly on account of his wife's desire to live
among friends they returned to Clyde and he formed a partnership with John L. Crane,
which existed two years. In 1876 he formed a partnership with his old teacher in law,
John Vandenberg, of Clyde, and for the succeeding seventeen years they worked har-
moniously and successfully together until the death of Mr. Vandenberg in the spring of
1894. A quick thinker, a concise, eloquent and effective speaker, Mr. Saxton early
attracted attention in his profession, and he attained unusual success. A Republican in
politics, he identified himself with the work of his party, and his talents were soon
recognized. After holding the offices of village clerk in Clyde, trustee and president of
the village, and justice of the peace, he was elected in 188G to the State Assembly, re-
ceiving the largest majority the district ever gave a candidate for that office. He was
one of the readiest and most conspicuous debaters in the Legislature and served with
special credit and ability on the Judiciary Committee. He was elected to the Legislature
in 1888 and 1889 ; was chairman in both years of the Judiciary Committee, and under-
took to secure the passage of his famous ballot-reform measure. His well-directed
efforts, his eloquent speeches, and his untiring labors were finally crowned with success.
In the fall of 188D he was elected to the State Senate and was re elected without op-
position in 1891. In that body, as in the Assembly, he occupied a conspicuous position,
not only in the councils of his own party, but in the promotion of many important
measures. In 1891 he secured the enactment of the ballot-reform bill, which embodied
the main features of the Australian ballot system ; but he was forced to accept it in an
imperfect form by the opposition of the other political adherents. In 1888 he had
charge in the Assembly of the bill providing that the death penalty should be inflicted
by electricity, which became a law the same year. In 1891 he framed and introduced
a corrupt practices Act, which defined offenses against the elective franchise and re-
quired, among other things, the publication by candidates of their election expenses.
This is the first act of the kind ever placed on the statute books of any American State;
and he has never ceased his efforts to supply the deficiencies of that law, but thus far
without marked success. In the fall of 1893 he was again elected to the Senate for the
third time by a plurality of 8,500, and by the unanimous expression of his Republican
colleagues was made temporary president and leader of the majority. Mr. Saxton's
career in the last session of the Legislature is well known. It was marked by the same
untiring activity, adherence to what he believed to be for the best interests of the State,
and his eloquent advocacy of those measures which made that session conspicuous. In
the fall of 1894, and while this volume is in press, Mr. Saxton was made a candidate of
his party for the office of lieutenant-governor, with Levi P. Morton for governor, and
the ticket has been unanimously nominated at Saratoga, and elected on the 6th day of
November. This election forces Mr. Saxton to resign his office in the Senate.
Senator Saxton is noted for his brilliant advocacy in the Legislature of those measures
designed to promote the moral and intellectual advancement of the people at large.
Among the many bills of general interest introduced by him, which are now upon the
statute books,, are the university-extension bill, the anti-pool room bill, and the bill
Styju~ W. Wtiei
(XA**s&
BIOGRAPHICAL. r,
regulating gifts for charitable purposes, which is designed to prevent the failure of such
great public charities as that contemplated by the will of the late Samuel J. Tilden. lie
is recognized throughout the State as one of the most popular and effective of the
campaign speakers.
In 1892 Mr. Saxton was chosen honorary chancellor of Union College, Schenectady,
and delivered the chancellor's address to the graduating class, receiving the degree
of LL.D.
Mr. Saxton is a prominent member of the G. A. R.. in which he has been commander
of two different Posts, a member of the Department Council of Administration, and was
delegate- at-large from this department to the National Encampment of 1894.
Mr. Saxton's marriage took place in 1868 to Helen M., daughter of Ambrose S.
Field. They have four children.
STEPHEN K. WILLIAMS.
Stephen K. Williams was born in Bennington, Vt. His father was Richard P.
Williams, a successful physician of that place. His mother was Lucy Fletcher, of Lud-
low, Vt. When he was four years old his family, consisting of his father, mother, and
older brother Fletcher and himself, removed to Newark, N. Y., where Stephen K. has
since resided. His father, Richard P. Williams, practiced his profession of physician and
surgeon several years, but finally retired from practice on account of ill health, and died
several years ago. His mother, Lucy F. Williams, died recently at the age of ninety-five
years. His brother, Fletcher Williams, is a banker at Newark, and president of the First
National Bank, of which he is the founder.
Mr. Williams's ancestors on his father's side came from Wales. His mother's name
was Keyes. His mother's brothers, Elijah and Timothy Fletcher, of Lynchburg, Va.,
and Michael, Calvin and Stoughton A. Fletcher, of Indianapolis, Ind., were prominent
men in the States where they lived.
Stephen K. Williams was from childhood a student, attending the common school at
Bennington, Vt, when three years of age. He is indebted to his father, who taught
him on winter evenings not only the common branches, but also the beginning of Latin
and Greek, for the foundation of his education. At ten years of age his father sent him
back to Bennington to attend the academy for a year, during which time he studied
Latin and other branches. On his return the remainder of his academic education was
obtained in the Palmyra, N. Y., Academy. He entered Union College at Schenectady
at the age of fifteen years, one year in advance, being the second or sophomore year
took the classical course, and graduated at eighteen. While in college heustood among
the first in a class of about 125 and at the end of his course there received the honorary
election as member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, and was also one of the members of
his class selected to deliver an oration on Commencement day. He has since received
from Union College the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.
On his graduation from college he spent part of a year in Adrian, Mich., with his
father, buying wheat. He then returned to Newark, N. Y., and, as his father had
6 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
selected the profession of law for him, he entered the law office of Hon. Lyman Sher-
wood, county judge, as a student; and after remaining there about a year, finished his
law studies in the office of George H. Middleton, an able and accomplished attorney, and
on his admission to the bar was offered and accepted a partnership with Mr. Middleton
in the law business, with whom he remained several years. On Mr. Middleton being
elected county judge the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Williams opened a law office by
himself in Newark, where he has since resided.
M r. Williams has always been a devoted student and taking for his motto that " Genius
is labor," has exemplified it by hard labor in his office and has risen to the rank of one
of the most prominent lawyers in the State. He has always given close attention and
patient labor to his law cases and preparing them from his extensive law library, is quite
successful, and is always listened to with attention in the Circuit. Courts and in the
General Term of the Supreme Court, and in the Court of Appeals.
Mr. Williams has also during a part of his life been a politician and interested him-
self actively in the advancement of his party. He was district attorney for Wayne
county for three years. He declined other political preferment for some time, but at
length yielding to the solicitations of his friends, he was elected State senator for the
25lh district including the counties of Wayne and Cayuga, in 1864, and performed his
duties in that body with such acceptance to his constituents that he was twice re-elected,
holding the office six successive years. He gave the same ardent and industrious effort
to the duties of his political positions, as to his private practice in his profession. While
in the political field Mr. Williams was recognized as a factor of influence in his county
and throughout the State. He for a long time enjoyed the intimate friendship of Will-
iam H. Seward (of Cayuga county), one of the counties represented by Mr. Williams
in the Senate, especially while Mr.* Seward was secretary of state in President Lincoln's
and President Johnson's administrations. Mr. Williams was in Albany, as senator, at
the time of President Lincoln's assassination and took part in the ceremonies attending
the reception of the president's body in that city on its wav to the tomb in Springfield
111.
Mr. Williams was active in forwarding legislation in support of the government and
in raising troops during the war. He was a member of the County War Committee and
president of the Town War Committee, and freely devoted his time and energies to the
raising of and care for the volunteers during the great struggle.
Mr. Williams was president of the Sodus Point and Southern Railroad Company while
that road was in process of construction and until its completion, and contributed largely
to its building. The completion of this road was the commencement of the permanent
giowth of the village of Newark and it has ever since been a principal factor in the ex.
ceptional advancement and prosperity of that village.
In 1882 Mr. Williams became the editor of the United States Supreme Court Reports,
published by the Lawyers' Co-operative Publishing Company, of Rochester, and has
since, with the exception of one year, acceptably filled this responsible position. In
that year he went to Washington and inaugurated the necessary arrangements for the
publishing of these reports, and while there became acquainted with Chief Justice Waite
and the other members of that court. This edition is now in thirty-eight volumes, each
one containing four of the official volumes.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Mr. Williams has always kept up his law practice at Newark and is a partner with
his son, Byron C. Williams, in that business.
Mr. Williams married Angeline Crane, daughter of Judge Zenas S. Crane, of Mont-
clair, N. J., who is now living. They have five children : Byron C, above mentioned,
Sarah Elizabeth, Frances J., Ida, and Cora May, all of whom except Ida A. are living.
JOHN HENRY CAMP
Was a native of Tompkins county, N. Y., and was born in Ithaca April 4, 1840.
His father was Frederick M. Camp, who removed soon after the birth of his son to
Trumansburg, where he died. His mother was Sarah (Piatt) Camp, who was nearly
related to Hon. Thomas C. Piatt; she died in Trumansburg in January, 1894. The
other children of this family besides John H. were Mrs. Frank H. Griswold, of Auburn,
(a half sister), Mrs. George M. Patten, of Bath, Me., and the late Mrs. David S. Biggs,
of Trumansburg.
John H. Camp attended the academy in his native county where he won his first
laurels as an orator and debater, and afterwards entered the Albany Law School from
which he graduated with honor. Following this he spent a short time in Mr. Bishop's
law office in Rochester, whence he came to Lyons where the number of attorneys then
seemed less in proportion to population than in most localities. He opened an office
with the late R. W. Ashley, but in 1863 was appointed by Judge George W. Cowles to
take charge of the surrogate's office. This position soon gave him opportunity to form
a valuable acquaintanceship in all parts of Wayne county, which was of great service to
him in later years. He remained in that office under Judge L. M. Norton also ; but it
should not be understood that he acted as "surrogate's clerk," as he preferred to feel
free to keep up the practice of his profession. Clients sought him frequently and he
soon gained a considerable practice, in which he met with gratifying success. He was
an eloquent speaker, peculiarly persuasive and courteous in his address, while his legal
ability and conscientious efforts for his clients rendered him a formidable opponent at
the bar. He early entered the political field, which had great attractions for him, and
he became one of the most popular and effective campaign speakers in the State.
In 1867 Mr. Camp was elected district attorney of Wayne county and served most
acceptably through an important term, the prosecution of the murderer Graham falling
to him — a case that attracted attention throughout the country. In 1872 Mr. Camp
was one of the Republican Presidential Electors, and secretary of the Electoral College.
During these years be was rapidly gaining political strength and prestige, and in 1877
he was elected to the 45th Congress, where he made a brilliant and successful record
for six years. He exerted a large influence in that legislative body and left a record in
every way worthy of his talent and character. It was while in Washington that the
persistent malady attacked him from which he was thenceforth to suffer.
Returning from his labors in Congress Mr. Camp was nominated in 1883 for the high
office of justice of the Supreme Court. His colleague on the judiciary ticket, Hon. W.
8 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
D. Stuart, of Rochester, had inclined the enmity of many members of the Monroe
county bar, which led to the formation of an association of lawyers to defeat the Re-
publican nominees. This action in combination with the wave of Democratic success
growing out of the Folger-Cleveland campaign, and the popularity of the Democratic
candidates, was sufficient to defeat the opposing nominees in a district that is regularly
Republican. There was also treachery in his own county that contributed to defeat
Mr. Camp, though he was reluctant to believe it. It was a disappointment, undoubtedly,
to Mr. Camp, but it was not an unmixed misfortune; for he entered with renewed
ardor into the practice of his profession and with most remarkable success. He worked
hard and his great ability, his power as an advocate, his versatility and unbounded con-
fidence in himself, rendered him a legal antagonist to be feared. Admitting to partner-
ship, I. W. Dunwell, a young attorney who was destined to attain eminence in the
profession, the firm became favorably known not only throughout Wayne county, but
far beyond its bounds. His partnership with Mr. Dunwell began in 1877, continued till
Mr. ("amp's death, and was one of the strongest in this part of the State. The New
York Central Railroad Company and other large corporations sought the services of the
firm, and their practice became very large and lucrative.
His passion for politics again prompted Mr. Camp to enter the field, not as a candidate
for office, but as a controlling factor through Wayne county and a powerful influence in
the western part of the State. His talents were readily recognized by the State leaders
and in all important councils his presence and voice were sought. For years he was
intimately associated with Thomas C. Piatt, by whom he was implicitly trusted, and in
1891 when age compelled Hon. John N. Knapp to relinquish the chairmanship of the
State Committee, Mr. Camp was placed on the committee and would have been given
the chairmanship had not his increasing ill health interfered.
Throughout Mr. Camp's political career he exhibited the qualities of the born general
in that field. He was personally affable, courteous to all, and created a favorable im-
pression upon every one with whom he came in contact. Those who once acknowl-
edged his leadership, were reluctant to abandon it. He never refused a favor that he
could properly grant, and never forgot a promise however insignificant. No citizen of
Wayne county ever equaled him in the extent of his political connections and influence
outside of his own county. Generous, honorable, a charming talker, with social quali-
ties that endeared him to his friends, he was a personality that will not soon be for-
gotten.
Mr. Camp was married in 1864 to Yictoria R. Drummond, of Bath, Me., to whose
love and devotion he was often heard to credit much of his success in life. They had
two children, one of whom, Frederick Mortimer Camp, died in infancy. Mrs. Camp
and a daughter, Mrs. Charles W. Armour, survive him. Mr. Camp's death occurred on
October 12, 1892, at his home in Lyons.
At a meeting of the Bar Association of Wayne county, October 14, 1892, a committee
consisting of Hon. Charles T. Saxton, Stephen K. Williams, and Charles McLouth, was
named to prepare a suitable memorial of Mr. Camp. This memorial (prepared by Mr.
McLouth), was reported at the annual meeting of the association, held November 14,
1892, and from it the following brief extracts are taken:
BIOGRAPHICAL. 9
Coming to this bar in the first flush of professional life, his incisure at once displayed
itself, and every member of the bar acknowledged his fitness for the place. So without
seeming to lead, he easily led, and without crowding his way, it opened to him. His
industry was great — his preparation great — his advocacy great — and his labor tireless.
American lawyers are not prone to yield to leadership, but th*y are not ungenerous to
merit nor indifferent to success. No one sulked over Mr. Camp's triumphs. He won
by hard work, or by merit of his case, or by strategy, and he combined them all. .
He fought as fiercely against bodily infirmities, when any other might have succumbed
to the first assault, as for his clients. His location, his standing, his power over juries
his industry, his acquaintance, all combined to place him largely on the plaintiff's side,
and the great proportion of cases are with the plaintiff in all courts. And withal he
largely won. He adored and adorned his profession ; and what more can be said of a
lawyer? A grounded lawyer, a wise counselor, a fierce but fair antagonist, a born ad-
vocate, a loyal friend, he laid down his life in the midst of years, in the flush of profes-
sional power, in the zenith of fame.
On this occasion feeling tributes were paid to Mr. Camp's life and memory by various
leading members of the bar.
EZRA A. EDGETT.
The parents of Ezra A. Bdgett settled in Oneida county when he was twelve years
old, removing from Greene county where he was born November 21, 1828. He re-
ceived his education in the district and select schools of Oneida county, and removed
with his family to Wayne county in 1865. He possessed excellent business qualifica-
tions and early engaged in the preserving business, founded the Wayne County Pre-
serving Company and was in the business more than thirty years. Conducting his
business upon principles of integrity, he was successful in a material sense and gained
the respect of the community. On December 16, 1856, he married Harriet C. Marvin,
of Camden, Oneida county, and they have had four children, as follows; James C, who
was associated in the business of his father; married Anna L. Wilcox, of Port Gibson,
N. Y., and has one son, Oliver. Edith M. married William R. Conover and resides in
Boston; has one daughter, Halla. Mary L. resides with her mother ; and George, who
died in infancy. Mr. Edgett died January 30, 1889. Since his death the preserving
business has been carried on by his widow and Edwin K. Burnham, at Newark.
S. N. SAWYER.
The subject of this sketch is a son of Samuel W. Sawyer and Hannah Nelson Sawyer.
Samuel W. Sawyer was born in Camden, N. Y., in 1821, and removed to Macedon,
N. Y., in childhood. He settled in Palmyra about the year 1840, and has since resided
there. He has served as assessor, as trustee, and as president of the vilfage.
S. N. Sawyer was born in Palmyra October 6, 1853, and received his education in the
Classical Union School of his native place, and at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass.,
in LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
graduating in 1877. Having determined to adopt the profession of law, he studied in
the office of S. B. Mclntyre, of Palmyra, and attended the Albany Law School, from
which he graduated in 1883, and at once formed a partnership with the late David S.
Aldrich, under the firm name of Aldrich & Sawyer. This firm continued in business
until January 1, 1889, after which Mr. Sawyer practiced alone until July 1, 1893, when
he organized the firm of Sawyer & Tinklepaugh, which is still in existence.
Mr. Sawyer is an active Republican in politics, and a public spirited and enterprising
citizen. He served as justice of the peace one term ; was clerk of the village from
September, 1884, to April, 1893, when he was elected president of the village, and
re-elected in 1894. In these positions he has fully met the expectations and approbation
of his fellow citizens.
In the fall of 1888 he was elected district attorney of the county, served his term and
was re-elected. In this responsible position he has succeeded in wirining an unusual
proportion of the cases that have come into his charge. He was three years secretary
of the New York State League Building and Loan Association and is now a director in
the Wayne Building and Loan Association and its counsel.
Mr. Sawyer is a prominent member of the Masonic order; is past master of Palmyra
Lodge No. 248; past high priest of Palmyra Eagle Chapter No. 79, R. A. M.; past master
of Palmyra Council No. 21, R. & S. M.; past commander of Zenobia Commandery No.
41, K. T.; past district deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of this State ; and he
is now (1894) chief commissioner of appeals of the Grand Lodge of the State.
On October 20, 1885, Mr. Sawyer married Augusta, daughter of Rev. John G.
Webster, of Palmyra, and they have two daughters.
OLIVER HURD ALLERTON
Was born in Amenia, Dutchess county, N. Y., on the 17th of April, 1816. His
father was Samuel W. Allerton, who was also a native of Amenia, where he was born,
December 5, 1785. He was educated in the district schools of his native town, and in
the select school of Rev. Dr. Barnett, a Presbyterian minister. His father and his
grandfather were both professional men, studied medicine and practiced as physicians.
His father was Doctor Reuben Allerton, and was a surgeon in the Revolutionary
war, and was present at the battle of Saratoga and surrender of Burgoyne. From the
surgeon of the British general he received a portion of his instruments, which are still
in the possession of the family. The ancestry of this family is clearly traceable
through eight generations from the Mayflower and came from England. Samuel W.
Allerton was a farmer and married Hannah Hurd, of Amenia, and they had nine chil-
dren, four sons and five daughters, all living as follows: Cornelia, Amarillys, Henry R.,
now a resident of Newark, N. Y., Orville H. (the subject), Amanda H., Byron (see
personal sketch in later pages of this volume), Rebecca II., Lois J. and Samuel W.
Samuel W., sr., settled in Benton, Yates county, in 1842. In 1849 the family removed
into Wayne county, and carried on farming fifteen years. Mr. Allerton resided in
1'. I ((GRAPHICAL. 1!
Newark village after that until his death in August, 1885, when he lacked only three
months and twenty-five days of being 100 years old.
Cornelia Allerton married Walter Sherman of Dutchess county ; Amarillys married
Shadrack Sherman of the same county. Henry R. is a resident of Newark village,
where his sister, Mrs. Taber, has charge of his household. Amanda H. married Will-
iam Taber. Byron married Helen Sherman of Dutchess county. Rebecca H. and
Lois J. reside with their brother, Henry R. in Newark. Samuel W. married first
Pamelia Thompson, and second, Agnes Thompson, and lives in Chicago.
Orville Hurd Allerton attended district and select schools of Dr. Lenord, also the
Amenia Seminary until he was about thirteen years of age, when he began business
life in a store in Nassau, N. Y., with an uncle. He early evinced a taste for mercan-
tile pursuits and served as clerk for twelve years, his last engagement being in Elmira
with the well-known John Arnot. During this long period he acquired a thorough
knowledge of business principles and laid a foundation of character, integrity and in-
dustry which enabled him in later years to reach a high measure of success. Coming
to Newark, N. Y., in 1842 he began a mercantile career, which continued twenty-five
years By the exercise of the qualities just named, with proper economy, he gained a
competence.
At the close of his mercantile career he went to Pittsburgh, Pa., as superintendent
of the Pennsylvania stock yards, a position of great responsibility and liberal compen-
sation. He remained there seventeen years, when he retired, after over fifty years of
active business life, in the enjoyment of the entire confidence and esteem of his em-
ployers. He was succeeded in the position by his son, Orville H., jr.
About the year 1881 his family returned to Newark, where he soon afterward built
the most imposing residence in the village, and has since lived a life of retirement from
active business.
On January 15, 1845, he married Eliza A. Dean, of Dresden, Yates county, N. Y.,
and they have had two children : Clarence, who died at nine months of age, and Or-
ville H., jr. The latter was educated in the Newark Academy, and in business schools
in Poughkeepsie and Elmira; married Ida C. Leggett, of Newark, and has two children :
Ida May and Edith Marie.
Mr. Allerton is liberal minded and honorable in all his dealings and intercourse with
his fellow citizens, believing that "nothing is useful but what is honest," hence has no
love for demagogism of any kind. The man who made a thousand dollars a year by
attending to his own business, and a thousand dollars more by letting other people
alone, he believes is a good example to follow. Mr. Allerton is a Republican in politics,
but his own business interests have always prevented him from assuming activity in
the political field, except in local affairs. He is a public-spirited and respected citizen
in all the relations of life.
12 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
NICHOLAS MESTLER.
The subject of this sketch was bora in Bavaria, Germany, December 29, 1826, and
died on his homestead in the town of Arcadia, Wayne county, May 26, 1894. When
he was eight j^ears old he was taken by his parents to France, where he worked in fac-
tories and after his father's death supported his mother and the other children of the
family. He immigrated to this country in 1852, located first in Rochester, later in
Lyons, and still later in the town of Galen. On May 16, 1853, he married Barbara
Oswald, of Lyons, and after leaving Galen he purchased the farm where he passed the
remainder of his life. When he first occupied the place it was very much run down,
but by his industry and the aid of his wife and children, he made it one of the best and
most productive farms in the town. Mr. Mestler was a man of probity and good busi-
ness ability. He was the father of sixteen children, fourteen of whom lived to matu-
rity, as follows : Caroline, Mary M., Rosa B., Julia, Anna B., Henry J., Albert N.,
George H. (married Etta Parish and is in employ of the New York Central Railroad
Company), Philip L. (married Josephine Masters and has three children : Mertorr Roy
and George) ; Louis P. (married Lottie Snyder of Clyde and has two children : Harris
and Meda) ; he is also employed by the New York Central Railroad Company ; Cath-
arine M. (married Charles Thompson of Lyons and they have three children : Edna,
Clarence and David ) ; Susanna P. (married William Dayton of Newark, and they have
one daughter, Lillie M.); Sarah J. (married John C. Cook of Newark, and they have
two children : Robert and William) ; and William R. (married Ada Smith of Rochester
and is a bookkeeper of that city.)
EDWIN K. BURNHAM
Is a native of Vermont, where he was born in Randolph, September 8, 1839. He is a
son of Ammi Burnham and Lucy (Young) Burnham, and one of thirteen children, eleven
of whom were born to the wife named, and two to a second wife. Four of these
children are now living. Ammi Burnham was a farmer and brickmaker, a man of more
than common intelligence, and was elected to the Vermont State Legislature in .1851.
Edwin K. Burnham attended district school and afterwards the academy in Royalton,
Vt., finishing his studies in the Orange County (Vt.) Grammar School. The call to
arms in the war of the Rebellion found him ready to respond, and in 1862 he enlisted in
Company C of the 15th Vermont Infantry. He participated in the great Gettysburg
battle and received an honorable discharge in 1863 with the rank of sergeant. In the
spring of 1864 he graduated from the Albany Law School and was admitted to practice
in the courts of this State. In June of the same year he settled in Newark, N. Y.,
where he formed a law partnership with James E. Briggs, who was also a native of
Vermont. In September of that year he re-enlisted in the army, and on October 10,
1864, received a captain's commission in Company D, 111th Regiment of New York
Infantry, and left for the front. His regiment participated in the operations around
C/1/t-c-Av.-ctzd [//l&d-te&'l
BIOGRAPHICAL. i.3
Petersburg until he was taken prisoner, April 2, 1865. He was returned to his com-
mand on the 9th of April, the day on which Lee surrendered to Grant, and received his
honorable discharge June 4, 1865.
Returning to Newark Mr. Burnham entered upon active practice of his profession.
In 1872 he founded the Newark Union newspaper. In the fall of 1884 he was elected
to the State Legislature by the Democrats and was largely instrumental in the passage
of the bill establishing the custodial asylum for feeble-minded women, which was located
at Newark and is now a flourishing and useful institution; of this he is secretary and a
member of the Board of Trustees. In June, 1889, he was appointed superintendent of
public buildings, which position he filled with ability and honor. One of the first
innovations made by him was the rule that the national flag should float from the staff
on the capitol at Albany every week day through the year; this was the origin of that
other patriotic movement for the display of the flag on public school buildings in this
State.
Mr. Burnham at the present time (1894) owns a one-half interest in the Wayne
County Preserving Company at Newark and has twenty acres devoted to fruit and
vegetable growing. He has served as supervisor of the town four terms, and as justice
of the peace eight years. It will be seen that he has found various interests to draw
him to some extent away from his profession ; but he has always retained his love for it
and has never relinquished active practice, in which he is recognized as an efficient and
honorable attorney.
On August 31, 1865, Mr. Burnham married Nancy A. Dillingham, a niece of Governor
Dillingham, of Vermont. They have had four children, one of whom died in infancy.
The others are : George A., Edwin D., and Helen E.
Mr. Burnham is a member of Vosburgh Post No. 99, G. A. R., of which he has been
commander four terms. He is also a member of Newark Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M.,
and of the order of Odd Fellows No. 250 ; of the A. 0. U. W. No. 17 ; and of the local
Grange.
LYMAN BICKFORD.
Lyman Bickford was born in East Bloomfield, November 1, 1820, Azariah Bickford,
his father, being a native of Maine. His grandfather, Rev. James P. Bickford, went to
Rochester in the year 1812, being one of the first settlers at that time. He afterward
removed to Michigan, where he died at the age of eighty- four years. Azariah Bickford
was a blacksmith by trade and started business in East Bloomfield. In 1819 he married
Philana Perkins, of the town of Victor, and their family consisted of nine children,
Lyman B. being the eldest. Azariah Bickford died in 1886, aged eighty-four years.
Lyman Bickford is a machinist and has carried on business since 1842. At present he
is retired. April 28, 1842, he married Elvira Perkins, and they are the parents of three
children : Alary, who married Col. Henry P. TTnderhill, dying in her twenty-sixth year,
and two sons, deceased. Mr. Bickford is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Macedon
14 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Lodge No. 665. He is a member of the Universalist church. In politics he is a Democrat
and served as supervisor for five years. He was the founder of the Bickford &
Huffman Company, now doing business in Macedon village.
EDGAR D. MILLER.
Edgar D. Miller was born in Port Gibson, Ontario county, July 11, 1854, was edu-
cated in the district schools and Macedon Academy, also Genesee Wesleyan Seminary
at Lima, and also at Fort Edward Institute. He read law with Comstock & Bennett in
Canandaigua nearly two years, then went to the Albany Law School to complete his
studies, graduated, and was admitted to the bar in 1876. Since this he has continued
to practice his profession, sometimes with a partner, and at other times alone. Mr.
Miller has twice served as village clerk of the village of Newark, and two terms as a
justice of the peace of the town of Arcadia. He has served as county committeeman
several years, and has also been several times a delegate to Democratic State conven-
tions, which party he supports invariably. He was appointed superintendent of Section
No. 8, Erie Canal, by Hon. Edward Hannan, superintendent of public works, August
1, 1893. His father, James N., was born in Phelps November 22, 1819, and has been
a merchant, dealer in real estate, and a farmer. November 3, 1842, he married Mary
J. Turner, of the town of Manchester, and they had five children: Alice 0., wife of
David Gray; Frank, Dewilda, both who died young; and Audessa, wife of Edwin
Van Wormer, by whom she has one daughter, Ollie I., residing with her Grandfather
Miller. Mrs. Miller died October 24, 1890. Mr. Miller's father, Daniel, was born in
New Jersey in 1789 and came here with his parents when a boy. He married Jane
Gunnung, and they had eight children : Nancy A., Cynthia, James N., John J., Melissa,
Mary J., Caroline, William H., who died young; Edna, and Albert D., who is a farmer
on the homestead, which has been in the family without a break since the time of
Edgar D. Miller's great-grandfather, Jacob, who bought it of the government.
Daniel Miller died August 31, 1852, and his widow August 30, 1878. He was a
soldier of 1812.
JOHN STUERWALD.
Among the many Germans who have in the past left their own country for the freer
air and better conditions of America, was the father of John Stuerwald, and his wife,
Lena (Green) Stuerwald, with their children. Charles Stuerwald was born in 1817,
was a graduate of a college and a man of considerable prominence in his native country,
held the office of mayor of his town, and was otherwise honored. He died in 1891 and
his wife in 1893. John Stuerwald was born in Bavaria, Germany, March 2, 1848, and
was only two jears old when his parents emigrated and settled in Lock Berlin, Wayne
BIOGRAPHICAL. 15
county, N. Y. He was given good opportunity to secure an education, through the
district schools, with two years in the Union School and the academy at Clyde. At the
age of seventeen years he began teaching school, which he continued in the winters
until 1S71, during which period he was also employed a part of the time as clerk in
Lock Berlin. In 1872 he embarked in the furniture and undertaking business in East
Newark, which he continued with success six years, and then removed to Newark,
where he greatly extended his business. Locating first in leased property he began in
1883 the erection of his fine business and residence block on Union street, which he has
occupied since. Mr. Stuerwald is recognized as a man of good judgment in public as
well as private affairs; he is a Republican in politics and earnest in support of his party.
He was chosen trustee of Newark village and held the office eight years, and was
president of the village one year. He is a member of Newark Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M.;
Newark Chapter No. 117, R. A. M.; and the K. 0. T. M. No. 115. On February 21, 1874,
Mr. Stuerwald married Eliza V. Gee, of Newark, and they have one son, Fred, who is
now a student.
ORLANDO FRANKLIN THOMAS.
Orlando Franklin Thomas was born in Brooklyn, L. I., November 12, 1856, and is
a son of Benjamin Franklin and Anna (Meade) Thomas. The family is descended from
Scotch ancestry through later English branches. Benjamin F. Thomas was a son of
Clarence Erastus Thomas, a respected farmer of this State, and was himself a lumber
dealer of Brooklyn. He died in 1884, leaving a widow, who still survives, and five
children, all of whom are living.
Orlando Franklin Thomas received his education in the Brooklyn' Polytechnic Institute,
finishing in Hines' Military Academy at Garden City, N. Y., which he left when he was
about fifteen years of age. He early gave evidence of native business qualifications,
and his first employment after leaving school was as office boy in a large sugar refinery.
From this position he was advanced to shipping clerk in a coffee warehouse. With some
unimportant exceptions these two engagements occupied his time until he was twenty-
four years old, when he made an engagement that was to determine his occupation for
many years and lay the foundation of a remarkably successful business career. He
accepted a position to travel in the interest of the Manhattan Silver Plate Company,
then a very modest establishment in New York city, in which James H. Young was the
controlling partner. Mr. Thomas not only sold the goods of the company successfully,
but he also suggested or instituted improvements that greatly advanced the business.
Three years later he purchased the interest of Mr. Young's partner and took direct
charge of the factory. He largely increased the line of goods, extended their sale with
enterprise and vigor, and in three years after becoming a partner larger quarters were
necessary, and the factory was removed to Brooklyn and established in their own build-
ing. The business continued to increase, and in 1885, in order to better carry out the
plans of Mr. Thomas and his associate, the present corporation was formed and Mr.
Thomas was made secretary and Mr. Young president. The success of the company
16 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
since that time has been remarkable and is very largely due to the individual efforts of
Mr. Thomas. In order to escape prevailing labor troubles the company resolved to re-
move the factory away from Brooklyn, which was accomplished in 1889. The citizens
of Lyons, Wayne county. N. Y., interested themselves in securing the works for their
village, a part of the stock being taken by them, and that place was selected for the
location of the factory. The large brick building now occupied was fitted up and
adapted for the business, and Mr. Thomas purchased the holding of Mr. Young at the
time of removal, was made president of the company and the practical direction of the
immense business has since continued in his hands. Its development since it was brought
to Lyons has been, perhaps, more astonishing than its previous career, the value of its
outfit having muliiplied five or six times. Stores have been established for the sale of the
company's goods in New York, Chicago, St. Louis, San Francisco, and Sydney, Australia.
These are all managed directly from Lyons and have been placed in successful operation
under the administration of Mr. Thomas. About 250 hands are now employed in the
factory.
In his business intercourse Mr. Thomas is prompt in decision, clear-headed and prac-
tical in the consideration of new measures, genial and courteous to his fellows, and in-
spired by faith in himself and the correct business principles which have governed his
life. Politically he is a Republican, but he has never found time to give more than the
good citizen's attention to that interest.
Mr. Thomas was married in 1880 to Emma Yan Cleaf, of Brooklyn. They have one
child thirteen years old.
HON. WILLIAM CLARK.
Hon. William Clark was born at Ovid, Seneca county, N. Y.; February 9, 1810.
His ancestors on both his father's and mother's side served with credit in the Revolu-
tionary war, and on his father's side in the Indian and Colonial wars also. He was
the oldest son in a family of eight children, four boys and four girls. Two of his
younger brothers were the late Juds;e John T. Clark of Wisconsin, and Gen.
Emmons Clark of New York city, for twenty-five years Colonel of the Seventh Regiment,
and now and since 1866 Secretary of the New York City Health Department. One of
his sisters is Mrs. Sophronia C. Bottume, of Lyons, widow of the late Dr. E. W. Bottume.
He moved with his father, William Clark, a well known Presbyterian minister, at the
age of six years, to Huron, Wayne county, where he remained, except about two
years — which he spent attending Ovid Academy — until he c:.me to Lyons to study law
at the age of twenty. Here he entered the office of Graham H. Chapin, and afterwards
that of John M. Holley. He was admitted to practice as an attorney at law in the
Supreme Court in January, 1838, and practiced at Lyons for two years, when he
entered into partnership with John M. Holley, which continued till Mr. HolleyVdeath
while a Member of Congress. Mr. Clark was also admitted in due course, under the
system which was then in force in this State, as a counselor at law in the Supreme
BIOGRAPHICAL. 17
Court in January, 1841, as a solicitor in chancery in January, 1838. and as a counselor
in chancery in July, 1843. He was also admitted to practice in the District and Circuit
Courts of the United States in and for the Northern District of New York in March,
1842. After Mr. Holley's death Mr. Clark practiced alone down to the time of his
leaving Lyons for Denver, Colorado, except for a few years when Col. Anson S. Wood,
now of Wolcott, N. Y., was associated with him under the firm name of Clark &
Wood, and from 1870 to 1876, when his son, William H. Clark, who was Member of
Assembly from the Eastern District of Wayne county in 1875, was associated with him
under the firm name of W. & W. H. Clark.
He always took a deep interest in politics, first as a Whig and afterwards as a Re
publican, and was State Senator in 1854-5, and chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
While a strong and convincing advocate, Mr. Clark was particularly well known as a
thoroughly informed and safe legal adviser — a reputation which was shown by the term
almost invariably applied to him, and by which he came to be everywhere known, that
of "Counselor" Clark.
Mr. Clark was married October 13, 1847, to Miss Amelia R. Heermans, formerly of
Nassau, N. Y., who died Oct. 16, 1880. Of their six children two died while quite young.
The surviving ones are William H. Clark, of Cortland, N. Y., now editor of the Cort-
land Standard; John H. Clark, for many years principal of the Lyons Union School,
afterwards superintendent of schools at Flushing, N. Y., and now connected with
Gunton's College of Social Economics in New York city; and Mrs. James H. Brown
and Miss Carrie Clark, of Denver, Col.
In December, 1878, Mr. Clark removed to Denver, Col., for the benefit of his health,
he having for many. years suffered severely from asthma. It was while on his return to
that city from a visit at Lyons that he fell from a train near Clyde, 0., July 9, 1890, and
was instantly killed. He was a member, at the time of his death, of the Central Presby-
terian Church of Denver. '
The Wayne Democratic Press, speaking of him after his death, said :
" In his profession he was an able counselor and an advanced thinker. He was a man
of intelligence, well-read, mentally trained. His character nobody ever assailed. He
was an honest, faithful man. He filled with honor the office of State Senator, and as
chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and servant of the people was clear-
headed and firm. He left the legislative hall with a clean record, and during his life he
was held up to the young men of his time as an example to follow.'"
The Lyons Republican spoke of him as follows:
" Few men in Wayne county were better known at the time of his removal to Denver
than Mr. Clark, and few commanded a larger measure of genuine respect and esteem.
He was a man of decided opinions and fearless in their expression ; but beneath a
positive manner he carried a warm heart and kindly disposition that attached his friends
to him as with hooks of steel. He was a keen observer of events, and his extensive
and varied information made him an instructive and delightful companion. None who
met him during his recent visit to his old home in Lyons will forget how happy he
seemed to be in greeting his old time friends again, or the interest he displayed in the
growth and improvement of the village that was for so many years his home. Though
18 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
past his four score years, his step was firm, his voice sonorous, and his bodily health
apparently unimpaired."
The following resolutions were adopted by the bar of Wayne county following Mr.
Clark's death :
Whereas, Hon. William Clark was for many years a distinguished citizen of Wayne
county, an eminent member of the bar and filled with distinction while among us high
public office, and
Whereas, His choice of a home always remained in Wayne county, and he resided
away only because afflicted with a physical malady from which he could only find relief
by absence. Therefore,
Resolved, That as citizens and members of the bar of Wayne county, we mourn his
lamentable death and honor and cherish his memory. That we remember him as a
citizen of great ability, pure life and ever interested in the public welfare ; as a
lawyer eminent in counsel, able in argument, and true and honorable in his dealings with
clients and with the members of his profession ; and as a statesman enlightened, incor-
ruptible, without reproach.
Resolved, That these resolutions be filed with the records of the county and copies
sent to the friends of our deceased brother and also to the press for publication."
The portrait of Mr. Clark which appears in this volume is from a photograph taken
not long before his death.
PLINY SEXTON.
It is a pleasant as well as an imperative duty to place in this historical work on Wayne
county, a brief account of the life and character of the man whose name stands above.
In general terms it is wholly proper to state that no one has exerted a wider influence
for good in this community.
Pliny Sexton was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on -January 31, 1796, and was
brought into what was then Ontario county (now Wayne) by his parents in 1799. The
family settled temporarily near the present village of Marion, but soon removed to
what is now the village of Palmyra. In December, 1801, the boy made a journey with
his mother to visit her mother in Suffield, Conn. This long and trying journey, made
in a sleigh, was always remembered as replete with incident. They remained east
until 1803, when they again made the journey westward and lived for a period at what
has locally been called " the Huddle " on the road to Walworth. In 1805, when the
boy was only nine years old, he went to work for Sylvanus Conant in a brick yard on
the creek flats about two miles west of Palmyra. In those early years of arduous toil
were laid the foundations of character, energy, perseverance, and fidelity which marked
his personality through life. And the conditions of life and the physical surroundings
of the people in this part of the country at that time, were far different from those of
this day. In every direction extended an almost unbroken forest, through which
roamed at will, wild animals. Speaking of his boyhood experiences, he mentioned
BIOGRAPHICAL. 19
being sent, when about eleven years old, alone to drive a cow from Walworth to Lake
Ontario, all of the way through the woods, and of his fear of meeting bears, which then
abounded. Even when, after his apprenticeship, he returned to Palmyra, in 1819, as a
young business man, the country was still in quite a primeval state. The Brie Canal
was not dug until several years afterward ; railroads were unthought of, and the only
mode of travel was upon the rude highways by private conveyance or in the public
stage coach. His journeys to New York for goods, and the return, easily consumed a
month of time, by stage to Albany and from there by sail vessel down the Hudson
Eiver, a voyage which baffling winds often extended to a week. The surplus products
of this country were hauled to Albany by teamsters, who brought back loads of mer-
chandise. .
In the year 1808 the family removed to Mayfield, in what is now Fulton county,
N. Y., and in 1809, when he was thirteen years old, the boy was apprenticed to Caleb
Johnson, in Johnstown, in the same county, to learn the silversmith's and watch making
trade. He served there faithfully for eight years as an apprentice, until he was twenty-
one years old, receiving for his labor his board and clothing and nine months schooling
— a period of devoted service to acquire properly the means of earning a future liveli-
hood that is unheard of at the present day. In the fall of 1818 he worked in Auburn
at his trade and in the manufacture of mathematical instruments, principally surveyor's
compasses. One of these compasses bearing his name as maker, is now owned by the
town of Palmyra. In the following year (1819) he returned to Palmyra and made that
place his home until death. It was only a mere hamlet at that time and finding no
suitable building for a shop, the young man proceeded to erect one. He was cheerfully
aided by his brethren of the Society of Friends, kindness that he never forgot or failed
to recognize on all proper occasions. He had his tools and very little money; but he
was given credit for lumber, while others aided him in his work on the shop, Asa
Stoddard building it and taking a brass watch for his pay. It stood about on the site of
the present Episcopal church. There he began work, making almost anything he was
called upon for, including sleigh bells, silver spoons, compasses, repairing watches, and
gradually increasing his stock of goods.
In 1822 he married, but heiiad already begun building a house, which is still standing
on the corner of Main and Washington streets, which he occupied before it was finished,
his previous housekeeping having been in the chambers of Orrin White's dwelling, on
the site of the Episcopal church lot. In 1823 he brought into the town and sold the
first cooking stoves. In 1825 he joined with others in erecting the Jenner Block, the
middle section of which he occupied with his rapidly growing business. In 1828 he
built and removed to the " corner hardware store," which stood until 1878 on the corner
of Main and Market streets. There he remained in the hardware business many years.
His business was conducted as almost all really successful business is — upon principles of
integrity, fairness, and proper regard for the rights of all ; and of course he was success-
ful ; successful not alone in acquiring money, but in making for himself a most enviable
place in the hearts of his fellow citizens. When, therefore, in 1844 he determined upon
organizing the Palmyra Bank, under the then new free banking law, he found no
trouble in doing so, for there was no lack of confidence in the enterprise under his
o
20 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
management. He soon afterward entered into partnership with the late George W.
Cuyler in the banking business, which was conducted under the name of '' Cuyler's
Bank," until 1864, when they organized the present First National Bank of Palmyra,
of which Mr. Sexton remained vice-president until his death.
Mr. Sexton had other objects and views besides the mere gaining of wealth. Always
public spirited, he was active and influential in promoting the foundation of the excellent
Union School at Palmyra, and in aiding other movements that benefited the place. In
later years, when he could free himself in a measure from exacting business duties, he
occupied himself in building up and improving a neglected portion of the village. He
bought and drained the ''old mill pond property," and converted it into a habitable
region, at the same time removing a dreaded source of disease and discomfort. Of his
long business career in Palmyra it was written at the time of his death as follows :
" Viewed simply as a business life it affords a worthy and encouraging example to
young men. He began with nothing, and following a life of industry and economy,
coupled with strict integrity, gained for himself, long before life's close, if not so great
wealth as some have supposed, all thereof that man need want. And of all his gains
nothing ever came to him from another's injury. In all his business plans he studied to
be helpful to others as well as himself. And the one thing to be noted above all else,
is that the most potent factor in his material successrwas the perfect trust and confi-
dence which his fellow men early came to repose in him, and which he never failed to
justify. That confidence was typified in the financial panic of 1857. when standing in
the entrance of the bank of which he was part owner, he found the frightened deposit-
ors, who were unwilling to longer trust their money to the keeping of the bank, not
only willing but anxious to take his individual note, without security, and go home con-
tent leaving their treasure in his hands."
This is all high praise, but his character eminently deserved it. For it was not alone
in business that he was accounted successful. He left behind a name and reputation
of stainless purity. During his mature life he was a member of the Society of Friends
and imbued with their high ideal of manhood in all of life's relations. Deprived of
early opportunity for obtaining an education, he began a course of self- teaching and
reading which ultimately gave him a cultured and refined mind and a large fund of
general information. All movements for the betterment of his fellows, all ins'ances
deserving aid and sympathy, found in him a ready and generous benefactor ; and par-
ticularly was this true of efforts to uplift the moral tone of a community, or the undoing
of a wrong. He was, therefore, an ardent and active participator in the anti-slavery
movement, believing slavery not only a curse, but a crime. His house became a well-
known station on the famous "underground railroad," and many a poor fugitive from
bondage was aided and protected by Pliny Sexton.
Mr. Sexton died at his home in Palmyra March 26, 1881, in his 86th year. He left
surviving the wife of his later years ; a daughter, Mrs. David S. Aldrich, and his son,
Pliny T. Sexton.
" He left behind him no one who could owe him an unkind thought, and carried with
him to the better land the respect and affection of all who knew him."
BIOGRAPHICAL. 21
PLINY T. SEXTON.
Pliny T. Sexton, of Palmyra, son of the foregoing, was born in Palmyra, June 12,
1840. His mother was Hannah Sexton, a highly cultivated and 'gifted woman, who,
like her husband, was a member of the Society of Friends, among whom she is still well
remembered as a preacher of unusual power.
The son's early circumstances were vastly different from those under which his father
began life, and were such as would be expected for one blessed with such a father and
mother. The doors to educational opportunity were early opened wide for him. In
the Palmyra Classical Union School and in private institutions he acquired a broad
general education, which was succeeded by a course at the noted Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute at Troy, N. Y., whose range of studies extends over a more practically useful
field than the usual college course. It was desired that he should also have a business
knowledge of the law, and to that end he entered the New York State and National
Law School, from which he graduated with the degree of LL.B. in 1859. He was a
hard student, mastering whatever he read. On attaining to his majority in 1861, he was
admitted fo the bar of this State, and since has been admitted to practice in the Supreme
Court of the United States. Mr. Sexton was not destined to closely follow his pro-
fession. Other interests connected with the business of his father and that later
developed by himself have occupied his attention and time. It should not be inferred,
however, that he has altogether neglected the law, which has never lost its attract-
iveness to him. His interest in the development of legal science has remained deep and
abiding, and possessing a judicial quality of mind he has thoroughly grounded himself
in the principles of his profession by continued and careful study in his law library,
which is one of the best in his vicinity.
Mr. Sexton succeeded his father in an important banking house, and under his liberal
and progressive management it has become one of the leading financial institutions of
the State outside of large cities. It was in 1864 that the First National Bank of Palmyra
was organized, in the dark days of the Rebellion, when a loan of money to the govern-
ment was an exhibition of patriotism. He was made its first cashier and since 1876 has
been its president. His practical financial knowledge and judgment have been manifest
in the entire history of the institution of which he is the head.
A lifelong Republican in politics, Mr. Sexton might have been highly honored in that
field had he so desired. The strife of party politics for personal ends has had little
attraction for him, but he has never been reluctant to give expression to his enlightened
views on public questions or active aid to local movements which he believed were for
the good of the community. Without solicitation on his part he was for four successive
terms elected president of his native village and retired from the office at his own
request. For six years he was president of the Board of Education of the Palmyra
Classical Union School, an office the duties of which were in entire harmony with his
natural and acquired tastes and in which his influence was most salutary. In 1883 he
received without his own seeking or attendance at the convention the nomination for
the honorable and responsible office of State treasurer. This was in the year following
22 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
the Cleveland tidal wave of 200,000 majority for governor, and of course no Republican
could be elected.
In 1890 the Legislature of the State chose Mr. Sexton one of the Regents of the Uni-
versity of the State of New York. This honorable position gave him opportunity for
the public development and advancement of theories of education which he had long
entertained ; and his reputation for scholarship and rare mental vigor and acquirements
was still further recognized in 1893, when he was elected honorary chancellor of Un:on
University, Schenectady, and as such delivered the annual address June 28, of that year.
At that time he received from that institution the degree of Doctor of Laws. He
chose as his theme on the occasion alluded to, '' Educational Extension,'' his treatment
of which was in direct line with his previous efforts for that cause.
This subject of " Educational Extension " has occupied Mr. Sexton's thoughts for
some years. It is founded upon his belief that educational facilities should not stop at
the time in young people's lives when they usually leave our schools and colleges, but
should continue through life, even if they have to be supplied through State aid. He
was chiefly instrumental in securing the passage by the Legislature in 1891 of the
so-called University Extension Law, which is only the established name for the objects
sought by him. Abandoning his private business he spent most of the session in
Albany. Equipped with facts and ample argument, gifted with rare powers of persua-
sion, and armed with the conviction of the importance of his mission, he worked as
lobbyists have seldom worked. He had aid, but he is generally recognized as the parent
of the measure, which finally became a law. The system has been put into operation to
some extent and promises great usefulnes, as the projectors anticipated. University
Extension centers have been established at various points and educators with progressive
ideas have entered into the work with enthusiasm. While the system had its beginning,
in name, in England, Mr. Sexton, as well as others, have originated and incorporated in
it and contemplate for it new ideas which will undoubtedly develop into useful practical
features. This educational movement was the inspiration of Mr. Sexton's address at
Union before referred to, which was a clear and unanswerable argument in favor
of educational extension.
Mr. Sexton has been thoughtfully interested also in electoral reform, and has recently
(1894) published a pamphlet suggesting a plan for practicable " Independent voting
within political party lines," which seeks to bring the election of public officers more
fully under actual popular control.
The tastes of Mr. Sexton are domestic and his life and manner unpretentious and
modest. He was married in September, 1860, to Harriot Hyde, daughter of the late
Stephen Hyde, of Palmyra, and granddaughter of the Rev. Alvan Hyde, D. D., formerly
a noted Presbyterian divine, of Lee, Mass. Their Palmyra home is hospitable and
pleasant. They have also a summer home on Lake George, one of the loveliest spots in
the country. Both Mrs. and Mr. Sexton are fond of outdoor life, and several years ago
made a winter horseback tour of the Southern States, traveling in that manner from
Palmyra to Savannah, G-a. They have no children.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 23
CARL BOTCHER.
Carl Botciier was born in Mechlenberg, Germany, February 28, 1842. His parents,
Carl and Henrietta (Miller) Botcher, farmers, left their fatherland with their family of
four sons — two of whom were by Mrs. Botcher's first husband, Christopher Swartz —
on the 31st of October, 1853, and arrived in New York city January 18, 1854. They
came direct to Rochester, where they remained two months, and then settled perma-
nently in the town of Arcadia, Wayne county. Their first home was three miles north
of Newark village, where Frank Swartz, the eldest of Mrs. Botcher's first children now
lives. Four years later they removed to the present farm of Carl Botcher, where the
parents died — the mother in October, 1882, and the father in September, 1884. They
both possessed the sterling characteristics of native Germans, and were ever first and
foremost in all matters affecting their countrymen. For many years they were promi-
nently identified with the Lutheran church of Newark, sustaining it with continued
liberality and encouraging it by personal attendance and labor. Mr. Botcher was a
Republican, but never sought political preferment, yet he always gave his influence to
the betterment of his adopted country.
Carl Botcher, the third child in the family and the eldest of the two children of Carl
sr., obtained his education before leaving his native land, and acquired a good knowl-
edge of all the branches taught in the public schools of Germany. His father had been
accustomed from early youth to the methods of agriculture as carried on under the
German nobility, and after coming to the United States could never wholly eradicate
the principles thus formed from his mind. The son. therefore, at the early age of fif-
teen, was compelled to take active charge of the farm and ever afterward had the gen-
eral management of affairs. He readily adopted the most modern methods, applying
them with unusual success, and in many instances instituted new ideas. His present
fine farm of 136 acres, adcrned with spacious and substant;al buildings, all of which
have been practically erected under his personal supervision, attests the degree of suc-
cess which has attended his efforts.
November 16, 1865, Mr. Botcher married Miss Kate Bloom, born March 7, 1846, a
native of Germany, and the daughter of Conrad Bloom. They have had two children
a daughter and a son. The latter. Clarence G. Botcher, was born October 18 1871
was educated at the Newark Union Free School and Academy, and assists his father
on the homestead.
Conrad Bloom, the father of Mrs. Carl Botcher, came to America with his family in
1853 and settled in what is now East Newark. They removed to Missouri in May,
1867, where he died in February, 1892. and where his widow still resides. They had
six children, of whom five are living.
THERON G. YEOMANS.
Theron G. Teomans was born in Greene county. New York, January 31, 1815. His
father, Gilbert Yeomans, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., November 30, 1775.
24 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
His grandfather, Eliab Yeomans, was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1735. The
two latter moved to Greene county, N. Y., in 1778. Eliab Yeomans, the grandfather,
was a noted land surveyor of that early period, and died at the age of ninety-three
years.
The mother of our subject was Sarah Bullock, daughter of Asa Bullock. His parent's
were married October 14, 1802, and Lad born to them ten children, Theron G being
the only survivor, aged eighty years. He was accustomed to farm life till fifteen yeai
of age, when he came to Walworth to assist an older brother in mercantile business for
six years. At the age of twenty-one years he succeeded his brother in the same busi-
ness, from 1836 to 1845.
He was married to Lydia A. Stearns, daughter of Royal Stearns of Ontario county,
N. Y., September 27, 1837! They have three children living: Lucien T., Elon L. and
Francis C. ; the two former of the firm of T. C. Yeomans & Sons, and the latter, Francis
C , a resident of the State of Washington. They lost one son, Vaniah G., aged fifteen
months, and one daughter, Ellen L., aged seven years.
Mr. Yeomans engaged in the nursery business in 1840, and continued it on an exten-
sive scale individually about thiity years ; and thereafter in the name of T. G. Yeomans
& Sons about twenty yeais. Their fine farm is noted for its large orchards, well cared
for, and for many years celebrated for its large production of choice fruit. A very
important feature of this farm is the thorough system of drainage adopted many years
ago, and carried on to the extent of having laid over sixty miles of tile drains; their
noted drawf pear orchard having a tile drain passing within five feet of every tree.
The New York State Agricultural Society, in 1852, awarded Mr. Yeomans a silver cup
valued at twenty-five dollars as a prize for his successful experiments in draining.
From about 1850 to about 1870 he planted out orchards to the extent of one hun-
dred and fifty acres, most of which are now in bearing and producing a fair reve-
nue to the firm. In 1851 he imported from France about three thousand dwarf pear
trees for an orchard, which at that time was a new departure in the fruit business,
of which most people predicted failure, though it proved a gratifying success, and
was the most decisive innovation of the period in pear culture, and is at the present
time, 1894, vigorous and productive. L. H. Bailey, professor of horticulture of Cornell
University, while visiting it in its season of fruiting in 1894, said; "It is an inspi-
ration to me, and is an historical orchard." Many of the trees are from nine to twelve
inches in diameter and only about eight to ten feet high.
In 1879 Mr. Yeomans visited Holland, and brought thence that fine strain of Hol-
stein-Friesian cattle (thirty-three animals), the nucleus of the herd of T. G. Yeomans
& Sons, which has become famous throughout the country, and the progeny of whicn
have enriched the stock of countless farms. One of the largest breeders and best judges
of this breed of cattle pronounces this the most remarkable importation ever made. It
was this firm, with this herd, who first brought out conspicuously, by actual tests, the
surprising qualities of this breed for butter production ; which have since been abund-
antly confirmed and demonstrated by their winning the chief prizes at most of the great
public contests of the breeds in this country ; and by the production of more butter from
one cow in a single year than was ever produced by any other cow of any breed, viz. :
BIOGRAPHICAL. 25
eleven hundred and fifty-three pounds and fifteen ounces. On the organization of " The
Holstein-Friesian Association of America," Mr. Yeomans was chosen its first president,
and some member of their firm has at all times been a member of its official board. Mr.
Yeomans has not only visited several European countries, but has seen much of Ameri-
ca, having twice with Mrs. Yeomans visited the Pacific coast, spending three months
in California, and later visited Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. His several
other excursions include New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and all of the States of the
American Union except Texas. Between 1836 and 1845 he held, part of the time, the
office of town clerk and postmaster; and subsequently justice of the peace for about
sixteen years. Previous to holding the latter office litigation was quite common, though
by h;s method of administration it was so checked that only five or six suits were con-
tested in his part of the town during the whole period of his official service. He was
supervisor of Walworth in 1849 and 1850, and is understood to be the only person liv-
ing who was supervisor either of those years.
The following year, 1851, he was elected member of assembly, serving two years in
succession ; he can learn of but two others now living who were members of that hon-
orable body in 1851, viz.: Hon. William H. Feller, then of Dutchess county, and now of
Minnesota, and Hon. Hamilton Harris, of Albany.
He has voted at fifty-nine consecutive annual elections, and in the good old times
from 1836 to 1846, when elections were held three days at different places in each town,
he was in the habit orattending all three days at the polls. His first vote was cast for
Gen. William Henry Harrison in 1836, and he had the pleasure of helping to elect him
in 1840 ; it is needless to say that he was among the enthusiastic supporters of the old
General's grandson in 1888. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention
in 1884 which nominated James G. Blaine for president.
Mr. Yeomans' eldest son, L. T. Yeomans, was member of assembly from Wayne
county in 1872 and 1873 ; his youngest son, Francis O, was two years member of
assembly in the State of Washington.
When the rebellion broke out in 1861, and President Lincoln called for 75,000 volun-
teer soldiers, Mr. Yeomans offered to pay each man who enlisted from Walworth three
dollars per month extra pay, and paid them through their colonel, Joseph W. Corning,
of the 33d Regiment, U. S. Vol.
Under a subsequent call for " 300,000 more " he went to New York city and procured
enlisted men to fill the quota for Walworth (seventeen or eighteen men).
About 1840 Mr. Yeomans offered a liberal prize for planting shade trees on the streets
and public grounds of the village, and an extra prize of twenty-five dollars to the person
who would plant the greatest number within three-fourths of a mile of the village.
The result was the planting of many hundreds, which have become in later years the
ornament and pride of the place.
The village of Walworth has abundance of nice flag stone and cement walks, a large
portion of which were provided by Mr. Yeomans, including those about the hotel and
churches. He took an active part in organizing Walworth Academy more than fifty
years ago, and has been one of its trustees from the first, and the largest contributor to
its finances.
26 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
The town of Walworth is noted for its general neatness and orderly character, which
may be attributed in some degree to the fact that no license to sell intoxicating drinks
has been granted there for about sixty years ; and it was the first town in the State to
refuse such license.
The public are accommodated with a beautiful and commodious hotel, " The Pacific,"
built and owned by Mr. Yeomans; and since its construction in 1877 has been nicely
kept on strictly temperance principles, an honor to the town. It is unnecessary to say
that Mr. Yeomans has been a prime actor in securing and maintaining the public senti-
ment which favors this desirable condition of things, so beneficial to the community.
It is only natural that a man of his ability, experience and usefulness, should be a
great power politically and otherwise in the town and county where he has resided for
so many years, and where the whole of a busy manhood has been passed. Neverthe-
less it is rarely the case that for so many years in succession the people of any commu-
nity trust their affairs to so large an extent to one man. Mr. Yeomans may well feel
proud of the fact that for so many years his voice and influence have been so decisive
in the selection of candidates for office, and the choice of delegates to the various gath-
erings of the Republican party, as well as to the many public interests of the commu-
nity.
It shows the confidence with which he has been able to inspire two, or even three
generations of his fellow townsmen ; and is a most fitting testimonial of the worth and
sterling integrity of the man.
The portrait of Mr. Yeomans published herein is copied from a photograph taken
when he was eighty years of age.
GEORGE W. COWLES.
Hon. George W. Cowles was born in December, 1824, in the town of Otisco, Onon-
daga county, N. Y. He entered Hamilton College, and was graduated in 1845. For
six years after completing his college course he engaged in farming. He then studied
law, and was admitted to the bar in 1854, and began practice in Clyde, Wayne county,
where he has since resided. In 1863 he was elected county judge of Wajme county,
and again in 1867. In 1868 he was chosen member of congress and earned an enviable
record in that body. In 1873 he was again chosen county judge, and was re-elected to
the same position in 1885. He is now practicing his profession at Clyde.
NEWELL E. LANDON, M. D
Newell E. Landon, M. D., eldest son of Zera N. and Sarah A. (Adams) Landon, was
born in Newark, this county, March 3, 1852. Zera N. Landon, son of James, was a na-
tive of Washington county, N. Y. He was a teamster and subsequently a farmer, and
about 1850 settled in thetown of Arcadia, where* he died November,9, 1893, aged
BIOGRAPHICAL. 27
nearly seventy-four. His wife's death occurred May 18, 1894, in her sixty-second year.
She was a daughter of William Adams, who died in Palmyra in 1863, at the age of
seventy-seven, after a residence in the town of about forty years. Their children
were Dr. Newell E. ; William A., of Newark ; Charles S., who died in 1892 ; and Eudora
A., of Newark.
Dr. Newell E. Landon was reared on the farm and acquired his literary education in
the common schools and in the Newark Union Free School and Academy. At the age
of three years he removed with his parents to the town of Palmyra, where the family
remained until 1864, when they purchased a farm about two miles from Newark vil-
lage. Here the remainder of his boyhood days were passed. Having determined to
adopt medicine as his life work young Landon entered the office of Dr. Charles G-.
Pomeroy in Newark in October, 1872, where he thoroughly prepared himself for his
chosen profession. He became a student in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in
New York city (the Medical Department of Columbia College) and was, graduated from
that institution with the class of 1876, receiving a hospital appointment. By the advice of
Dr. Pomeroy, however, he declined the post, returned to Newark, and accepted a part-
nership with his preceptor, which continued four years. In January, 1880, Dr. Landon
married Miss Mary Easton and soon afterward located in Rochester, where he remained
a year and a half. Owing to the ill health of his wife he returned to Newark, where
he has ever since resided. Mrs. Landon died in December, 1882, and in October, 1886,
he married Miss Alice Russell, daughter of L. C. Russell,1 of Port Grtbson, Ontario
county.
Dr. Landon for several years was connected with the State Custodial Asylum for
Feeble Minded Women of Newark, first as attending physician and afterward as con-
sulting physician and surgeon. He is now Division Surgeon for the West Shore and
Northern Central railroads, a member of the Wayne County Medical Society, New York
State Medical Association, Central New York Medical_ Society, American Medical As-
sociation, and National Association of Railway Surgeons, and medical examiner for the
New York Life, New York Mutual Life, Massachusetts Mutual Life, Northwestern
Mutual Life, and John Hancock Life Insurance Companies. He is also a member of
Newark Lodge, No. 83, F. and A. M., and Chapter 117 R/A. M., and a member and
examining surgeon of the K. 0. T. M. and E. K. 0. R. Besides these he has served as
president of the village one term and health officer of the town several years.
Thoroughly devoted to his chosen calling Dr. Landon is a close student, critical and
quick in comprehension, unusually accurate and keen in diagonsis, and clear yet scien-
tific in treatment. He has established a large and successful practice, and is justly
conceded a prominent place among the leading physicians of Western New York. As
a surgeon he is skillful and unerring, and has performed nearly all of the more difficult
operations in his locality during the past dozen years. He also takes an active interest
1 Capt. Russell was for many years a very prominent citizen of that locality. He carried on an
extensive grain and produce trade, was a large dealer in general merchandise, ran a packet on the
canal before the days of railroad travel, and served some time as postmaster. For nearly half
of a century he was the principal business man of Port Gibson. He died in September, 1876, aged
seventy years.
D
28 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
in local affairs, particularly in educational and social matters, lending his aid and influ-
ence in promoting every good cause. In all of these he is ably seconded and assisted
by his estimable wife, who is actively identified with many local organizations.
JACOB FISHER.
Jacob Fisher was born in the grand duchy of Baden, Germany, October 29, 1831.
His father, Sebastian Fischer, was a mechanic and died in his native land. The mother,
Margaret Fischer (Americanized Fisher), came with her son Jacob to America in the
spring of 1853. She settled in Rochester and subsequently came to Lyons, where her
death occurred in 1885 at the age of eighty years.
Jacob Fisher inherited in full measure the unswerving honesty of purpose, the native
ability, and the simplicity of earnestness which characterized his parents, and before
leaving his fatherland had acquired a good practical education in the public schools. He
early became inured to hard labor and acquired habits of thrift and frugality which
guided the whole of his after career. His first work in this country was on a farm near
Rochester ; later he was employed in a furnace in that city. Neither of these occupations
suited his tastes and he therefore directed his efforts into other channels. In 1857 he began
to learn his trade in the Rochester pottery, where he remained until December, 1872,
when he came to Lyons village, which has since been his home. Upon his arrival he
leased of Thompson Harrington the Lyons pottery (established in 1825), which he con-
ducted until about 1880, when he purchased the establishment and has since been prac-
tically its sole owner. Excepting a partnership with George Lang, covering about two
years, he has carried on the business alone.
When Mr. Fisher first leased the Lyons pottery it was a very small concern with a
single kiln. In 1885 he put in another kiln of more than double the capacity of the
original one, and about two years later built a brick addition known as the " blue room."
Subsequently a second kiln replaced the first one, making two now in operation ; a large
brick building 28 by 80 feet was erected, and steam power with all the latest improve-
ments and conveniences was added, increasing the original capacity more than six-fold.
About thirty-five persons are employed and the weekly pay roll amounts to some $300.
Stoneware of all kinds is manufactured and shipped to all parts of the United States.
The capacity of the plant is about seventy-five kilns of 9,000 to 10,000 gallons per
annum.
Mr. Fisher is well known in every village in Western New York. His business has
brought him into wide prominence and has earned for him an enviable reputation for
honesty and fair dealing. Observing with a keen discernment the needs of his exten-
sive trade he has constantly increased it by legitimate innovations and modern improve-
ments, adding to the capacity of his plant as necessity demanded and pushing his wares
into new territory whenever an opportunity was presented. His long connection with
the pottery trade has made his name a synonym for excellence, reliance, and substantial
worth. In politics not only himself but his family are staunch Republicans, but all
BIOGRAPHICAL. 29
have eschewed political preferment. During one term, however, Mr. Fisher served as
village trustee. In religion the family are German Methodists, to which denomination
all have contributed liberally of both time and means.
In July, 1858, Mr. Fisher married Miss Theresa Burger, of Rochester, by whom he
has had four children, all living. Edmund Fisher, the eldest, is the principal traveling
salesman for his father, being assisted on the road by Eben Bourne. William F. is cap-
tain of the boat Louisa (named from his youngest daughter), which is used in shipping
goods to all points along the Erie Canal. The daughters are Amelia and Louisa, the
latter being the bookkeeper and cashier of the works.
HIRAM GILBERT HOTCHKISS.
Hiram G. Hotchkiss, the subject of this sketch, son of Leman and Theodosia (Gil-
bert) Hotchkiss, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., June 19, 1810. Leman Hotchkiss
was a merchant, and in 1811 removed with his family to Phelps, Ontario county, where,
with David McNeil as a partner, he opened a general store, the first in the~town. The
firm of Hotchkiss & McNeil became one of the best known mercantile establishments
in Western New York, doing a business of over one hundred thousand dollars per
annum. In 1816 Leman Hotchkiss started a store in Lyons, under the firm name of
Leach & Demmon, which continued business many years. In 1822 Hotchkiss &
McNeil started the fir.<t general store in what is now Newark village, then called Mil-
ler's Basin, in which they placed Hiram G., then twelve years old, as clerk, he being the
first clerk employed in a store in that place.
Although the educational facilities of Western New York at this early day were limited
Mr. Hotchkiss's education was not neglected, and he grasped every opportunity which
was presented to educate and fit himself for the life that was to follow (i. e. a successful
merchant. At the age of eighteen he, with his brother Leman B., and a cousin, William
T. Hotchkiss, opened a general store in Phelps and successfully operated two mills in
Phelps and one in Seneca Falls, the combined capacity being over 500 barrels daily.
In 1837 while engaged in this business, Mr. Hotchkiss began buying oil of pepper-
mint of farmers along with their wheat, which was then produced in very small quan-
tities ; and having accumulated a quantity of this essential oil he sent it to the New
York markets, but without success. The business at that time was wholly in the hands
of adulterators and his oil being pure he was obliged to recall it. But nothing daunted,
Mr. Hotchkiss bottled his oil and consigned it to London and Rotterdam, where it al-
most immediately sprung into general favor. His label soon gained a wide reputation
and became a substantial guarantee for purity and strength. In 1837 he [disposed of
his store and began the manufacture of American essential oils in Phelps, and so rapidly
did his business increase that it required his entire attention and has since become his
life work. In April, 1844, Mr. Hotchkiss disposed of his milling interest and with his
family removed to Lyons, purchasing a large tract of land and beginning the cultivation
of American essential oils on a large scale. Here he has ever since resided.
30 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Mr. Hotchkiss may be truthfully regarded as the father of the essential oil business
in America. He began in a very small way, selling less than 1,000 pounds the first
year. He boldly and unswervingly adhered to a high standard of beauty and purity,
and by strict honesty and fair dealing rapidly built up a trade covering not only all
portions of the United States but commanding the markets of the civilized world, un-
til now the output of American essential oils under the H. G. Hotchkiss brand is over
100,000 pounds per annum, and which has largely increased the value of the essential
oil lands of this county.
The manufacture includes oils of peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, wormwood,
sassafras, pennyroyal, and tansy, the first two, however, being of paramount importance.
These oils lead the world, control the largest markets of the globe, and bring to Lyons
thousands of dollars annually. It is the only brand that maintains any credit on the
London and Continential European exchanges. In 1878 Mr. Hotchkiss visited Europe
and was everywhere received and entertained in the most complimentary manner by
the leading merchants of the old world. In London he was escorted.to the floor of the
world-renowned London Exchange, and then and there complimented on the standing of
his brand of essential oils, an honor, to say the least, that has been extended to but few
Americans. Since 1851 Mr. Hotchkiss has taken the first prize medals and diplomas on
his brand of oils at the following World's fairs, viz.: At London in 1851 and 1862; at
New York in 1853 ; at Paris in 1856, 1867, and 1878 ; at Hamburg in 1863 ; at Vienna,
Austria, in 1873; at Philadelphia in 1876; at Chicago in 1893; and others besides of
a local nature, and it is through this business that Mr. Hotchkiss has become the most
widely known man in Wayne county. In fact there is not a town in all the civilized
world large enough to support a drug store or confectioner's shop but what the name
of H. G. Hotchkiss, the Peppermint King, is a household word.
On January 3, 1833, Mr. Hotchkiss married Mary Williams Ashley, daughter of Doctor
Robert Ashley, of Lyons. To them were born three sons and nine daughters: Ellen O,
widow of the late Col. Alexander D. Adams; Mary, deceased, wife of Thomas P. Attix,
of Brooklyn; Emma T., widow of the late Rev. Charles H. Piatt, of Binghamton, N. Y. ;
Theodosia, died in infancy ; Lisette, widow of the late Henry C. Parshall, of Lyons ;
Annie, deceased, wife of Charles H. Dickerson, of Detroit, Mich.; Leman, deceased,
the first Democrat elected member of Assembly in the 2d district of Wayne county ;
Adrianna D., wife of Rev. William H. Williams, of Lyons; Clara, died in Albany at
the age of twelve years ; Calvin and Hiram G., jr., now associated with their father in
the essential oil business ; and Alice M. A., wife of William G. David, of New York
city. Mrs. Hotchkiss died in 1886.
Mr. Hotchkiss, through an honorable connection with the essential oil trade, is best
known. He has made his own name and that of his town familiar to all countries and
climes. For many years he has led an active life, and now, at the age of eighty-five,
we find him hale and hearty with his mind and body unimpaired, and with prospects of
of a useful life before him. As a business man he has been eminently successful, and
in local matters affecting the welfare of his town he has always taken an abiding in-
terest. In religion he is an Episcopalian and in politics a Democrat, but in no sense has
he ever been an office seeker. Public spirited, liberal, and kind hearted, he is emphatic-
ally a local benefactor.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 31
FREPERICK WINTER GRIFFITH.
Every person born into the world fills a peculiar niche in the great sea of human
activity, and when a single individual, through his own exertions, attains the distinction
of a successful man his career, even though it be incomplete, becomes a matter worthy
of permanent record. Genealogical data, when traced back into centuries gone by,
often presents gaps almost unconnectable, yet it is none the less interesting, for cer-
tainly some light will be thrown upon facts rapidly passing out the cotemporary biogra-
pher's reach.
The Griffith family is of Welch origin and the branch under consideration dates its
lineage from one Joseph, whose father settled in Virginia early in the eighteenth cen-
tury. Joseph Griffith, after having served in the Eevolutionary war, became a resident
of Luzerne county, Pa., whence he removed to Phelps, Ontario county, N. Y., in 1803
being one of the pioneers of that now rich and fertile locality. There his son John was
born, and there he lived and died. There John W., son of John, was born March 25, 1830.
All were quiet, substantial farmers and good business men. Joseph and John (his son)
were early and active members of the Presbyterian Church at Oaks Corners, about two
miles east of Phelps, which was the first religious organization in that town. John W.
Griffith, however, united with the Methodists as soon as an M..E. church was established
in the village, and lived and died in that belief. He possessed unusual natural ability, was
a remarkably keen observer of human nature, was well read and posted on all current
topics, and without advantages obtained a knowledge at once broad, thorough, and com-
prehensive. He was an ardent and staunch Republican, but eschewed all political prefer-
ment. He married Charlotte E. Malette ' and died at Clifton Springs, N. Y., Novem-
ber 21, 1891. They had seven children, of whom six are living, viz.: Frederick W. ;
John C, a lawyer in Buffalo; James M., of Geneva; Mary E., of Palmyra; Frank A.
on the old homestead in Phelps ; and Helena M., of Palmyra.
Frederick W. Griffith, the eldest of these children, was born on the family homestead
in Phelps on December 17, 1858, and spent his early life on the farm and in the district
schools, supplementing his preliminary education with a brief attendance at the Phelps
Union Classical School. At the age of eighteen he began the trade of a printer with
his uncle, James Malette, on the Geneva Courier, where he remained until 1881, being
associate editor during the last year of his residence there. Returning to Phelps he
prepared himself for college at the Union and Classical School, and in the fall of 1882 en-'
tered Hamilton College, from which he was graduated as a bachelor of arts and as a
high honor man with the class of 1886. His entire education was obtained wholly
1 The lineage of the Malette family is traced back to Pierre Malet, who was born in France in
1695. Following the edict of Louis XV, which deprived all Protestants of legal rights in the courts
and made their property subject 10 confiscation by the crown, he sailed to America in 1724 or 1725
with his wife and son Pierre, and other Huguenots. He located in Baltimore as a shipbuilder, but
soon removed to Reading, Conn., where he engaged in farming. He was distinguished for his
piety, and his wife possessed decided energy of spirit. His posterity were (2) Pierre, or Peter,
born in 1720 ; (3) Philip, born in 1751 ; (4) Levi, born in 1786 ; (5) Isaac ; (6) Charlotte E. (Mrs. John
W. Griffith) ; (7) Frederick W. Griffith, the subject of this sketch. The orthography of the name
Malet was long since Americanized into the modern Malette.
32 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
through his own exertions. His father's limited means afforded him only small assistance
in a pecuniary way, and the struggle was all the more severe because of the apparent afflu-
ence of classmates. He is, in consequence, a self-made man in every sense of the term,
and exemplifies the courage, perseverance, and single-mindedness of true American
youth and manhood. With an ambition born of purpose and constancy he schooled
himself not only in the vast field of literary and mathematical research but in all the
requirements of life and advantages derived from a diversified knowledge. Leaving
college he was for one year an instructor in Greek and Latin in Kirkland Hall, a boys'
preparatory school at Clinton, N. Y., and in 1889 his alma mater conferred upon him
the honorary degree of A. M.
In the autumn of 1887 Mr. Griffith came to Palmyra and associated himself in busi-
ness with 0. J. Garlock and Eugene Nichols, both men of exceptional ability and pecu-
liarly adapted to the work which has since proved so successful. The firm, which was
organized by these three gentlemen in September of that year, adopted the name of
The Garlock Packing Company, which it still bears, manufacturing packings for steam,
water, and ammonia. The business started with little cspital and with an output of
$1,500 monthly. It has steadily increased in volume and now produces about $350,000
worth of goods per annum. The firm has offices under their own name in all the piinci-
pal cities of the United States and also a branch factory in Rome. Ga. It is one of the
leading manufacturing establishments in the county.
October 1, 1889, Mr. Griffith married Miss Mary E. Adams, daughter of M. C. Adams,
a native of Oneida county and a farmer of Phelps, N. Y. They have one child, Fred-
erick Adams Griffith, born September 7, 1894. Mr. Griffith is an elder in the Presby-
terian church and thoroughly identified with every movement of public importance.
CHARLES H. FORD.
Charles H. Ford, son of Harvey W. and Nancy (Little) Ford, now residents of
Oneida county, was born in Utica, N. Y., October 19, 1861. He is the eldest of three
children ajid spent his boyhood in the place of his birth. His education was acquired
in the public schools, in Boonville Academy, in Whitestown Seminary, and in the
Utica Business College, institutions which thoroughly equipped him with a practical
knowledge of all the English branches and many of the classics. His first employment
was as a clerk in a store. In 1877 he went to Auburn to fill a responsible position in a
large wholesale tobacco house, where he remained four years. In 1881 he came to
Clyde, Wayne county, where he has ever since resided, and where he engaged in busi-
ness for himself under the firm name of Smith & Ford, wholesale tobacco dealers, a
partnership that continued untilSeptember, 1893. Since then Mr. Ford has conducted
the business alone.
During the period of fourteen years which Mr. Ford has spent as a citizen of this
county he has become thoroughly identified with both public and business affairs. His
private commercial operations have placed him among the leaders in finance and execu-
BIOGRAPHICAL. 33
tive management, while his active connection with other enterprises distinguishes him
for rare ability and unerring judgment. He was one of the originators of the Clyde
Electric Light and Power Company, of which he has been president and is now a direc-
tor and a large stockholder. He is a Democrat in politics and has always taken a fore-
most part in all political movements. He has served as trustee of the village of Clyde
one term and as supervisor of the town of Galen two years. In the latter capacity he
was instrumental in changing the sheriff's office to its present status, drafting the bill
and fathering it to a passage and a law, thus fixing the extremely low salary now paid.
He was influential also in changing the county clerk's office as it now exists. Both
these changes have proven inestimably beneficial to taxpayers. He was appointed
canal superintendent by Governor Hill and re appointed by Governor Flower, serving
in all nearly three years, and in this capacity attained a large circle of acquaintances
and great political power. He resigned this office in May, 1893, and in March, 1894,
was appointed sheriff of the county to fill the unexpired term (to January 1, 1895) of
Walter Thornton, deceased. He has frequently been a delegate to county and district
conventions and represented his constituents in this capacity at the Democratic State
conventions of 1S91 and 1894, In all these positions Mr. Ford served with rare ability,
with strict fidelity, and with shrewd political tact. He is in every sense of the term a
public spirited citizen.
He is a member of the Wheeler Rifles (Auburn) N. G. S. N. Y. and of Wayne En-
campment, I. 0. 0. F., Newark. He is past grand of Clyde Lodge, No. 300, 1. 0. 0. F.,
captain of Canton Galen, No. 49, Clyde, and for six years was foreman of Protective
Hook and Ladder Company, Clyde.
November 30, 1886, Mr. Ford married Miss Emily W. Gilbert, daughter of the late
Horace Gilbert, who was connected with the post-office at Auburn for nearly a quarter
of a century. They have had one son, Vivian C, born November 20, 1890.
MARVIN I. GREENWOOD.
Marvin I. Greenwood is a son of Ira and Clarissa M. (Moseley) Greenwood, natives
of Madison county, near Hamilton, and was born January 31, 1840, near _Chittenango,
N. Y, The father was of Scotch origin while the mother sprung from English ancestry ;
they were farmers by occupation, the former being, however, a carpenter by trade.
They moved with their family to the town of Marion, Wayne county, in April, 1840,
but five years later settled in Palmyra. In the spring of 1855 they removed to Arcadia,
where both died — the mother in December, 1863, and the father in December, 1884,
December being also the month of their marriage.
M. I. Greenwood was educated in the common schools of Wayne county, in the
Walworth Academy, and in the Newark Union Free School and Academy. Leaving
the farm, on which he had been reared, he commenced reading law in the office of Hon.
L. M. Norton in Newark, and in December, 1868, was admitted to the bar at Rochester,
General Term. Mr. Norton was elected county judge and surrogate in November,
84 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
1869, and Mr. Greenwood remained in his office during his term of four years, or until
1875, when he began the practice of his profession alone, in which capacity he has since
continued. Born in the Harrison year of 1840 he has always been a steadfast Republi-
can, and in various capacities has served his party with distinction and ability. He has
been a justice of the peace several terms, and from 1877 to 1879 inclusive was district
attorney of Wayne county.
In the Masonic fraternity perhaps no man in Western New York is better known or
more properly distinguished than is Mr. Greenwood. His connection with the order
dates from February, 1865, when he joined Newark Lodge, No. 83, F. ard A. M.,
which he served as master during a period of fourteen years. He has risen to Knight
Templar and a thirty-second degree Mason, being a member of Zenobia Commandery,
No. 41, K. T., and of Rochester Consistory thirty-second degree. Besides holding all
the minor offices he has been high priest of Newark Royal Arch Chapter twelve years,
member of the commission of appeals of the Grand Lodge of the State three years,
grand scribe and grand king of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of New
York each three years, and prelate of Zenobia Commandery, K. T., four years He is
now deputy high priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State and the repre-
sentative of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia in the Grand Lodge of New York.
November 16, 1862, Mr. Greenwood united in marriage with Miss Laura F. Wads-
worth, a native of Phelps. N. Y., and a daughter of Joseph Wadsworth of that place.
They had two sons, Frank M. and Will W. Frank M. Greenwood was born May 4,
1864, graduated from the Newark Union Free School and Academy, and was accident-
ally killed on the West Shore Railroad in Newark early on the foggy morning of Novem-
ber 3, 1883, while performing his duties as timekeeper and clerk for Ryan & McDonald
contractors. He was a very promising young man and a general favorite every-
where. Will W. Greenwood was born April 14, 1870, and is now the manager for
the firm of George A. Horn & C, manufacturers of garment fitting machines in
Newark. He served a term of three years in the Seventh Cavalry U. S. Regular
Army and was orderly sergeant at the time of his discharge at Fort Hancock, Texas, in
September, 1893. He participated in the fight at Pine Ridge Agency and two or three
days later was wounded in the leg at the battle of Wounded Knee, South Dakota.
JAMES W. DUNWELL.
The ancestors of this sketch have been Americans for five generations.
The first of his father's family to come to this country was an English soldier, who
served under General Wolfe in the campaign that terminated with the fall of Quebec.
The advent of his mother's ancestors in this country, who came from Holland, antedates
the Revolution, during which members of the family bore arms in the army of General
Schuyler. Subsequently they settled in Connecticut and in the eastern counties of
New York, some of whom migrated later to Western New York. His father's family
settled in Wayne and his mother's family in Cayuga county.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 35
Almerin Dunwell, the father of James W., was born in Sodus, Wayne county, in
1815, and died at Lyons in 1866. He was a mechanic and at different periods of his
life pursued the occupations of farmer, manufacturer and contractor. He married
Elizabeth H. Storms of Mentz, Cayuga county, whose death took place at Lyons in
1884. They had two children, Charles T. Dunwell of New York city, a lawyer by
profession, and James W. Dunwell, the subject of this sketch.
James W. Dunwell was born at East Newark, Wayne county, N. Y, December 19,
1850. He acquired a good education, beginning in the district schools, later attending
the Lyons Union School, and finishing with parts of three years (1869-71) in Cornell
University. He left the university in June, 1871, to finish his law studies in the office
of Col. Joseph Welling of Lyons. But it must not be inferred that this was the be-
ginning of his law studies. He began when he was seventeen years of age in the office
of John T. Mackenzie of Lyons, and followed him to New York city when he went
thither to become a partner with the late General James W. Husted.
After two years of study with Colonel Welling, succeeding his course in the univer-
sity, Mr. Dunwell was admitted to the bar at the General Term in Buffalo in June,
1873. During his studies he had begun to engage in the trial of cases in Justice's Court
and to conduct appeals arising in his cases in County Court, his talents as a trial lawyer
being thus early developed.
As soon as he was admitted to practice Mr. Dunwell formed a partnership with
Colonel Welling, which continued about two years, and with gratifying success. Fol-
lowing this period he practiced alone about two years and down to the time in 1877
when he became associated with the late Hon. John H. Camp in that harmonious and
most successful partnership which closed only with Mr. Camp's death in 1892.
Mr. Dunwell is a trial lawyer. It is in active, spirited litigation, where the stakes
are large and the interests great, that he feels most happily situated. For routine office
work he has little taste except as it is connected with his litigated cases. With his
partner he acted as attorney for the New York Central and West Shore Railroads, and
since Mr. Camp's death the legal interests of the R. W. & 0. road have been placed in
his hands. He has recently acted as attorney for the county of Wayne and village of
Lyons in highly important litigation, and is regularly retained by other corporate and
individual interests in the territory over which his practice extends. He possesses in a
high degree the intuitive faculty for anticipating the course of his opponent in a case
and the best plan with which to meet it — a qualification which, when coupled with his
large general knowledge of law, acquired by years of experience in litigation, his
thorough preparation, his quick and alert perception of every weak point in his adver-
sary's case, and his power in impressing court and jury, render Mr. Dunwell a foeman
at the bar by whom it is honorable even to be defeated.
Mr. Dunwell has never held a public office. Not for the reason that he might not if
he had so aspired, for he is one of the most efficient and practical workers in the ranks
of the Republican party ; but his aim to achieve a high standing in his profession has
precluded all thoughts of political preferment. He serves on committees of his party
and at conventions with the most delightful facility and with that broad influence that
always follows the efforts of those whose single purpose is to promote their party's
E
36 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
cause. Political jealousy is an unknown sentiment to him, for his party service has
always inured incidentally to the upbuilding of the political fortunes of others, without
reward to himself except the delight he shares in his friends' prosperity.
He was working in caucuses and speaking at conventions by the time he reached his
majority, and he has been at it ever since. As a delegate to county, district, assembly,
senatorial and congressional conventions he has served constantly. He was a delegate
to the National Republican Convention at Minneapolis in 1892, and at the State Con-
vention at Saratoga in 1894. These 'valuable services his fellow citizens stand ready to
reward substantially whenever he will accept public preferment.
Socially, Mr. Dunwell is the courteous gentleman always. Peculiarly outspoken and
open in his personal communications with his fellows; fluent and easy in conversation,
his words always bear weight and render him an agreeable companion, whether for an
hour or a day.
Mr. Dunwell married on May 22, 1873, Mary Ella Groat, daughter of Hon. Richard P.
Groat, a prominent citizen of Newark. They have one daughter, born in February,
187C
THE GAYLORD FAMILY.
This family traces its ancestry back to the Huguenots who emigrated from France
and settled in England. Dr. Levi Gaylord, the first of the family to settle in
Wayne county, was a son of Chauncey, who came from Bristol, Conn., and settled at
Otisco, N. Y. He was a member of Washington's staff in the Revolution. Dr. Gay-
lord was a graduate of Yale, came to Sodus in 1823, and engaged in the practice of
medicine. He was known throughout the State as one of the leading Abolitionists
and temperance workers of the day. He married firs^, Dotia Merriman, by whom he
had one son, Levi M., who studied medicine and located in Sodus. where he died in 1890.
Dr. Gaylord married second, Artimesia Squires. She studied medicine, and for many
years enjoyed an extensive practice. Dr. Gaylord died in 1852 and his wife in 1893,
aged nearly ninety-five. Their children were Willis T., Charles D., Orrin F., and Dotia
C, Artimesia G., Cornelia M. and Sarah S. Dotia married S. P. Hulett; Artimesia
married Dr. Alfred P. Crafts and settled in Wolcott; Cornelia married Prof. S. D.
Hillman, of Carlisle, Pa. ; Sarah married a Mr. West of this town ; Willis T. on arriv-
ing at manhood became a clerk, and in 1851 engaged in the dry goods trade in Sodus,
and throughout his long and successful business career has maintained a reputation for
the utmost integrity. He is a prominent member and officer of the Presbyterian church,
with which he has been identified over forty years. He married first Elizabeth Landon,
and had two children : Carlton D. and Elizabeth H. In 1864 he married second Mary
Preston, by whom he had three children, only Willis T. surviving. Charles D. Gaylord
moved to Lyons on arriving at manhood, where he held a clerkship. In 1855 he went
to Milwaukee, where until 1861 he conducted a hardware business. Returning to
Sodus he engaged in the same line until 1881, when he retired and was succeeded by
BIOGRAPHICAL. 87
his son, Frank D. In that year, with S. P. Hulett, he established the banking house of
Hulett & Gaylord, which partnership was severed by the death of Mr. Hulett in 1884,
and Mr. Gaylord has since continued the business alone. He was supervisor in 1876,
is a member of Sodus Lodge No. 392, F. & A. M., and of Wayne Chapter, and also
belongs to the R. T. of T., and has been a prominent member and officer of the Presby-
terian church for over twenty years. In 1857 he married Jennie R. Gaylord of Lima,
and their children are : Frank D., Charles W. and Dora T. Orrin T. Gaylord settled in
Oswego and was a partner for several years with Irwin Sloane & Co., and later a mem-
ber of the firm of Gaylord, Downey & Co., extensive grain dealers of that city.
LAMOTT M. BLAKELY.
Lamott M. Blakely, mayor of the village of Lyons, was born in Perry, Wyoming
county, N. Y., November 19, 1828. His father, Jason^ Blakely, a native of Vermont,
settled on a farm in that county about 1816, and died there. tEzra Blakely, the father of
Jason, was a Revolutionary soldier and lived and died in Manchester, Vt. Jason married
Mary Ward, the daughter of a veteran of the Revolution; her mother, a Miss Butler
was a cousin of the late Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, of Massachusetts. Mrs. Blakely died
in Lyons April 22, 1879.
Lamott M. Blakely obtained Jiis education in the district schools of his native county
and in Honeoye and Richmond Mills in Ontario county, finishing in the academy at East
Bloomfield under that celebrated instructor, Professor Clark, author of Clark's Gram-
mar, etc. He inherited the Scotch characteristics of his father andthe English stability
of his mother, which, combined, make one of the strongest individualities known in
human nature. In 1848 Mr. Blakely came to Lyons, but soon afterward went to Iowa
and Illinois, where he engaged extensively in the lumber trade, becoming a heavy shipper
from various places on the Mississippi River in Iowa to all points below St. Joseph on
the Missouri. He continued the northwestern lumber enterprises until the breaking out
of the Rebellion, which closed all traffic for the time on the Missouri River. The business
brought him into wide prominence and into contact with representatives of immense
interests everywhere. In 1862 he was sent as a delegate to the Iowa Republican State
Convention at Des Moines. In 1864 he settled in Lyons,]where he has ever since main-
tained a legal residence.
His great activity craved broader fields of operation, and at the close of the Civil war
he engaged in the cotton business at Atlanta, Ga., where he handled large quantities of
that product. From 1866 to 1870 he also carried on the trade at Washington, N. C, and
at other places, including Newbern and Greenville. At one time he handled a large
portion of all the cotton received at those points. In the meantime he resumed the
lumber business and soon became one of the largest operators in the South, the principal
varieties handled being pine, juniper, and cypress. These operations extended over a
period of nearly twenty years, and brought him into personal contact with all the lead-
ing men of the time. Georgetown, S. C, and Washington and Newbern, N. C, were
38 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
the principal seats of these enterprises, which extended many miles inland. No man
sustained a better or a wider reputation throughout the States of North and South
Carolina and Georgia. His name became almost a household word, and his integrity
and responsibility were never questioned. He won the good will and profound respect of
every southern family and still counts many of their members on his long list of warmest
friends. He disbursed hundreds of thousands of dollars among the inhabitants, and
generously performed and received many acts of kindness. Scarcely a southerner passes
through Lyons without halting for a visit to their old-time friend and co-laborer. His
great business ability, his universal popularity, his steadfastness and unswerving
integrity, his irreproachable character, his uniform kindness and liberality, his genial
temperament and rare social qualities are both recognized and remembered, and are
cherished in the hearts of thousands of people in every station in life.
In 1888 Mr. Blakely rebuilt his house in Lyons into the present handsome residence,
and since then has made that village his permanent home. He has during these few
years taken a deep and active interest in public affairs and always lends his influence in
promoting ever}' good movement. His southern life compelled him, in a measure,
to avoid political preferment, yet he staunchly maintained principles of right and ever
possessed the courage of his convictions. In the village of his residence, however,
he has freely mingled in politics, and being a Republican has served his townsmen in
various positions of responsibility. In 1892 he was an alternate delegate to the National
Republican Convention at Minneapolis, and has served two years as village trustee. In
March, 1894, he was elected mayor of Lyons, an office he now holds. His administra-
tion has been characterized by many public improvements and the economical expendi-
ture of money. Mr. Blakely is a vestryman in Grace Church, and in the broadest
sense of the word a highly respected, progressive and public-spirited citizen.
DE WITT W. PARSHALL.
Hon. De Witt W. Parhsall was born at Palmyra, March 23, 1812. His father,
Nathan Parshall, of French origin, and a descendant of the Huguenots, was a native of
Orange county, from whence he removed to Palmyra in 1790. In 1806 he married
Mary Ann, daughter of James Galloway, a native of New York city, who had also re-
moved to Palmyra with his family about 1790. Of this marriage were born four chil-
dren, who lived to mature age, Elizabeth, the late Mrs. Cullen Foster, of Lyons ;
De Witt ; Hendee, who still resides on the old family homestead at Palmyra ; and
Schuyler, now a resident of Alabama. De Witt after a few terms at the Canandaigua
Academy, where for a time he was a class and roommate of Stephen A. Douglass, chose
the law as a profession, and entered at Lyons the law office of the late General William
H. Adams. Young Parshall industriously pursued his law studies, and was admitted to
the bar in 1838, having, since leaving his father's house and including his attendance at
the academy, entirely supported himself tby his own exertions. Teaching, surveying,
writing at odd spells in the county clerk's office, etc., were the means by which he met
BIOGRAPHICAL. 39
his living expenses. He first started a law office on his own account at Lyons ; but in
1839 formed a law partnership with the late Judge Theron R. Strong, of Palmyra and
removed to that village, In 1840, feeling that he could make for himself a better field
at the county seat, at his own request the partnership with Judge Strong was dissolved,
and he returned to Lyons, where he has since remained. In addition to his law prac-
tice he soon became extensively engaged in real estate, and down to the present time
has continued to be the most extensive dealer in and owner of real estate in his county,
the village of Lyons owing much of its prosperity to his enterprise and public spirit.
In 1852 he started " The Palmyra Bank of Lyons," in 1854 changed its name to '' The
Lyons Bank ; " and again in 1865, converted it into "The Lyons National Bank," under
which name it is now enjoying a large and successful business. In April, 1838, Mr.
Parshall married Susan Hecox, a lady of rare intellectual and moral excellence. Mr.
and Mrs. Parshall have had three children : Henry, who died at the age of thirty-five,
leaving a wife and three children ; De Witt, who died at the age of twenty-five ; and
Catherine, now Mrs. D. S. Chamberlin. Mr. Parshall has served as supervisor of the
town, president of the village, and in 1868 represented the first Assembly district of
Wayne county in the Assembly. He died in May, 1880.
BYRAM GREEN,
Hon. Byram Green was born iu Windsor, Vt., April 15, 1786. This family of
Greens emigrated to America in 1638. Byram being a descendant of the early Plym-
outh colonists of, that name, one of whom was Samuel Green, who in the seventeenth
century was a successor of Steven Day in the first printing establishment introduced
into the colony. His father emigrated from Plymouth county to Windsor on the Green
Mountains, became a farmer and held the office of selectman for many years. In 1800
he moved to Williamstown to educate his children. He was captain of a company in
the Revolution, in which war he served until the surrender of Cornwallis. He was
offered a pension, but declined it. Hon. Byram Green entered Williams College in his
eighteenth year and graduated in 1808. After leaving college he studied for the minis-
try at Andover, preached for a time, but owing to his ill health was compelled to give
up the ministry, and accompanied by his brother, Dr. Joseph Green, he went to the
island of Beaufort, S. C, in 1810, where he taught in the Beaufort College for one term,
when he resigned (declining a brilliant offer to stay), and with his brother embarked for
Western New York. The brothers finally decided to settle in Sodus and while their
log house was building, made their home in a buttonwood log that measured seven feet
at the base. In these days they endured the hardships incident to those early times,
but were energetic and prospered. In 1827 Judge Green helped to draw the timber for
the first Presbyterian church in that region, and he and family were faithful attendants
thereafter. In 1812, during the war with Great Britain, he engaged in a skirmish at
Sodus Point at the time it was burned but escaped uninjured. He was supervisor of
Sodus in 1827-40-42, assessor in 1813, juetice of the peace in 1827, school commissioner
40 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
in 1813-17-21-28-39-40, Softool inspector in 1814-15-16-17-20-26, State senator in
1823-24, member of the Legislature several years, member of Congress in 1845-46, and
was deputy United States collector in 1835, under General G-ould, of Rochester, mak-
ing his headquarters at Pultneyville. He held this position several years. He was
chairman of the committee on Erie Canal while in the State Senate, and rode on the
first canal boat that went through from Albany to Buffalo. Dewitt Clinton and other
distinguished persons were also on board. Judge Green was a warm personal and politi-
cal friend of Martin Van Buren, who, while president, offered Judge Green the position
of minister to Naples. This, however, was declined for several reasons. Byram Green
was one of the originators of foreign missions. While attending Williams College, at
Williamstown, Mass., he with four other young men of his class became much inter-
ested in this cause, and one day in 1806 they went into a field near the college for a
season of prayer. While so engaged a heavy thunder storm came on, and they moved
for shelter to a haystack near by and continued their devotions. In after years Byram
Green, then the only surviving member of his group, passed through Williamstown and
identified the spot where the haystack had stood. A monument was afterwards
erected to commemorate this haystack prayer meeting, and his name with names of the
other four students was engraved upon the monument as the originators of foreign
missions.
CHARLES B. SHERMAN.
Charles B. Sherman, born in Phelps, Ontario county, December 21, 1804, was a son
of John and Chloe (Dickinson) Sherman, natives of Massachusetts, who were early set-
tlers of Phelps, and came to Rose Valley in 1811 where they died. Mr. Sherman
served in the Revolutionary war. Father of subject was a child when he came to Rose.
He was a farmer and at his death owned 111 acres, where the family now reside, and
the farm is now carried on by Ezra A. Sherman. His first wife was Lucinda Allen, by
whom he had five sons and one daughter. His second wife was Charlotte J. Tyler, a
native of Oneida county and a daughter of Chester and Harriet Strong, he a native of
Bridgeport, Conn. They came to Oneida in an early day where Mr. Tyler died August
20, 1831, and his wife died in Hannibalville. Mr. Sherman and second wife had three
children, Chester T., who married Harriett C. Kimberly of Auburn, by whom he has one
daughter, Marion C. He was educated in Rose Union School, Auburn Academy and Roch-
ester Business University, from which he graduated May 27, 1885. He is now clerk of
the Board of Revision, Pension Bureau, at Washington, D. C, resigning the offices of
assessor and excise commissioner of Rose when he received the appointment; Ezra A.,
born in Rose January 27, 1866, and educated at the Rose Union School. He is a
fanner and makes a specialty of breeding Hambletonian horses, and at present owns
Ezra A., which has a record of 2.27 1-2. Mr. Sherman has been town clerk one term ;
and Harriet E., wife of Mauley G. Fowler of Rochester, and who lias a son born on
September 10, 1894.
BIOGRAPHICAL. 41
M. HOPKINS.
M. Hopkins, attorney, was born in Ontario, September 13, 1835. He was reared on
a farm and attended the common schools, later studying law with H. K. Jerome, and
D. B. Mclntyre of Palmyra, being admitted to the bar in December, 1860. After the
war Mr. Hopkins began practice in Palmyra. In 1892 he took into partnership F. E.
Converse, a native of Palmyra, who had studied law with him and was admitted to the
bar in 1890. In addition to his practice, Mr. Hopkins also has large farming interests,
raising trotting horses, short horn cattle, and Shropshire sheep as specialties. His
father, Joseph, was born in New Jersey in 1800, came to this town about 1824, and
died December 25, 1889. Mr. Hopkins was district attorney three years. In 1873 he
he married Rebecca S., daughter of Martin Butterfield, formerly a member of Congress,
from this district, and of their two daughters, one survives.
PART III.
FAMILY SKETCHES
FAMILY SKETCHES.
Terry, George H., was born in Elba, Genesee county, November 11, 1865, was edu-
cated in the common schools, and finished at the select school of E. G. Thrall, of Ba-
tavia, after which he established a manufacturing business in Toronto. Selling out in
1886, he traveled six years and January 1, 1893, bought the wallpaper, window shades,
room and picture moldings business of Jacob Sees in Lyons, to which he has added
largely, and is now carrying the finest line of his goods in Wayne county. He also
does a large wholesale trade, shipping goods to all parts of New York State and Can-
ada. At the age of eighteen he married Myrtle V., daughter of Calvin S. Loomis, of
Batavia, N. Y. Our subject is one of the most active business men in his town, iden-
tified in advancing its best interests, and is recognized as a man of sterling integrity
and worth.
Taylor, E. P., was born in Lyons February 27, 1833. His father, Elijah, was a na-
tive of Northampton, Mass., and came to Lyons in 1822 and followed the manufactur-
ing of leather for fifty-three years. The same business is now continued by the son
William in Lyons. E. P. Taylor was educated at the Lyons Union School and then en-
tered the tanning business. In 1869 he bought the A. F. Redfield tannery at Clyde in
connection with his brother Lathrop, continuing up to 1884, when he disposed of his
interest to his brother George J. In the same year he bought the Oliver Penoyer
farm four miles north of Lyous of 125 acres, raising fruit, hay, grain and stock. At the
age of twenty-five he married Juliette Paton, daughter of James and Mehitable Dunn,
of Lyons, and who are the parents of two children : Elijah D. and Mrs. Lettie M.
Langdon. Our subject has been prominently identified in advancing the best interests
of the town of Galen, having been trustee of School District No. 4 in 1875 and 1876,
building the south side school house during his term of office. He was supervisor in
1877-1878 and was appointed county treasurer by the Board of Supervisors for the
year 1879, taking an active interest in educational and religious matters, having been a
member of the M. E. Church thirty-five years, and is recognized as a man of sterling
integrity and worth, whose life has proven his word to be as good as his bond.
Townsend, Jonathan, was born in Hebron, Conn., December 13, 1787, and died at
Palmyra, N. Y., September 15, 1853. He was the eldest of six children. Early in life
he removed with his father to Brattleboro, Vermont. They were merchants in that
place for several years. From Vermont they removed to Marcy, Oneida county. N. Y.,
and purchased a large dairy farm. It was on this farm his father was killed by a bull
October 8, 1820, aged fifty-eight years. He married Ruth Hubbard, of Trenton,
Oneida county, N. Y., March 13, 1827, who was born in Middletown, Conn., April 15,
1791, and died at Palmyra, N Y., May 27, 1860. From Marcy he removed to Ashta-
bula, Ohio, where he was engaged in the hardware business for a short time. From
that place he came to reside in Palmyra, N. Y., in 1836, and bought a farm of one
hundred acres. They had two children : Mary Elizabeth Townsend, born in Marcy,
Oneida county, N. Y., October 21, 1830, and died at Palmyra, N. Y., September 7,
4 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
1872. She was married to John Pitkin, of Hartford, Conn., November 29, 1855;
George Hubbard Townsend, born at Marcy, Oneida county, N. Y., November 3, 1833,
died at Palmyra, N. Y., January 5, 1892. November 22, 1862, he married Isabella
J. Johnson who was born at Palmyra, N. Y., October 20, 1839, daughter of David
Johnson by his second wife, Juliana Case (maiden name Kelsey), who was born in
Portland, Conn., March 1, 1804, died at Palmyra, N. Y., July 7," 1877. They had two
children: Jonathan, who died August 25, 1864, aged three months, and George John-
son Townsend, born at Palmyra, N. Y., August 26, 1868, and is now living with his
mother on the farm near Palmyra.
Talcott, Benjamin Arad, was born in Huron on the farm he now owns September
10, 1862, the son of Joseph Talcott, born on the same place in 1821. He was the son
of Arad Talcott, a native of Coventry, Conn., who came to Huron with an ox team in
1817, and settled on the farm now owned by our subject, where he and wife spent the
rest of their days. Joseph is now a retired farmer, living in the town of Wolcott.
His wife is Celestia Chapin, and their children are: Cornelia, widow of Jacob Gurnee,
of Huron ; Mary Ella, wife of William Baker, of Wolcott, and Benjamin A. At the
age of twenty-one our subject began for himself on the homestead farm, making a
specialty of fruit growing. In January, 1891, he married Nellie, daughter of Judson
and Electa Boynton, of Wolcott, who was born in 1S66, and they have one child, Lois
E., born April 11, 1894. Our subject is a member of the Wolcott Grange, and is a Re-
publican.
Thacker, William H., senior member of the firm of Thacker Bros. & Co., of Wolcott,
was born June 26, 1833, at Owasco, Cayuga county, N. Y. He came to Wolcott in
1840, and until forty years of age his principal occupation was farming. He moved to
Wolcott village in 1873. In 1875 the present business was established in copartnership
with his brother, Albert B., and has grown to be the most important retail business of
Wolcott, with dry goods, boots and shoes and groceries as specialties. September 5,
1855, he married Augusta M. Rice, of Wolcott. In 1868 they united with the Presby-
terian Church of Wolcott. Mr. Thacker has held many positions of trust in Wolcott,
attesting the esteem and confidence in which he is justly held. Among them might be
mentioned twenty-five years of service in the Board of Education of Leavenworth
Institute, and Wolcott Union School.
Traver, Asa, was born in the town of Galen, January 16, 1837. His father, Daniel,
came to Wayne county in 1830. He was a prominent farmer of his town and died
July 5, 1870, aged eighty-five years, Asa Traver was educated in the common schools,
to which he has added through life by reading and close observation. After leaving
school he returned to his father's farm, and at the age of twenty-five married Lovina,
daughter of Heman Shepard, and they are the parents of one son, Heman D. Traver.
In 1869 he came to Clyde and purchased the Myers property; in 1872 purchased the
Melzer Whittlesey farm, having 112 acres, raising fruit, grain and stock.
Thomas. Andrew A., was born in Huron November 16, 1856, son of William Henry
Thomas, of Huron, a native of Cayuga county, born April 25, 1823. The grandparents
were Alexander and Ruth (Hart) Thomas, of Amsterdam. The father of our subject
was bound out at the age of seven years to learn the weaver's trade. When eighteen he
came to Huron and engaged in the business for himself. His wife was Emeline
Graham, of Rochester, and their children were: Andrew and Eliza Jane, deceased
wife of Henry Kline, of Huron. Our subject has devoted his life to farming. In 1883
he married Matie A., daughter of Lewis and Rebecca Kline, of Huron. He and his
wife are members of the Huron Grange.
Terry, Fred H., was born in Clyde, August 3, 1854. His father, Alfred F. Terry,
was a native of Long Island and was one of the first settlers in the village of Clyde.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 5
Fred H. Terry, after leaving school, entered a drug store in Clyde, where he remained
a short time and then, in 1872, went to Sioux City. Here, in connection with his
father, he ran a steamboat in the U. S. government employ, carrying Indian supplies
from Sioux City to Fort Benton, Montana, and freighted the first cargo of lumber and
building materials that reached the city of Bismarck on the Missouri river. He re-
turned to Clyde in 1S73 and entered the employ of Dr. -J. E. Smith. In 1876 he
bought out J. P. Pardee and succeeded him in the drug business. Mr. Terry is now one
of the leading druggists in the town. He married Miss Katie Wood, daughter of Henry
Wood, and to them one child, Viva, has been born.
Turner, Dr. Jennie, was born in the town of Manchester, a daughter of John Turner,
who was a prominent farmer of that town. At the age of fifteen she entered the
Academy at Newark, obtaining a teacher's certificate at sixteen, teaching in that school
for two years. In 1872 she entered the Cortland Normal and graduated in 1874, and
in the fall of the same year took charge of the school at Dryden, Tompkins county, as
one of the principals, resigning in 1877. The same year she entered the medical depart-
ment of the University of Michigan, graduating in 1879. Afterwards a year was
spent in the New England Hospital for Women and Children at Boston. Willi this
ripe experience she came to Lyons in 1881 and at once took a prominent part in prac-
tice. During the past five years she has been secretary of the Wayne County Medical
Society, and she is frequently called in consultation by leading physicians of the county.
She was a partner during the first three years of her practice at Lyons with Dr. C. C.
Hall. Dr. Turner is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and an active worker in all
movements for the uplifting of society. While at college and at school she distin-
guished herself as a fine student and her career as a physician has been marked by
severe study and laborious practice.
Thayer, Aldrich, was born in Macedon, May 16, 1800, the fifth often children of
William and Chloe (Preston) Thayer, natives of Massachusetts, who came to New
York in 1800, and settled in Palmyra (now Macedon), being pioneers of Wayne county.
The grandfather, William, also of Massachusetts, came to Macedon and spent his last
days with his son, William. He died at about eighty years of age. William Thayer, jr.,
came to Ontario about 1820, and bought land on the Lake road. He died in 1822,
and his wife in 1838. Aldrich was reared on a farm, and has always been engaged in
farming. He now has about seventy-six acres, and has given his sons about 140 acres.
His son, William, now carries on the business on both farms. Mr. Thayer has been
twice married, first to Hulda Olcott, by whom he had eight children, two sons, one liv-
ing, and two daughters living. She died in 1837, and he married second, Mary Ann.
daughter of Josiah and Electa (Rogers) McKee, by whom he has had five children, three
sons, two living, and two daughters, now living. In politics Mr. Thayer is a Repub-
lican, and Mrs. Thayer is a member of the Methodist church.
Taylor, Emcgene, daughter of the late Arthur Bowen, of Fulton, was born there in
1845, and came to Red Creek with her parents when five years of age. January 1,
1860, she married Bennet Taylor, who entered the Union army in 1864, and lost his
life at Newbern, N. C, at the age of thirty. He left two daughters : Minnie, now Mrs.
Robert Worden ; and Libbie, the wife of Fred Owen. In 1874 Mrs. Taylor built the
commodious hotel, known as the Taylor House, conducting it in person, and with much
satisfaction to her patrons.
Tyrrell, J. S., was born in 1838 at Plainfield, Mass., and is the son of Ezra Tyrrell, a
manufacturer of wooden ware at that place. The Tyrrells are conspicuous for lon-
gevity, Ezra being now ninety-five years of age. His wife, Lucy (Lowden), died in
1864, leaving six children, of whom our subject is the sole representative in Wayne
county. J. S. Tyrrell is a man of original thought and indomitable will, and has hewed
6 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
his own way to success in life, having been dependent upon the public schools of New-
England for his educational advantages in youth. His various business enterprises in
real estate, crockery, and evaporated fruits, do not wholly engross his energies, as he
also operates three farms, one of which is conducted by his youngest son. George F.
His wife was Cynthia E. Leonard, of Northampton, Mass., and they were married
September 26, 1859, and had five children : Mary A., Walter V., George F., Mabel L.,
and Leila B. Mr. Tyrrell is a staunch Republican, and has been honored with various
positions of trust. He and his wife and children are members of the Presbyterian
church.
Thomas, Byron, was born in Berlin, Rensselaer county, December 12, 1843. The
family came to Newark in 1857, where our subject received his education in the Union
school and the academy. He first taught school, and later was a clerk in the post-
office. He then entered the First National Bank of Newark as a clerk, was promoted
through the several grades to the position of cashier, which he held for a number of
years. In 1884 he was elected county clerk, and removing to Lyons, took possession
of the office January 1, 1885, serving three years. He Avas also trustee of the village of
Lyons two years, clerk of the village of Newark, and trustee also of the railway com-
missioners of the town. May 23, 1871, he married Ellen C. Smith, of Newark, and
they have one daughter, Martha A., a student in Utica. Rowland, father of Byron,
was also born in Berlin, February 23, 1807. He went to Hancock, Mass., where he
read medicine with his cousin, Dr. P. H. Thomas, then took a course in Berkshire Med-
ical Institute at Pittsfield, the medical department of Williams College, graduating in
1831. He then attended lectures in Albany for three years, and began practice at
Petersburg, N. Y., with Dr. Hiram Moses, remaining nine years. Returning to Berlin,
he practiced with distinguished success until 1857, when he removed to Newark for the
purpose of educating his son. He was always interested in educational matters, and
was a member of the Board of Education for a period of twelve years. He was a Re-
publican in politics. His wife was Adeha M. Hinsdill, of Bennington, Vt,, and their
children were: Byron, and a daughter, who died in infancy. He died June 13, 1892,
and his wife, June 7, 1893. A sister, Martha, now 85 years of age, survives him and
resides with Byron at the old homestead in Newark.
Van Buskirk, Jacob Tremper, was born at Buskirk's Bridge, N. Y., May 5, 1823. at
which place he passed the earlier years of his life. In 1842 he came to Clyde, and re-
sided here from that date until his death, June 2, 1891. He was postmaster at Clyde
during President Taylor's administration from 1849 to 1853, and served as deputy-
postmaster for more than twenty years. Upon the completion of the New York Cen-
tral Railroad, in 1854, he was appointed the first ticket agent in Clyde. He was
amongst the first to volunteer his services in the Rebellion, enlisting as first lieutenant
of Company B, 111th N. Y. Volunteers, and on his departure to the front he was pre-
sented with a handsome and valuable sword by the citizens of Clyde. This sword is
now the property of his eldest son, a cherished emblem and revered heirloom. At the
surrender of Harper's Ferry, in 1862, Lieutenant Van Buskirk was taken prisoner,
parolled, and afterward honorably discharged. In 1869 he was elected a justice of the
peace, and held the position continuously by re-election until his death, covering a
period of nearly twenty- four years. He also served one term as justice of sessions.
Mr. Van Buskirk was an active member of Snedaker Post, No. 173, G. A. R., serving
as its commander and adjutant. He was prominently connected with the Presbyterian
Church, being an elder therein from 1868 to 1880, and superintendent of its Sunday
school from 1859 to 1872. In all positions in life he conscientiously discharged his
duties with characteristic fidelity; he was honored with many offices of trust, which
he ably filled to the lasting benefit of his constituents. April 5, 1849, he married Phoebe
S. Lyron, who died February 14, 1886. Five children survive them, viz. : Albert M.,
of Clyde; Amelia L., and Barton W., of Rochester; George A., of Massilon, 0., and
FAMILY SKETCHES: 7
Henry J., of Toledo, 0. Albert M. Van Buskirk was the first superintendent and
local manager of the Clyde Water Works, and held the position until his resignation in
1891, when he removed to Greencastle. Ind., and took charge of the water works at
that city. He subsequently returned to his native town, and resumed newspaper work
on the Clyde Times, with which journal he has been connected for twenty years, suc-
cessively serving as apprentice, journeyman and local editor. In the spring of 1894 he
was elected a justice of the peace for the town of Galen.
Taber, Henry R., born in Lewis county, January 21, 1829, is the youngest of four
children of Silas and Susanna (Bristol) Taber, he a native of Dutchess county, born
October 9, 1789, and she a native of Sand Lake, Rensselaer, born August 25, 1788. He
died in Palmyra, June 5, 1875, and his wife April 30, 1876. Our subject was educated
in the common schools, Marion Academy, and Palmyra Classical Union School, and
studied law with Charles McLouth, of Palmyra. He was admitted to the bar in 1865,
since which he has followed his profession. He was elected justice in 1858, and except
one and one-half years has since filled the office. He has been justice of sessions sev-
eral times, and is now serving his eleventh term as supervisor. Mr. Taber married,
May 14, 1850, Thankful M., a daughter of William and Mary (Srope) Bilby, of Marion.
Her parents died, October 30, 1861, and December 1. 1864, respectively. Mr. Taber
and wife have had one child, Elida J., who resides with them.
"Van Duyne, EzraM., living two and one-half miles north of the village, is the son of
Abraham W. and Sarah Van Duyne, of Phelps, N. Y., was born in Palmyra, Wayne
county, 1ST. Y., September 19, 1849, he being one of eight children, two living in Wayne
county, Ezra and Smith Van Duyne, the latter living at Butler. Ezra was educated at
the Phelps Union School, attending winters and working on the farm during the sum-
mer months; was married, February 11, 1874, to Hattie A., oldest daughter of Daniel
Harrington, of Savannah. The years intervening 1874 and 1883 were passed in But-
ler. Mrs. Ezra Van Duyne now occupies the home in which she was born, rebuilt, bow-
ever, in 1864, where her parents settled in the year of 1847, it being at that time a
wilderness. Her great-grandfather, William Harrington, was the first white settler in
Butler. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Van Duyne, are: George H., born November 12,
1874, Delia A., who died in infancy, and Bertha, born August 17, 1882. Mr. Van
Duyne is a Republican, and both he and his wife are members of the church of the
disciples at Butler. The parents of Mr. Van Duyne. are both dead, his mother dying
March 26, 1881, his father coming to Savannah at the death of his wife to reside. In
May, 1887, he was severely injured in a railway accident, from which he never fully
recovered, his death occurring September 2, 1887.
Vanostrand, Fred L., a native of Marion, born August 29, 1834, is the second of nine
children of Charles and Sally (Sanford) Vanostrand. Her father, Stephen Sanford, one
of the pioneers of Marion, came from Tiverton, R. I., and settled in Marion when
twenty-one years of age. The grandfather was Charles, who spent most of his life in
Saratoga county and died aged ninety-four years. The father was bound to millwright
trade at the age of fourteen, and at the age of twenty-one went to Canada. He built
the first saw mill in Mexico, and put up the first thrasher in Western New York. He
died in Marion in 1874, aged seventy-seven. The mother still survives. Subject was
reared on the farm and educated at the Marion Institute. He married in 1858 Lydia,
daughter of Daniel and Hannah Dean, of Marion, and they have one son and one daugh-
ter : Byron D. and Mary H. Byron married Eva Brown, and is county superintendent
of public schools in Marion, Kan.; is a graduate of Cornell University, and is also a
practicing lawyer. He is superintendent of city schools of Marion, Kan. Mr. Van-
ostrand has always followed farming, his home being in Marion, but has spent some
time in Kansas. He carries on general farming and fruit growing, also dairying. He
is a member of the Grange, also a member of the A. 0. TJ. W., and of Marion Lodge
No. 296. *
8 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Ure, Hosea, of Savannah, was born in 1825, at Pompey, Onondaga county, a son
of William and and Susan (Drake) Ure, of Pompey. In 1826 they moved to Volney
(now Palermo), Oswego county, where the subject's boyhood was spent. His parents
being poor, and being left an orphan at the age of seventeen, he received only a com-
mon school education. He became a Christian in 1843, was licensed to preach, and ap-
pointed to the Truxton Circuit in 1848, joined the Onondaga Conference of the Metho-
dist Protestant church in 1849, was ordained in 1852, and was in the active work of the
ministry the most of the time until 1890, Wolcott being his last change. He has
preached as pastor in Cortland, Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis, Herkimer, Otsego, Cayuga,
and Wayne counties, represented our conference as delegate to the General Conference
in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1870. He married in 1847 Rhoda A. Howard, of Mexico, N. Y.
The mother of Darius D. Ure, boni in 1858, is now in Nebraska. Rhoda died in 1849,
and in 1851 Mr. Ure married Ruth Blanchard, of Wayne county, and their children
were : Charles S., born in 1852 ; Rhoda, born in 1855 ; Lineus, born in 1856 ; Frank
S., born in 1858; Mary E., born in 1862 ; Nellie, born in 1868 ; and Hosea, jr., born in
1870. In 1882 Mr. Ure was again bereaved of his wife, and in 1883 married Charity
Dean, widow of Alonzo L. Dean, and now lives quietly on Clyde street in Savannah.
Van Duser, Sylvester B., was born at Fairville, October 1, 1846. His early life was
spent in his father's mill and on the farm, and received his education from the public
schools. In 1863 he enlisted in Company F, Second Mounted Rifles, N. Y. Volunteers,
and was mustered into service February 4, 1864. He participated in all the engage-
ments from Spottsylvania Court House to the siege of Petersburg, and was honorably
discharged at Buffalo, August 10, 1865. He is a member of Vosburg Post No. 99, G.
A. R., department of New York, and has held the position of commander three years,
and was re-elected to the office of chaplain last December. Upon his return from the
army in the fall and winter of 1865-66 he attended Marion Academy, and then occu-
pied the position of clerk for E. P. Soverhill and for Soverhill & Nicholoy. February
22, 1872, Mr. Van Duser purchased E. P. Soverhill's interest and a copartnership was
formed with W. H. Nicholoy, under the firm name of Nicholoy & Van Duser. This
continued twenty years, when Mr. Van Duser purchased Mr. Nicholoy's interest and is
conducting the general dry goods business on his own account with success. January
2, 1872, he married Ellen A. Eddy, of Taunton; Mass., and ihey had six children: S.
Eddy, died in infancy, Sylvester B., jr., Orville B., Elizabeth E., Douglas H., and G.
Rhodes. Mr. Van Duser's father, Robert Van Duser, was born February 9, 1821. For
the greater part of his life he was a miller, but later took up farming. September 22,
1840, he married Phebe Rose of the town of Arcadia, and to them the following chil-
dren were born: Elizabeth, Frances A., Sylvester B. (as noted above), Charles E.,
Emma O, Robert A., and Hiram A. Mr. Van Duser died March 16, 1882, but his wife
is still living. Mr. Saul Eddy was born in Taunton, Mass., February 16, 1819. He was
educated in the common schools of his town and then learned the mechanics' trade.
His wife was Abby Clark, of Taunton, and the following children were born to them:
Emma C, Abby A., Ellen A. (above noted), and Alice E. Mrs. Eddy died in 1857;
her husband survives and resides at the old home. Mr. Sylvester Van Duser is an of-
ficial member of the M. E. church an J one of its trustees. Mrs. Van Dnser is a mem-
ber of the Baptist church.
Van Valkenburg, C. F., was born at Victory, Cayuga county, November 6, 1848.
When eighteen years of age he learned the jeweler's trade at Port Byron, and in 1869
established himself at Red Creek, where he remained five years. In 1874 he came to
Wolcott as a partner for six years with W. D. Campbell, and in 1880 established an in-
dependent business, now conducted by his son Lee. September 1, 1874, he married
Alida Williams, of Red Creek, and they have two children : Lee, born July 14, 1875,
and Genevieve, born July 4, 1878. Mr. Van Valkenburg was appointed postmaster of
Wolcott, April 1, 1894.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 9
Veeder, Major A., A.M., M.D., was born at Ashtabula, 0., November 2, 1848, lived at
Schenectady, N. Y., from 1850 to 1871, graduating from the classical department of the
Union School in that city in 1866, and from Union College in 1870, was principal of
Ives Seminary at Antwerp, N. Y. several years. Studied in Leipzig University, Ger-
many, and graduated in medicine from the Medical Department of the University of
Buffalo in 1883, then entered upon general practice at Lyons, N. Y., for three years in
association with Dr. E. W. Bottum and subsequently alone. Dr. Veeder is a member in
good standing of the Wayne County and Central New York Societies and has read and
published many papers upon medical topics. He is also a member of the American So-
ciety of Microscopists and has been employed as an expert to give evidence of this class
in medico-legal and other cases. He was one of the earliest investigators to adduce
positive evidence that freezing does not purify water from the presence of living mi-
croscopic organisms, a point whose importa nee has since come to be very generally
recognized. His contributions to Sanitary Science have won for him recognition, and
he has recently been honored by a request to prepare a paper to be read at the Inter-
national Congress of Hygiene and Demography to beheld at Buda Pesth, Austria. Since
1887 he has been a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
and has presented to that body the results of his own original researches respecting
certain phases of meteorological science, which are beginning to attract wide spread at-
tention. These results have been set forth somewhat in detail in a series of papers which
he read before the Rochester (N. Y.) Academy of Science and which have been publish-
ed by that institution, entitled "The Forces Concerned in the Development of Storms,"
"Thunderstorms," "The Aurora" and "The Zodiacal Light." As the result of
the interest aroused by these and other articles, he was invited to prepare
papers which were presented at the International Congress of Meteorology
held at Chicago in 1893 on the following topics, "Periodic and Non-periodic
Fluctuation in the Latitude of Storm Tracks" and "An International
Cypher Code for Correspondence respecting the Aurora and Related Conditions." These
researches have led to the organization of a system of concerted observatories of the
aurora in which the Arctic explorers,Lieut. Perry and Dr. Nansen, are co-operating with
observers scattered throughout every part of the earth where this phenomenon is en-
countered at all. The results of these organized efforts have been to establish an anpar-
ect relation of the aurora, not only to the disturbances of the earth's magnetismwith
which it has long been known to be associated, but also to thunderstorms, and to certain
very definite solar conditions in a manner not heretofore suspected. If these results,
which now seem highly probable, are verified completely by the earnest efforts being
made to that end, it will revolutionize meteorology absolutely. In connection with the
studies above indicated Dr. Veeder has become a contributor to many journals both in
this and other countries and has entered into active correspondence with investigators
connected with various societies and institutions in all parts of the earth. He is also a
member of the Holland Society of New York, whose members are required to be de-
scendants in the direct line of Hollanders who came to this country previous to 1675, he
being a descendant at the eighth generation of Simon Volkertse Veeder, who was
purser of the ship Prince Maurice of the Dutch navy, and who settled in New Amster-
dam (now New York) in 1644, and who was a member of the pioneer party who went
from Beaverwyck (now Albany) in 1662, for the purpose of founding what subsequent-
ly became the city of Schenectady. Dr. Veeder at the age of twenty-four married Mary
E., daughter of Peleg Wood of Schenectady, and they have four children, Albert F.,
Willard H., Sarah E., and Martha A. Veeder.
Vrooman, W. R., D.D.S., was born in Dixon, 111., December 5, 1858, where his father,
S. A. Vrooman, was engaged in the mercantile business. He is a direct descendant of
the old Knickerbocker stock, amongst whom were the several Vrooman brothers who
came from Holland to the United States and settled in the Mohawk Vailer about 1760.
At an early age he removed to Canada where he was educated at St. Catharine's
h
10 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Collegiate Institute and Toronto University; and, graduating from Toronto Normal
School, taught for a number of years in Ontario successfully, also a graduate of the
Dental Department of Toronto University, member of the Royal College of Dental
Surgeons and honor graduate of the Pennsylvania College Dental Surgery, receiving
the honors of his class of 300 members. In 188She carne to Clyde and established him-
self in his profession in which he is actively engaged. At the age of thirty-two he
married Jessie B., daughter of the late Hon. J. S. L'Amoreaux, of Clyde. They are the
parents of one daughter, Marjorie Roselle. Thoroughly scientific in his attainments, he
employs nothing but the latest and most scientific methods in his profession. A close
student and lover of science, he is now pursuing a course of medical studies in Jefferson
Medical College, Philadelphia, from which institution he expects to graduate at an early
date. He is prominently identified with the Masonic order, being a member of Clyde
Lodge, F. & A. M., Gnswold Chapter, R. A. M., and Zenobia Commandery Knights
Templar of Palmyra, N. Y.
Yan Etten, J. W., was born in Lyons, March 11, 1833. His father, Cornelius W.,
was a native of Sussex, N. J., and removed to the town of Wolcott in 1835. He died
in the prime of manhood at the age of thirty-five. His wife Esther, daughter of Jacob
Westbrook, of Sussex county, N. J., and four children were left : Margaret, Henry,
John W., and Mary J., of whom John W. is the sole survivor. He was educated in the
common schools, the Lyons Union School, and took business course at the Brvant &
Stratton College at Buffalo, graduating in 1856, after which he read law with William
Clark of Lyons, and was admitted to the bar in 1862, and subsequently admitted to the
United States District Court as attorney and counsellor thereof. At the age of thirty-
seven he married Sarah, daughter of George S. Zeilley, of Fort Plain. Subject is and
always has been a Republican, and was appointed postmaster at Lyons, N. Y., in
August, 1869, holding the office to February, 1879, also takes an active interest in edu-
cational and religious matters. He is identified in advancing the best interests of his
town, and is of conservative character and recognized worth.
Yanalstine, H. O. is the son of John J., who was a very prominent man in this
vicinity, holding for a period of thirty- five years the position of justice of the peace.
He died in 1891, leaving a family of seven children, of whom only Henry and Jesse are
now in Wayne county. Henry was well known as a builHerfor twenty-five years, and
more recently as the proprietor of the Red Creek Hotel, purchased and converted from
the Hotel Wood in 1883. Mrs. Yanalstine was before her marriage Cordelia Bogert,
a daughter of Samuel Mason, of Manchester, Ontario county, N. Y., and has one
daughter, Mary C. Bogert, now the wife of George Cairns, of Colorado Springs.
Cordelia Bogert was widowed May 19, 1874, and five years later became the wife of
Henry Vanalstine. Their hotel is headquarters for traveling men in Red Creek, and is
justly renowned for the excellence of its cuisine, which is under the personal super-
vision of Mrs. Yanalstine.
Van Der Yeer, H. E. — The subject of this sketch is of Holland descent and traces the
genealogy of his family for seven generations to Cornelius Jans Van Der Veer, who
emigrated in the ship Otter in the spring of 1659 from the province of Alkmeer, Hol-
land, and settled in Flatbush, Kings county, N. Y., and was the ancestor of the Van
Der Veer family of New Jersey and Long Island. The grandfather of our subject was
Garrett Van Der Veer, a native of New Jersey, born in 1765, who married Rachael
Covenhoven, a native of Monmouth county, N. J., on whose father's farm the battle of
Monmouth, of Revolutionary fame, was fought, when she, with others of the family,
offered their help by furnishing water, and other offers of kindness during the battle
and after it was over. Garrett Van Der Veer, the father, was born in Montgomery
county, May 9, 1813. married Mary Allen, who was born June 4, 1814, removed to
Wayne county in 1847, and settled ai Marion. She died December 1, 1890. Mr. Van
Der Veer has devoted much of his time in later years to the manufacture of machines of
FAMILV SKETCHES. 11
his own invention, for packing evaporated apples. He also kept a temperance hotel at
Marion for several years. Henry E. Van Der Veer, the only child, was born in .Mont -
gomery county, April 27, 1843, was reared in the village of Marion, where he received
his education at the Marion Collegiate Institute. At an early age he commenced busi-
ness as clerk for F. & J. B. Reeves, which he followed in that place and Palmyra. He
was also clerk daring the war in the commissary department at Fort Gibson, Indian
Territory, and also traded and acted as clerk for Indian traders in Southern Kansas and
Indian Territory. In 1866 he returned to Marion and engaged in the drug business for
himself. In 1873 he removed to Ontario, where he has since conducted a successful
business. He is a Democrat, and was appointed postmaster in 1803. He is a member
of Wayne Lodge No. 416, F. & A. M., also of Cyrene Tent No. 203, K. 0. T. M., in both
of which he holds positions of honor. February 22, 1870, he married Annette L.,
daughter of Jonathan and Clarissa (Jennings) Pratt, who were among the first settlers
of the town of Williamson. Mr. Pratt settled in the northwest corner of the town of
Williamson in 1811, where he became one of the largest land owners in the town. They
reared a large family, and the oldest son, Aaron W., was the second male white child
born in Williamson. In 1841 he sailed on a whaling ship under Captain Roise, and was
on board the ship that first discovered the northwest whaling grounds. Another son.
William W., was a whaler and merchant man for forty years. Of a large family that
grew to maturity, none remained on the land for which their ancestors endured the
vicissitudes of pioneer life.
Willoughby, S. E., was born in the city of St. Albans, near London, England, April
18, 1826, came to Clyde from London in 1848, and having learned the painter's trade,
established the same business in Clyde, the firm in London keeping the position open
for him if he should determine to return to England. For forty years the house has
been the leading decorators in Wayne county, and is now carrying a large and fine stock
of wall paper and house furnishing goods. At the age of twenty -four, subject married
Mapelet, daughter of Jeremiah Finck. He is one of the oldest merchants in the town,
taking an active interest in educational and religious matters.
Wells, Hon. E. B., was born in Prattsburg, Steuben county, April 22, 1834. His
fathe, Ira Wells, was a manufacturer of fanning mills, and was one of the best known
residents of Steuben and Wayne counties. He married Miss Pamelia Taylor, daughter
of Elijah Taylor, and they were the parents of seven children, who lived to mature age.
Mr. Ira Wells died in 1882 at the age of eighty-seven. E. B. Wells, after leaving
school, learned the marble cutter's trade, and in 1855 went into business in Cherry
Valley, N. T. He afterward sold out his business there, went to Fort Plain, N. Y.,
and in 1860 came to Clyde and established his present business as dealer in granite and
marble cemetery work. He handles both imported and domestic stock and has
acquired a well- deserved repuatation for fine work. At the age of thirty-two he mar-
ried Miss Alice C. Gregory, daughter of Aaron Gregory, formerly of Mexico, Oswego
county, N. Y. Mr. Wells has been very prominent in public affairs, having been post-
master for two terms, supervisor for three years, and member of assembly two terms,
1872-1873.
Williams, Samuel, is a citizen of more than ordinary ability and prominence. He .
was born July 10, 1833, at Copake, Columbia county, and his parents were Thomas
and Polly Williams, both deceased. He lived at his birthplace until twenty- three
years of years of age, received a good common school education, and after engaging in
the grocery business at South Butler for several years, located in 1861 on a farm of 200
acres, five miles northwest of Savannah, and upon which he has erected an elegant
residence. February 23, 1859, he married Henrietta, daughter of John and Polly Gor-
ham, of South Butler, N. Y., and they had these children : Anna, born December 12,
1859, and wife of Millard Miller of South Butler; John G., born February 20, 1862,
12 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
now operating the homestead farm. He married, August 20, 1893, Minnie Shoecraft
of Butler ; George R., born August 19, 1864, now engaged in hardware business at
Butler; Mary E., born April 16, 1867; and Hattie, born February 6, 1874, died June
19, 1884.
Whitman, Irving A., was born in Lyons July 20, 1865. His father, William, also of
Lyons, with H. S. Moor, now deceased, established a drug business in 1863, and was
one of the prominent business men of his town. Irvin A. was educated in the Lyons
Union School. Taking up the study of stenography and typewriting, he served under
Hon. George W. Cowles when surrogate, and afterwards entered the law office of
Camp & Dunwell, and was private secretary to Hon. J. H. Camp for four years. While
there he made the study of pension and war claims a specialty, and the first claim prose-
cuted was granted by the Bureau of Pensions, and which commenced payment July
20, 1865, the day, month and vear of his birth. He has achieved a success that is recog-
nized throughout the United States, practicing in the bureau of pensions, the patent
department and the treasury department. He also has been notary public for the past
six years. In 1884 he invented an automatic freight car coupling device, which was
patented July 21, 1885, and was submitted to a severe test by the Master Car Builders
Association in September, 1885, at Buffalo, which was successful in meeting all re-
quirements. In June, 1886, it was tested before the railroad commissioners at Albany
and was again successful. At the age of twenty-three he married Mary Ellen, daugh-
ter of Garrett Flavahan, of Lyons, and they have three sons ; Stewart C, Irvin Y.,
and Burnard C.
Wood, Charles, was born in Butler, June 25, 1838. His father, Horatio N. Wood, a
native of Oran<re county, came to Wayne county in 1821 and died in 1861, aged fifty -
eight years. He was a prominent farmer in his town, which he represented several
years on the Board of Supervisors. Charles was educated in the common schools, and
finished at Red Creek Academy and Falley Seminary at Fulton, N. Y., afterwards
coming to Savannah, where he established his present business of lumber, coal and
grain, potatoes, apples, etc., of which he handles large quantities. He is a Democrat,
and was elected supervisor from 1872 to 1875. At the age of twenty-eight he married
Louise C. Bell, daughter of Charles Bell, of Jordan, Onondaga county, by whom he has
three children : Charles II., of Syracuse; Helen Mabel, a graduate of Syracuse Uni-
versity, and at present a teacher in Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, Pa.; and Marielle
Ruth, a student at the same institution.
Whitlock, Levi J., was born in Lyons December 3, 1855. His father, Benjamin, was
also a native of Lyons. The family came from Orange county in 1814, and bought the
Peter Yan Etten property. Benjamin married at the age of twenty-one, Jane, daugh-
ter of Philip Swartwout of Orange county. Levi J. was educated at the Lyons Union
School, after which he returned to his father's farm. At the age of twenty he married
Grace, daughter of Cornelius Cuddeback, of Phelps, and they are the parents of four
children, Cornelius A., Neva C, Hope and Grace. Our subject is now occupying the
old Whitlock homestead, which has been in the family eighty years, raising hay, grain
and stock and making a specialty of pure Jersey butter, and was one of the first to
introduce the custom of dehorning cattle (in Wayne county). The subject is an active
energetic man, identified in advancing the best interests of the town.
Willits, E. D., born in Ontario, August 11, 1843, is a son of Jonathan and Hannah
(Knowles) Willits, he is a native of Farmington, Ontario county, and she of Albany
county, N. Y. The grandparents came from New Jersey to New York and settled in
Ontario county, where the grandfather died. The grandmother then came and lived
with her son, Jonathan, in Ontario. Jonathan came to Ontario when a young man and
purchased a farm, part of which subject now owns. Mr. Willits resided on this farm
over fifty years. He was a Republican in politics, and in religion was a Friend. He
FAMILY SKETCHES. i:i
died 1880, and his wife, 1878, E. D. was reared on the farm and educated at the com-
mon and select schools. He has for twenty-six years followed teaching winters and
worked his farm summers. He is engaged in fruit growing, having a general variety of
fruits. His wife is Sarah (Allen) Willits, whom he married February 18, 1869. She
was a daughter of Freeman and Betsey Allen, of Ontario. In politics Mr. Willits is a
Republican, has been justice sixteen years, justice of sessions sixteen years, and is now
notary public. At present he is supervisor of Ontario. He is a member of the G. A.
R., M. M. Fish Post, No. 406. In religion Mr, Willits is a liberal Christian.
Woodhams, R. A., was a native of England, born December 11, 1835, and came with
his parents to America in 1850, and settled in Ontario, Wayne county, near Furnaceville.
When they came to America the family consisted of Mr. Walter Woodhams, his wife
Francis (Walters) Woodhams, and three sons and four daughters. They removed from
Furnaceville to the Ridge on the farm now owned by Mr. Howk, where they resided
till his death, December 27, 1878. His first wife died in June, 1873, and he married in
1875, Hannah Hutson, who now resides with our subject. He and wife were Wesleyan
Methodists, and a son, Roland, is a presiding elder of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and resides at Bay City, Mich. Walter Woodhams was a member of the 8th
New York Cavalry, and was killed near Harper's Ferry in 1864. Subject commenced
as a farm hand when about fifteen years of age, and has been very successful. He
now owns three hundred acres in Ontario, where he lives retired. He married in 1862
Dorcas C. Sabin, born April 13, 1837. She is a daughter of H. M. Sabin, a native of
Connecticut, who came with his parents Samuel and Elizabeth (Gleason) Sabin, settled
in Macedon and then in Ontario, where he died December 19, 1832, and his wife in
1846. Mr. and Mrs. Woodhams have no children, but reared an adopted son and
daughter, George and Lizzie, who is the wife of C. E. Pound. Mr. Woodhams in
early life was engaged in teaching. Her mother was Mary Ann, daughter of Isaac
Hodges, one of the pioneers of Ontario. In politics Mr. Woodhams is a Republican,
and is a member of the South Shore Grange, No. 513.
Winspear, Charles W., was born in Elma. Erie county, July 6, 1856, was educated in
the public schools and reared on a farm. January 1, 1877, he was appointed clerk in
the Erie County Alms House and Insane Asylum, and at the expiration of a year was
promoted to the position of deputy keeper, which office he held sixteen years, during
ten of which he was a special agent for the State Board of Charities. In 1893 he re-
signed these positions to accept the superintendency of the New York State Custodial
Asylum for Feeble Minded Women, at Newark. In politics he is a Democrat, and is
a member of Washington Lodge, No. 240, of Buffalo, F. and A. M., and is also a mem-
ber of the Acacia Club (Masonic), and the Audubon Shooting Club, of Buffalo. His
wife, Gertrude E , is a native of Lancaster, Erie county, where she had a large expe-
rience in teaching. She has the distinction of having passed with the highest percent-
age over all contestants in the examination in the higher grammar grades in the public
schools of Buffalo.
Weed, Luther, born in Galen, on the homestead, in 1835, son of Selleck Weed, a na-
tive of Connecticut, whose father was Abram, a lumber manufacturer in Washington
county, who was accidentally killed in his mill by a cake of ice falling on him. Selleck
came to Galena in 1812, and married Temperance Owens. Their children were : Lu-
cinda, Selleck, Lydia, Ann, Rhoda, Harry, Benjamin, Lewis and Luther. In 1853 our
subject purchased a farm in Oneida county, and two years later returned to Galen,
where he conducted the homestead farm until 1865, when he came to Huron, where he
has since resided. In 1853 he married Catharine, daughter of John and Catharine Wit-
beck, born in Columbia county, in 1835. Their children are : Charles R,, Ella (de-
ceased), Stella, wife of Mortimer Cox, of Wolcott; and Cora, wife of Charles H. Wood-
ruff, of Huron. Mr. and Mrs. Weed have two grandchildren, Bertha E. Weed and
Harry (Weed) Woodruff. Subject is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and has
14 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
served as commissioner of highways, and he and wife are members of the Huron
Grange, which was organized in their house in 1873.
Wheeler, Justus J., was born upon the site of his present home, October 24, 1834.
He is one of a family of five children, of whom only himself and one sister now sur-
vive. His mother, Clara, died in 1857. and his father, Willaid, two yeais later. Justus,
until about forty years of age, was a carpenter and joiner, but has for twenty-one
years devoted himself to the culture of the old homestead purchased in 1872. July 11,
1864, he married Alice, daughter of Elisha and Icy Woodruff, of Frankfort, Herkimer
county, N. Y. Alice was born March 4, 1848. They have two children, Jennie, born
September 21, 1865, and Claude J., born May 30, 1872. Jennie was engaged for sev-
eral years in teaching school, until July 2, 1893, when she married Andy W. Whitbeck,
of Savannah, N. Y. Claude, also a school teacher, is now at home engaged in farming
and the evaporation of fruits. Having developed considerable mechanical genius, in
1893, he secured a patent upon a fruit bleacher of his own invention and construction,
which has proved to be of peculiar merit.
Wadsworth, Philip, whose birthplace is still his domicile, is the son of Danford and
Eliza A. Wadsworth, who took up residence in Butler, in those days when "Amid the
forest solitude his echoing axe the settler swings," and none bore a stouter heart than
the young pioneer from Vermont, hewing out a home from the provincial wilderness.
Danford Wadsworth died June 19, 1861, when but fifty-one years of age, and Philip
is his only son. November 4, 1863, Philip married Mary T. Rice, of Butler, and their
children are : Velona J., the wife of Lincoln Doty ; Henry D. Harvey R., Lemuel G.,
and one daughter, Sarah M., who October 19, 1887, aged twenty-two years.
Willard, William G., was born in Ontario, December 23, 1855, the eldest son of nine
children of George and Adelaide (Gibbs) Willard. George Willard, son of William and
Sarah Willard, was born in the parish of Salehurst, Sussex county, England, Septem-
ber 4, 1829, and emigrated to the United States of America March 13, 1849. Adelaide
Gibbs, daughter of Joseph and Amy Gibbs, born in Whichford , Warwickshire, England,
July 6, 1831, and emigrated to the United States of America April 3. 1850. In 1852
they were untited in marriage and came to Ontario, and in 1856 settled on the farm
where Mrs. Willard now resides. George Willard died December 16, 1890, The chil-
dren of Mr. Willard and wife were as follows: Harriet A., born October 13, 1853 ; Wil-
liam G., born December 23. 1855 ; Frank E., born September 26, 1857; Avise M., born
August 28, 1860; Lorenzo P., born November 26, 1862; Annie E., born May 31, 1867;
Peter J., born May 21, 1869; May S., born June 11, 1871; Carrie A., born December
17, 1876. Harriet died September 21, 1854. They are all married except Carrie and
May S. Our subject was educated in Chili Seminary. He followed farming until
1883 when he came to Lakeside and engaged in the mercantile business, where he has
been very successful. He carries a full line of boots and shoes, hardware, crockery,
paints, oils, dye stuffs, glass, drugs, medicines and fane)' goods, also hats and caps. He
married, March 29, 1883, Emma A. Ray, a native of Canada, and daughter of John and
Mary (Fowler) Ray. He and family attend and support the M. E. Church of Lakeside.
Williams, Henry, a native of Manchester, Ontario county, N. Y., born December 25,
1830, was the youngest of two sons of John Williams and Nancy Williams, he a native
of New Jersey, and she of New Jersey. Henry learned the blacksmith trade when a
young man, but farming has been his chief occupation. He married Jane, daughter of
James and Honor Barker, he a native of England, and she of England. Mr. Barker
came to America in 1829. He bought the farm now owned by the Williams family,
when it was a wilderness, and cleared it and made many improvements. Mr. and Mrs.
Williams have had four sons and four daughters, of whom one son and two daughters
are deceased: Honor, wife of Rufns Schemmerhorn, of Ontario; Cora, wife of James
V.Allen, Rochester; Roy, at home; B. II., and Wallace, are now carrying on the
FAMILY SKETCHES. 15
farm, engaged in general farming and fruit raising, also evaporating fruit. Wallace
married, January 18, 1888, Eliza Bean, daughter of Albert and Emma Jane (Hurley)
Bean, of Ontario, and they have one daughter, Susie, born March 30, 1893. Mr. Will-
iams commenced farming in Ontario about 1858 on the Barker farm, then bought a
small place, where he lived seventeen years. On the death of Mr. Barker he bought
the farm where he resided until his death, December 20, 1890. Mrs. Williams still "re-
sides on the homestead, aged fifty-nine years. Her father, James Barker, died 1864,
and her mother 1876. The family are of very strong temperance sentiments, and in
religion are Methodists.
Wilder, F. S., was born in Russell., St. Lawrence county, N. Y., June 19, 1850, the
son of Brutus and Lucy Townsend Wilder, he born in Orwell, Oswego county, October
13, 1828, and she in Philadelphia. Mr. Wilder came to Philadelphia in 1844, and
engaged as clerk in a drug store until 1849, when he came to Russell and began farm-
ing. He came to Williamson in 1865, and engaged in farming, and now owns a small
farm. He was assessor in Russell for five years. Our subject was reared on a farm,
and educated in Marion Academy. He learned the tinsmith trade, and bought out a
tin shop in Marion, then went to Newark, and was in partnership there with his
brother, John P., in the hardware business. In 1879 Mr. Wilder came to Williamson
and engaged in the hardware business, and has been very successful. Mr. Wilder has
been town clerk since 1887. He is a member of the Pultneyville Lodge, No. 159, F. &
A. M., the K. O. T. M., and the Protective Life Association of Rochester. In 1879 he
married Eliza Howell, a native of Marion, and daughter of Israel Howell, and they
have had two children, Lula M., Elmer B.
Waldurff, Peter, was born in Taghkanick, Columbia county, N. Y., February 5, 1810.
His father, John Waldurff, was one of the first settlers in Rhinebeck, Dutchess county,
and the family was of German extraction. Peter Waldurff was educated in the com-
mon schools, and at the age of twenty-five he married Hannah, daughter of Andrew
Nichols, and of this union ten children were born, eight of whom are now living, five
sons, Martin V. B., who owns a farm adjoining his father's, Reuben, who owns a farm
in Wolcott, Stanton E., who owns a farm in Rose, Eugene C, who is a physician of
Buffalo, N. Y., and Frank L., who lives on the homestead farm, and three daughters,
Hannah, who married Harrison Malley, of Homer, N. Y., Nettie, who married Rev.
R. E. Burton, of Syracuse, N. Y., and Helen, who married John M. Mackie, of Galen,
N. Y. In 1848 he bought the William Garlic property of 144 acres, and in 1855 he
bought the adjoining farm, known as the " Riverdale farm." He has 217 acres of some
of the best farm lands in Wayne county, raising fruit, hay, grain and stock. In 1883
his wife died, since which time he has been living with his youngest son, Frank L.
Weed, Hon. Oscar, was born in Galen in 1822, a son of Henry, a native of Washing-
ton county, born in 1797, who was the son of Abram Weed a native of Canaan, Conn.,
and an early settler in Washington county, where he engaged in the lumber business.
He was killed in his saw- mill by a cake of ice falling on him. His wife was Sarah Sel-
leck, and their children were: Selleck, Abram, Henry, Hester, Sallie, Hannah, Betsey,
and Nancy. Henry, father of our subject, moved to Wayne county in 1813, with his
mother ar_d sisters. His older brother, Selleck, had moved to Wayne county the
previous year. He was a Republican and served as assessor and commissioner. He
married Mahala King, of Galen, and their children were : Samuel, who was a prominent
physician in Clyde, Oscar. Abram, William, and Sarah Ann, wife of Oliver Stratton. of
Galen. Mr. Weed died in 1862, and his wife in 1881. Our subject was educated at
Clyde High School, and remained on the farm, teaching school winters for about nine
years. In 1848 he married Rebecca, daughter of Joseph O, and Ruth Watson, of
Galen, and they had these children: Watson, Oscar D., Mary E. a teacher in Drew
Ladies' Seminary, Carmel, N. Y., Garhardus and Ruth (both deceased). Mr. Weed
moved in 1850 to Huron, and purchased the farm of 300 acres, where he has since re-
16 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
aided, engaged in farming and fruitgrowing. In the latter he enjoys the reputation of
being the most extensive and successful in the town, the proceeds for the year 1893
being about $6,500. He has served as assessor and supervisor several terms, and in
1881-82 was elected by the Republicans to the Assembly, has also been delegate to
many county and State conventions. His living children are all graduates of Cornell
University. Mr. and Mrs. Weed are members of the Clyde Grange. His son, Wat-
son, is a Unitarian minister in Scituate, Mass. Addison is in New Hartford, engaged
in gardening, fruit growing and civil engineering. Oscar D., practicing law in New
York city.
Wood, Anson Sprague, was born in Camillus, Onondaga countv, October 2, 1834.
His father, Alvin, was of English ancestry, and his mother, Fanny Woodworth, of New
England descent. Early in the forties Alvin Wood removed with his family to Butler,
Wayne county, where he continued to reside until his death in 1874. Anson S. was
the youngest of a large family of children, three others of whom are still living and resi-
dents of Wayne county : Mary, wife of William Fowler; Frances, wife of Christopher
C. Cay wood, of Butler ; and Benham S. Wood, of Wolcott. Anson S. Wood was edu-
cated in the district schools, and also attended the Red Creek Union Seminary. In 1853
he began the study of law in Syracuse, which he continued later in Clyde in the office
of C. D. Lawton, and afterwards of Judge L. S. Ketchum. In the winter of 1854 he
engaged in teaching. In the fall of 1855 he attended the Albany Law School, and was
admitted to the bar in December of that year. During the early part of 1856 he re-
sided at South Butler, and was elected town superintendent of common schools. In
July, 1856, he removed to Lyons, where he formed a copartnership with Hon. William
Clark. He continued to practice law in company with Mr. Clark and Hon. Dewitt
Parshall until September, 1862, in the meantime (1858-1859) serving two years as town
clerk of the town of Lyons In the fall of 1862 he responded to the call for volunteers
to defend the Union, and was commissioned as first lieutenant in the 138th N. Y. Vol-
unteer Infantry, afterwards known as the 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. After the regi-
ment reached Washington Lieutenant Wood was assigned to duty as adjutant. In June,
1863, he was promoted to a captaincy and detailed to duty at the draft rendezvous at
Elmira, N. Y., and was for some time assistant adjutant- general at that post. In May,
1864, at his own request, he was returned to his regiment and to the command of his
company. He was engaged in the battles of Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Monocacy, Win-
chester, and Fisher's Hill. In October, 1864, he was placed on the staff of General J.
B. Ricketts, who commanded the third division of the famous Sixth Corps. General
Ricketts was severely wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, and was succeeded in com-
mand by Gen. Truman Seymour, with whom Captain Wood continued as judge advo-
cate of the division. In February, 1865, he was promoted to major of his regiment, and
as such participated in the taking of Petersburg and the capture of Lee's army. For
meritorious service before Petersburg he was brevetted lieutenant colonel. The regi-
ment was mustered out in May. 1865, when Colonel Wcod returned to Wayne county,
purchasing a farm in Butler. In 1866 he was elected supervisor of that town. In 1867
he became assistant assessor of the United States Internal Revenue, a position which
he resigned in the fall of 1869 to accept the Republican nomination for member of as-
sembly from the first district of Wayne county. In the meantime he had removed to
Wolcott and resumed the practice of law. Colonel Wood was elected to the Assembly
that fall, and reelected the following year. Janu: ry 1, 1872, he was appointed deputy
secretary of state under G. Hilton Scribner, holding the oflice two years, when he again
returned to his home at Wolcott and his law practice. In 1879 Gen. Joseph B. Can-
was elected secretary of state, and he called Colonel Wood back to Albany to his former
desk as deputy secretary, where he continued six years. In 1883 he was one of the
secretaries of the Republican State Committee. In 1885 Colonel Word was the unan-
imous nominee of the Republican State Convention for secretary of state, but was de-
feated with the rest of the Republican ticket. lie remained in Albany for over a year
FAMILY SKETCHES. 17
engaged in the practice of law, when he again returned to Wayne county, taking up his
residence at Wood's Island, Port Bay, in the town of Huron, and resuming his law prac-
tice at Wolcott, which he has continued since. At present he is associated with Hon.
George S. Horton. Colonel Wood, in addition to the other public positions, has filled
the office of president of the village of Wolcott, trustee of the Wolcott Union Free
School, justice of the peace, and supervisor of the town of Huro: . He was the moving
spirit in the organization of William Button Post No 55, G-. A. R., at Wolcott (subse-
quently changed to Keesler Post No. 55), of which he has been commander several
terms. He has also served as assistant quartermaster-general of the G. A. R., depart-
ment of New York, and has been a member for many years of Wolcott Lodge No. 560,
F. & A. M. Colonel Wood has been repeatedly a delegate to Republican State Conven-
tions, and his services as a speaker have long been in great demand in political cam-
paigns. He has spoken in every county in this State, and has been called upon by the
National and State Committees to make speaking tours of Maine, Massachusetts, Ver-
mont, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. In 1858 Colonel Wood
married Martha Louise Vickey, of Youngstown, Niagara county. Mr. and Mrs. Wood
have two children living, William Clark Wood, M.B., and Robert Alvin. Br. Wood is
a graduate of the Albany Medical College (1880), and is a successful practitioner at
Gloversville, N. Y. Robert A. is a graduate of Union College (1881), a lawyer and
newspaper contributor, and resides at Albany.
Wall, William, was born in Webster, September 2, 1824. He was the oldest of four
children of Elisha M. and Lois (Savage) Wall, he a native of Vermont, born in 1800.
He settled in Webster and afterward came to Ontario in 1840, where he died in 1891.
Subject came to Ontario when a mere boy. He married in 1854 Hannah A. Wray, a
native of Ontario and daughter of George Wray. The latter was born in Fort Ann,
Washington county, January 8, 1792, and married Almira Brown of Granville, Wash-
ington county, April 11, 1821, by Rev. Andrews. He was a blacksmith by trade. He
came to Wayne county in 1827, and bought the place known then as the Shingled
House (shingles being used instead of clapboards). He built the first blacksmith shop
in town, and two years after bought thirty-six acres two miles east of that, cleared a
spot of ground and built another shop and moved into that. The same year (1829) he
built a frame house, in which he lived until his death. His wife died in June, 1872.
and he in October, 1872. They had three children, Almira Jane, Hannah Ann, and
George Leonard. Mr. Wall and wife have had two children, Ida, wife of William
Eddy, and has three children, Raymond, Leland and Vera ; Emma C, wife of William
Patten, who has one child, Ruby. Her first husband was Irvin Cudderback, by whom
she had one child, Myrta G. Mr. and Mrs. Wall moved to Michigan in 1856, and re-
turned to the Wray homestead in 1866, where they still remain. William R. Patten
was born in Ontario on the farm his father settled, in 1850. He is the youngest of
nine children of John and Eliza (Bancroft) Patten, he a native of New Jersey, born in
1799, and she of Walworth, born in 1810. They came to Ontario in 1830, where he
died in 1865, and his wife in 1889. Mr. Patten was a shoemaker and tanner by trade,
but after coming to Ontario followed farming. He owned 100 acres, which he cleared.
Subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and Macedon
Academy. He has always been a farmer, has fifty acres of land, and follows general
farming and fruit raising. He married in 1890 Emma Wall, a native of Michigan. She
is a daughter of William Wall. Mr. Patten and wife have had one daughter, Ruby E.,
born Becember 15, 1893.
Waters, George F., was born in Williamson August 30, 1849. His parents were
Zeniri and Alice (Brewer) Waters. The family consisted of two sons and three daugh-
ters, who grew to maturity, the daughters being now deceased. W. H. Waters, brother
of the subject, is in the town of Miller, South Bakota, in the banking business. Z.
Waters was reared on the farm and always followed farming. He was an anti-slavery
18 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
advocate, and died September 4, 1870. The grandparents of our subject were William
Waters, born in England in September, 1779, and Mary (Sampson) Waters, born in
June, 1783. They had three sons and five daughters, all deceased but two daughters,
who are in Michigan. William Waters emigrated to America and settled in William-
son, being one of the pioneers of that town. He engaged somewhat in land speculat-
ing, buying and selling several farms, but his principal occupation was farming. Mrs.
Waters died January 14, 1856, and he died March 18, 1864. George Waters was edu-
cated at Pultneyville under Prof. Clark. His first business enterprise was as pay-
master's clerk in the United States navy, but his principal occupation has been farm-
ing. He has 130 acres of land and makes a specialty of dairying, having special city
customers for his dairy products. He also has fine fruit orchards. He married, Janu-
ary 10, 1883, Helen May, daughter of Evelin and Mary (Palister) Cornwall, of Will-
iamson. They have one daughter, Alice E., born June 8, 1884. Mr. Waters has been
eleven years deputy collector of customs.
Warner, R. K., was born in Cortland county July 19, 1825, son of Ira and Asenath
Warner, natives of Massachusetts and early settlers of Cortland county, where they
lived and died. Subject was educated in the common schools, followed farming in
Cortland county until 1858, when he came to Palmyra and in 1865 to Marion, and con-
tinued farming until 1884, since which time he has lived in Marion. He married in
1848 Ramonia Vail, a native of Cortland county, born October 25, 1829. daughter of
Henry Vail, a native of Dutchess county, who died in Madison county, N. Y. Subject
and wife had five children : Erotus, who married Ella Wake, and has three children,
Melvin E., F. May, Oscar Z., Lewis W., who married Amelia E. Allen, daughter of
Abram and Emma Allen, natives of England, who came to Richfield Springs in 1844,
and there Mrs. Allen died and Mr. Allen now resides. Lewis and wife have had three
children: Lillian, died aged two years; Jessie and Carl; Mary E., wife of George El-
bridge, of Homer, Cortland county, N. Y., and has one child, Marion Ramonia; Horace
A., who married Minnie Potter, died January 25, 1891, and had two children, Ross and
Myrtle.
Wood, Noah, was born April 23, 1832, the son of Horatio Wood, a farmer of Butler
who was also a man of local prominence, being a justice for twenty years, and who
died in 1860. His wife, Angeline, the mother of seven children, died in 1886. Noah's
education was received at Lima, N. Y., and the M. G. B. Institute at Concord, N. H.
He graduated in 1860. His principal occupation has been farming. September 10,
1861, he married Addie B., daughter of John Hall, of Cicero, N. Y., and both are
prominent in the M. E. church of Wolcott. Mr. Wood is a man of much character and
has filled many positions of trust and responsibility, such as president of the village,
trustee of the Leavenworth Institute, and justice of the peace, holding the latter posi-
tion twelve years.
Wood, Major William, was born near his present home August 1, 1830, son of
Horatio N. Wood. He is a graduate of Union College, of Albany Law School, was
admitted to the bar in 1857, and practiced that profession two years with Hon. J. B.
Decker. As captain of Company G of the 9th Heavy Artillery he achieved distinction
on many a bloody field, promotion to the rank of major and for personnl bravery be-
fore Petersburg, was breveted lieutenant colonel by President Johnson. A bullet
wound in the face, received at Sailor Creek, necessitated his retirement from the
service for some months, after which he was commissioned lieutenant colonel, and his
battalion detailed for the protection of the city of Washington. Equally distinguished
as a statesman in the county and State Legislature, having been a member of assembly
in 1886, Major Wood finds in the retirement of his country home and the management
of his farming and business interests, congenial occupation. In 1866 he married Mary
Green, of Mt. Morris, N. Y., and their children are: George C, Horatio N. Angeline,
Julia D., and Walter W.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 19
White, Charles S., was born in Eensselaer count}^ September 5, 1833, educated in the
district schools, and finished at private boarding school. He followed farming until
1862. September 9, 1856, he married Frances S. Tifft, by whom he has one son, Fred.
C. Mr. White came to this town in 1S74, having been in the mercantile trade at nis
old home for twelve years, and this business he has successfully followed since 1875, in
this town. Fred. C. was educated in the common schools, with a year in Troy, and in
the Union School and Academy. In 1880 he became a partner in the business, under
the firm name of C. S. White & Son. He married Minnie M. Horton, of East
Newark, and they have a son, Elmer F. H. Mr. White's father, Jacob White, was
born in Medway, Mass., in 1788, and was a manufacturer. In 1814 he married Prisa
Lewis, of Walpole, Mass., and they had eleven children : Lewis, Sally, Prisa, Miranda,
Philip, Jacob, David. William, Charles S., Martha, and Mary J. He came with his
family to this State in 18 16, where he died in 1870 and his wife in 1888, at the age of
ninety-four. Mrs. White's father, Sprague Tifft, was born in New York State in 1800,
and married first a Miss Culver, by whom he had one daughter, Lydia M. He married
second Sophia B. Watson, and had twelve children : George W., James E., W. Dewitt,
Frances S., H. Cordelia, Melinda V., Amelia C, I. Nelson, Watson, Lucerne, Emerson,
and Martha A Both parents are now living. Our subject is a member of Newark
Lodge No. 82, F. and A. M.
Yo'mgs, L. S., was born in Coxsackie, Greene county, May 4, 1832. His father,
William, came to Wayne county in 1840, settled on the John Austin farm in the town
of Arcadia, and was a large fruit producer. He died on the old homestead in 1884 at
the age of seventy-six. L. S. Youngs was educated in the common schools, to which
he had added through life by reading and close observation. At the age of twenty-
three he married Emeline, daughter of Jacob Vanderbilt, who was called out to defend
Sodus Point in 1812, and they are the parents of two children, Mrs. Stella E. Bradley
and L. Armeda. In 1868 he bought part of the old Jacob Vanderbilt estate, which has
been in the family for ninety years. Our subject is one of the substantial men of his
town, taking an active interest in educational and religious matters.
Zeluff, Charles E.. was born in Wolcott September 16, 1841. His father, Benjamin,
was a native of Trenton, N. J., settled in Red Creek in 1838, and died in 1885, aged
seventy-three years. Charles E. was educated in the common schools, after which he
followed boating several years. In 1875 he established his present business, and is one
of the largest dealers in fresh and salt meats in Wayne county. At the age of twenty-
nine he married Mary E., daughter of Jonas Van Slyck, of Clyde, and they have one
son, Czar E. Our subject is identified in advancing the best interests of his town.
Young, Henry, was born near Menby on the Rhine, July 6, 1820. His father, Con-
rad, came to the United States in 1831 and settled in Wayne county. He died in
1861, aged seventy-five years. Henry Young was educated in Germany and the
United States, and at the age of twenty-two married Ann Eliza, daughter of John
Foist, by whom he has five children : George H., Darwin C, Charles F., Lydia A.
(Mrs. Rooke), and Mary E. Rodenbach. In 1842 he bought the homestead of sixty-
four acres, in 1850 bought the John Desmond property of sixty acres, and in 1855
bought the J. Longee property of fifty acres, their joint property being 210 acres.
They raise fruit, hay, grain and stock. Our subject is one of the largest farmers in his
town, taking an active interest in educational and religious matters, having been trustee
and class leader and superintendent of the Sunday-school and member of the M. E.
church for fifty-two years.
Smith, Ensign, was born March 10, 1830, Rensselaer county. His father, John D.
Smith, died here in 1887, his wife, Priscilla, having died in 1865. They left three
children, Ensign, Jesse (died in 1854) and Lydia (died in 1878). Ensign married Febru-
ary 20, 1861, Charlotte, daughter of Edwin and Lucy M. Powers of Galen, the former
20 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
of whom died in 1844 and the latter in 1879. The children of Ensign and Charlotte
Smith are: Jesse, bom January 17, 1862, was murdered January 15, 1887, at Chatta-
nooga, Tenn., by a fellow boarder, to whom he had loaned money, and upon demanding
it, was stabbed to death; John E., born January 7, 1864, now operating the homestead
farm; Jennie, born October 14, 1865, the wife of Charles Vanderpool of Savannah;
Luther and Lucy, born January 14, 1869. Luther married Bessie Marriott of Galen and
they live in Cleveland, Ohio. Lucy is the wife of Ethan Calkins of Lyons; Everett,
born April 13, 1871 ; Herbert S., born April 30, 1872, now in Cleveland, 0., and Lester
R., born March 14, 1877.
Anderson, E. B., a native of Palmyra, was born in 1852, was educated at the Palmyra
Union School, and went to Chicago in 1869. Here he remained three years in con-
nection with the chief grain inspector's office of the Board of Trade, and for seven
years was cashier in a wholesale house there. Returning to Palmyra in 1879, he married
in 1884, Elizabeth H., daughter of Willis T. Gaylord, of Sodus, N. Y., and they have
had two children : Gaylord W. and Edwin W. Mr. Anderson has served one year as
village president, and three years in the Board of Education, and has been connected
with the coal trade for fifteen years.
Albright, John H., was born in Ontario, March 26, 1845, the son Abraham Albright,
born in 1816, on the Atlantic Ocean while his parents were on their way from Holland
to America. Abraham was reared on the farm and was a farmer all his life. The subject
of our sketch was also brought up on the farm, and was educated at Sodus and Wal-
worth Academies. He worked for his father until of age when he purchased a farm of
seventy- five acres. He also has an interest in and charge of the homestead farm of 200
acres. He has a twenty four acre vineyard of Niagara grapes and raises other small
fruits. In 1874 he was married to Miss Joanna H. Johnson of Williamson, daughter of
the late James Johnson, and they have one son, J. Stanley, born Octobsr 24, 1878. Mr.
and Mrs. Albright are members of South Shore Grange, No. 552, and they attend the
Presbyterian church at Ontario Centre.
Austin, Orlando, was born in Williamson, April 3, 1826, a son of Pasqua and Mar-
garet (Davis) Austin, natives of Washington county. The grandfather of our subject
was Pasqua Austin, a native of Rhode Island born in 1765, who came to Williamson
about 1771, and died in 1834. The father of our subject came to Williamson in 1824,
and bought part of the farm now owned by Orlando, to which he added later, retiring
from active life at the age of sixty- five. He died in 1886 and his wife in 1876. Orlando
was reared on the farm and lived at home until the age of thirty. He then went to
Iowa and superintended railroad work for a time, and then went to Wisconsin for a
short time; thence to Chicago in 1856, where he invested in real estate. In 1858 he re-
turned to this town, and three years later engaged as traveling salesman for nursery
stock. Six years later he went west and engaged in the nursery business with Frank
Norris, of Brighton, selling out to him after one year, and going to Iowa, where he en-
gaged in the forest tree nursery business for four years. In 1876 he came to Williamson
and married (1877) Clarissa M. Barker of Pittsford. They resided in Pittsford five
years. He then engaged in the real estate business in Rochester two years, afterwards
traveling in the interest of a soda and baking powder house for a year. He then re-
turned to Williamson and bought the homestead, where he has since lived. The place
consists of 100 acres of fine land, on which he has made many improvements. He is
member of Pultneyville Lodge, No. 159, F. & A. M. Mr. and Mrs. Austin have one
daughter, Lula C.
Anderson, George, son of Peter and Pamelia Anderson, was born in Wayne county,
April 21, 1859. Beside himself, there were Jennie and Lillie, who both died in 1884;
John, now also resides in Savannah, and Kate, the wife of Charles Reade, jr.. of this
place. Peter Anderson came from Seneca into Wayne county when a young man, and
FAMILY SKETCHES. 21
cleared a farm four miles northwest of Savannah. At this time he is seventy- five years
of age, and lives a retired life at South Sodus. His wife, Pamelia, was a daughter of John
W. Haddon, and died September 15, 1884. The boyhood of our subject was spent in
Savannah, where he acquired an excellent education, and he married December 4,
1878, Lottie, daughter of Charles Eeed of Savannah. They have three children : Cora,
born September 15, 1880; Minnie, born May 9, 1882; Ross P., born February 22, 1887.
Mr. Anderson is a man of so retiring nature that only intimate friends recognize his real
worth and ability. He built in 1884 a very handsome modern residence.
Allen, Joseph, a native of Mansfield, Conn., born June 19, 1820, came with his pa-
rents to Oneida county the same year, and to Newark, Wayne county in 1839. Two
years later he removed to Palmyra, and entered the machine shop of Eldridge Williams.
In 1842 he began the manufacture of scales here, and in 1844 manufactured the Fair-
banks scales comprising all the different styles. In 1855 he commenced selling dry
goods and groceries, at the same time continuing the manufacture of scales and agri-
cultural implements, having a general store, and this he has followed for the past thirty
years. He has a large store, fifty-six feet front and 110 feet deep, comprising two and
a half stories.
Alborn, Edward F., was born in Waddington, Eng., January 22, 1846, the fifth child
of ten children born to Edward and Elizabeth (Green) Alborn, natives of England.
Edward came to Ontario in 1854, but soon moved to Walworth, and there the father
died in July, 1892. His wife survives him and resides in that town. Edward was nine
years of age when his parents came to Ontario. He was reared on a farm, educated in
the common schools, and has been a contractor and a miner of iron ore in Ontario for
ten years. At present he is a farmer, and owns 115 acres of land. In addition to farm-
ing he is interested in stock and fruit raising. Mr. Alborn is a Prohibitionist, and is a
member of of the Presbyterian church of Ontario Centre. On February 18, 1874 he
married Eliza Lolley, a native of Ontario, and daughter of Thomas and Sarah Lolley,
natives of England, he from Yorkshire and she from Kent. Seven children were born to
Mr. Alborn and wife : Edward T , Joseph A., Cora B., Charles W., Floyd A., Lewis P.,
and Clarence L. Indian relics have been plowed up on the farm Mr. Alborn now
owns.
Alden, Hiram, was born in Kenosha, Wis., January 25, 1847. His father was a
native of Wayne county, moved to Wisconsin and died there in 1847. Hiram was
educated in the common schools and finished at the Sodus Academy, after which he re-
turned to his grandfather, Ede Alden, At the age of thirty- two he married Mattie E.,
daughter of George W. Peterson of Sheboygan county, Wis., and they are the parents
of one son, E. Leroy and one daughter, Myrtie I. In 1875 he bought the Alvah Brun-
dage estate of seventy-six acres, raising hay, grain and stock and small fruits, taking an
intelligent interest in educational and religious matters.
Allen, Charles E., was bern in Ontario, May 1, 1861, the son of Jeremiah and Maria
Grant Allen, natives of Ontario. Jeremiah Allen was a farmer. He and his wife were
members of the M. E. church. He died in September, 1882. Our subject was reared on a
farm, and educated in the Rochester Union Schools. He has always been a farmer and
owns seventy-five acres of land. January 22, 1883, he married Ada Coyer of Oswego,
and they have two children, Bertha M. and Clifford F. Mrs. Allen is a daughter of
Benjamin and Eliza Coyer, who resided in Oswego many years, where both died when
Mrs. Allen was a child.
Allen, F. S., was born June 22, 1857, the son of Jeremiah and Maria Grant Allen,
mentioned in this work. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and educated
in the common schools, and he now owns twenty-five acres of land and raises small
fruits. He married Addie Cone, of Ontario, daughter of George B. Cone, who died in
1882. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have one son, Jay M., bora July 17, 1881.
22 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Allen, Henry C, was born in the town of Root, Montgomery county, February 8,
1837, and is the oldest of five children of Abram P. and Emeline (Yorhees) Allen. The
grandfather was Prince Allen, and the grandmother, Ruth (Pratt) Allen, were both born
in Washington county, N. Y., and in an early day settled in Montgomery county, where
they lived and died. The father of our subject came to Marion in 1856. where he
resided until his death, January 4, 1859, and his wife in October, 1868. Of the family
there are three sons and one daughter now living. Elisha P. was in the Rebellion, and
was wounded at Gettysburg, where he died from his wounds and was buried in the
national cemetery. Our subject was reared upon the farm and has always followed
farming and carpentry. He also buys and sells apples and is quite largely engaged in
fruit growing. He married, in 1862, Louisa M., daughter of J. H. Bilby. They have
one son, Elmer J. Allen, who resides with them and works the farm. His wife is
Carrie N. Pulver, of Marion, and they have one son, Wayne. Mr. Allen has been
supervisor of the town, and is a member of the A. 0. U. W. of Marion.
Austin, William C, born in Williamson, May 21, 1822, is the son of Nathan L. and
Dorcas (Congdon) Austin, natives of Washington county, who came to Williamson in
1819. He died February 19, 1872, and his wife June 7, 1879. The grandfather was
Pasqua Austin, born June 3, 1765, and died August 5, 1834. His wife was Penelope
Lee, born in 1777, and died November 22, 1830. Subject was educated in the common
schools and at the Marion Academy, and followed farming until twenty years of age,
when he engaged in speculating in stock, which he followed sixteen years. He then
engaged in the mercantile business in Marion, and built the store now occupied by Mr.
Peer. He was appointed postmaster, and held the office six years. He engaged in the
undertaking business and continued until April 1, 1894, when he sold to Scott B.
Curtis. He was deputy sheriff a short time, but resigned and was justice of peace for
four years. He married, in 1850, Armina Boyce, a native of Washington county, and
daughter of Peter and Eunice (Davis) Boyce, who came from Washington county to
Marion and went West, and Mr. Boyce died in Morley, Mo., and his wife in Chicago,
111. The maternal grandfather of subject was John Congdon, a native of Rhode Island
who came to Washington county in an early day, where he died.
Aikin, John B., represents one of the pioneer families of the locality. His parents,
John and Margaret (Young) Aiken, came into Butler county sixty years ago, and their
original domicile was a log house, a residence which, however, seemed conducive to
longevity, as they reached and adorned age. John B. acquired a good education during
the palmy days of the old academy at Red Creek, and upon the attainment of his major-
ity became a tiller of the soil. As commissioner of roads, and of excise, he has demon-
strated public office to be a personal trust. In 1864 he married Josephine Wadsworth,
of Butler, by whom he had two children, who died in infancy, and a son and daughter,
who remain : William J. and Nellie M.
Barker, David E., of Macedon, was born in Monroe county, May 23, 1853, a son of
William G., who was born in Canada June 24, 1809, and came to the United States at
an early age. He settled in Dutchess county and engaged in farming, which he followed
all his life. William G. married Caroline Cornell, daughter of William Cornell, and
they had eight children, four now living. She was of the family of Friends. David E.
was the youngest child. He was educated at the Macedon Academy, and married
Fannie Baker. He, like his father, has always followed agriculture. He married
second, Alice Green, of Michigan, November 1, 1883, by whom he has two children :
Adda and William. Mr. Barker is a Granger, and a Republican in politics.
Bradley, William, was born in Lyons, April 7, 1819. His father, Thomas, was a
native of Londonderry. Ireland, came to the United States and settled in Alloway
(a. small hamlet in South Lyons), and entered the employ of Captain H. Towar. In
1818 he married Miss Louanna Bradley, who came from Litchfield, Conn., and soon
FAMILY SKETCHES. 23
after bought what has been known since that time as the Bradley Farm on the old
Pre-emption road in South Lyons. William was educated in the common schools, to
which he has added through life by reading and close observation. At the age of thirty-
six he married Catherine J., daughter of William A. Teller, and they are the parents of
five children, three of whom, H. Seymour, Charles W., and Mrs. Rosie Horn, are now
living. Mrs. Maggie A. Ternouth died at Albany in 1884. Rev. David L. Bradley was
a very highly educated man, had served as pastor two years at Cape Vmcent, had com-
menced his third year when at twenty-eight years of age, he received a summons from
the master he served and loved so well, to lay down his burdens, to receive his reward.
Our subject is one of the prominent farmers in his town. In 1857 he bought the
William Ennis property of sixty-eight acres in South Lyons, to which he has added,
taking an active interest in educational and religious matters.
Blaker, Benjamin C, of Macedon Center, was born in Monroe county, July 24, 1830,
a son of Petrocles Blaker, a native of Pennsylvania, boin in 1800, who came to New
York State at an early day and settled in Henrietta, Monroe county, where he took up
farming. He never came to Wayne county to reside. He was a mason in early life,
but in his later years devoted his attention to farming. He married Matiah tarter, of
New Jersey, by whom he had these children : Mary J., Benjamin C, Thomas, Elizabeth,
Beulah, Martha, and Ruth A., the latter and Elizabeth being deceased. In 1858 our
subject married Mary Fritts, of Monroe county, and they have four children: Minnie,
who died, aged nineteen years; Clarence, who is married and resides on the homestead;
Nellie, a graduate of Macedon Academy ; and Dora, also a graduate of the Chautauqua
Literary and Scientific Circle.
Brown, Elisha, a native of New Jersey, was born in 1807, and at the age of seventeen
years came to Williamson, where he lived some time. He then bought a farm in
Marion, and resided there several years, and then located in Palmyra in 1846, and there
spent the remainder of his life, dying in December, 1893. His first wife was Cyntha
Hoag, by whom he had three children: Alfred, now of Illinois; William, who died
young ; and Frances, now Mrs. J. W. Guerney, of Palmyra. Mrs. Brown died, and he
married second. Mary, daughter of Stephen Durfee, by whom he had four children :
Garrison, now of Illinois; Emily, wife of William H. Nichols, of Iowa; Joseph S.,
who resides in Nebraska ; and Edwin D., who lives on part of the home farm. The
latter was born in 1858, and was educated in Palmyra, where he has always lived. In
1891 he married Alida L. Harrington, daughter of Hiram Harrington, a native of Wash-
ington county, and they have one child, Raymond H., born August 31, 1892. The mother
of our subject died in 1881. His father's farm consists of 162 acres, purchased of
Stephen Durfee, and of this Edwin D. owns fifty acres.
Bryant, Lewis J., was born in Newark, February 1, 1835, educated in the Union
school and academy, and his early life was spent on the homestead farm, and later in the
nursery business and market gardening on the farm, near the village. The homestead
comprises fifty-five acres. February 23, 1859, he married Jane C. Church, formerly of
Madison county, and they had two sons : L. Rae, who married Elizabeth Hoeltzel, of
Newark, and has one son : L. Henry (the fifth generation on the home farm) ; and
Lynn T., who assists his father in the business. James Y., father of our subject, was
born in Essex county, N. J., September 6, 1801, and his parents removed to Cayuga
county in 1804, and to Newark in 1806. October 29, 1828, he married Betsey Darland,
of Newark, and they had three children : Lydia A., Lewis J., and Francis Y. He died
in January, 1871, and his widow survives at the age of ninety years. Simeon, grand-
father of Lewis J., came here in 1806. and bought the home farm from Phelps & Gor-
ham's land office in Geneva. Mrs. Bryant's father, Benjamin Church, was born in
Madison county, September 2, 1816, and married Sarah Osborne, a native of England,
and they had four children : Charles, Jane O, George W., and Adeiia S. He died,
December 9, 1880, and his widow resides with her daughter, Mrs. Bryant.
24 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Bartle, Andrew C, was born in Wayne county December 2, 1828, and received his
higher education at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, and at Clinton Libera]
Institute. In early life he served as clerk in a wholesale hardware store in New York
city. In 1853 he came to Newark, and engaged in lumbering with B. F. Wright,
under the firm name of Bartle & Wright, which continued two years. From 1855 to
1868 he carried on the business alone in Newark with a branch in Clyde, then took as
partner Mr. Eames, this firm still continuing in Newark. May 10, 1854, he married
Mary A. Mulford, of Hulberton, Orleans county, they have one daughter, Charlotte.
Mr. Bartle's father, James P., was born in Freehold, Greene county, July 3, 1791,
and was a colonel in the war of 1812. While a young man he came to Newark, and
married Louisa B. McNeil, of Deerfield, Oneida county, by whom he had five children :
Antoinette A., Andrew O, Louisa T., Adelaide O, and Alice S. James P. Bartle was
the first supervisor of Arcadia, and represented the district in the Legislature, and was
also the first postmaster in Newark, continuing until 1840. He was the first worship-
ful master of Newark Lodge No. 83, F. and A. M., and the first high priest of Newark
Chapter No. 117, R.A. M. He died January 24, 1863, and his wife January 6, 1873.
Andrew C. is a member of Newark Lodge No. 83, F. and A. M., and of Chapter 117, of
Newark, R. A. M., also of Monroe Commandery, Rochester, No. 12, K. T., and also a
member of the A. 0. U. W., No. 116. First two stores for general merchandise, dis-
tillery, boat-yard, produce business and various other branches of business, and identi-
fied with village improvements, erecting churches, hotels, printing offices and building
roads and bridges.
Burnham, Hon. Edwin K., was born in Randolph, Vt., September 8, 1839, educated
in the common schools and the Royalton Academy and completing his studies at the
Orange County (Yt.) Grammar School. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, 15th Ver-
mont Infantry, and was at the battle of Gettysburg, being honorably discharged as
sergeant in 1863. In the spring of 1864 he graduated at the Albany Law School, and
was admitted to practice in the courts of the State. In June of the same year he came
to Newark and entered upon the practice of his profession as a partner of James E.
Briggs, a native of his own State. In September of the same year he re-enlisted into
the army, and October TO, 1864, was commissioned captain of Company D, 111th
Regiment, N. Y. Infantry, and went with his regiment, participating in the engage-
ments in and around Petersburg until taken prisoner April 2, 1865. He was returned
to his regiment April 9, the day of Lee's surrender, and honorably discharged June 4,
1865. Returning to Newark he began the practice of law, and in 1872 he founded the
Newark Union. In the fall of 1884 he was elected to the Legislature, and was largely
instrumental in the passage of a bill establishing the Custodial Asylum for Feeble-Minded
Women at Newark, which is now a nourishing State institution, and of which he is
secretary aud member of the Board of Trustees. In June, 1889, he was appointed
superintendent of public buildings, which position he filled with credit and honor. One
of the first innovations made by him was the rule that the national flag should lloat
from the staff on the capitol every week day through the year, which was the origin of
the movement to display the Hag on public school buildings. Mr. Burnham owns a half
interest in the Wayne County Preserving Company at Newark, and has twenty acres
devoted to fruit and vegetable growing. He has served as justice of the peace eight
years and as super isor four terms. August 31, 1865, he married Nancy A. Dillingham,
a niece of Governor Dillingham, ami of their four children one daughter died in infancy,
the others are George A., Edwin D, and Helen E. Mr. Burnham is a member of Vos-
burgh Post No. 99, G. A. R., of which he has been commander four terms. He is also
a member of Newark Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M., and also of the I. O. 0. F. No. 250, of
the A. O. U. W. No. 17, and of the Grange.
Brink, A. C, born May 20, 1863, at North Wolcott, is the son of Emmons Brink, who
is a producer and shipper of small fruits at that place. He received his education at
FAMILY SKETCHES. 25
Red Creek Seminary, prosecuted the study of law in the office of Anson S. Wood, and
was for four years in the office of Freeman & Green, of New York. In 1882 he se-
cured admission to the Wayne county bar, and began practice in Wolcott. Mr. Brink
is a Republican and a successful lawyer. He has traveled extensively through the west,
being engaged for several years in the negotiation of real estate upon the Pacific coast,
and also in Chicago, 111.
Barnes, R. R., was born in Van Buren, Onondaga county, November 21, 1849. His
father, Asa Barnes, was a prominent farmer of that town. He died in 1870, aged
eighty- two years. R. R. Barnes was educated at the Baldwinsville Academy and Caze-
novia Seminary, after which he returned to his father's farm. March 1, 1872, he came
to Clyde and purchased the business of R. R. Mattison, being associated with Eugene P.
Reed. In 1874 he purchased Mr. Reed's interest, and is now carrying one of the largest
and best selected stocks of clothing and men's furnishing goods in Wayne county. At
the age of twenty-five he married Edna A., daughter of Henry W. Le Vanway, and
they are the parents of three children: Bertram W., Le Van R., and Curtis B. Our sub-
ject is one of the longest established merchants in his town.
Bastian, George B., was born in the town of Galen, Wayne county May 29, 1852.
His father, Michael, a native of Alsace, Germany, came to the United States in 1835,
and settled in Oneida county, removing to Galen in 1837. George B. received a com-
mon school education. At the age of twenty-one he married Carrie, daughter of George
Ehresman, of Lyons, and they are the parents of four children : George H., Ella B., Eva
L., and Meda Belle. In 1881 he and his brother purchased 320 acres of land about a
mile and a half south of the village, afterwards dividing the property, each taking one-
half. He is one of the leading farmers of the locality, and is engaged in raising hay,
grain, fruit, stock, etc., also runs a milk dairy, averaging 200 quarts daily. Our subject
takes an active interest in politics, being a Democrat. He was elected town assessor in
1886 and served three years.
Bennett, Charles, was born in Williamson, January 20, 1822, and is a son of Josiah
and Ruth Bennett, mentioned in this work. Our subject was educated in the Palmyra
and Marion Academies. He has always been a farmer and owns eighty- five acres of
land, on which his father settled. Mr. Bennet was a Whig, and assisted in organizing
the Republican party, of which he has since been a member. He has been collector one
year and assessor nine years, and also trustee of the school for several years. He was a
member of I. O. 0. F. Mr. Bennett married twice ; first, Delia Warner, of Sodus, they
had six children, of whom five are living : J. Warner, who has been a postal clerk for
fifteen years and is now a druggist in Williamson, he married Lelia Brown, of Richville;
Josiah, died in infancy ; Ellen W. ; C. Fred ; Edward A. ; Mamie C. Mrs. Bennett
died in 1871, and Mr. Bennett married for a second wife Mrs. Phebe I. Bishop, of Rich-
ville, N. Y. She had two children by a former husband, Mattie I. and Errie R. Bishop.
There was born to Mr. and Mrs. Bennett one daughter, Jennie D., now married to Mr.
I. Brasser, of Buffalo,
Bishop, John Calvin, was born February 7, 1829, a son of Captain Chauncey Bishop,
of Rose, being the eighth generation in America, from John Bishop, who emigrated to
Guilford, Conn., in 1639. Necessity compelled an early departure from home of some
of the children to earn their own support, and John C. began teaching in the town of
Lyons, November 2, 1845, before he was seventeen. He was successful and continued
teaching and attending school for the next ten years. He graduated at Normal school
at Albany, April 4, 1850. At Albany he was attacked by cholera and just escaped
death. He studied surveying and engineering under Prof. George R. Perkins, and
though he has lived on a farm his chief occupation is engineering. His wife was Mary
Skilton Avery, a descendant in the seventh generation from Christopher Avery, who
emigrated from England in 1630. She is of the family known as " The Averys, of
d
26 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Groton." The most distinguished member of the family from Wayne county was the
late Hon. John H. Camp, of Lyons, a descendant of Christopher Avery. The Skiltons
were an old Connecticut family. The children of John C. and Mary Bishop were all
born at Pilgrimport, their present residence. The first born, Anna, died in 1870, aged
fifteen. Charles Avery, the oldest son, is a farmer in Tyre, Seneca county. His wife
was Jane E., daughter of William Smart, who came from England to Lyons about
1854. Their home is five miles south of Savannah village. They have five children.
He is a representative man of the best type of young American farmers. Lincoln, the
next son, also a farmer, resides at Pilgrimport. His wife was Francis Louise, daughter
of William Barrett, who is a grandson of Elder Barrett, the Rose Baptist preacher of
seventy years ago. John C. and Lincoln live as one family, Lincoln doing considerable
surveying every year, being a competent and skillful engineer. The youngest daughter,
Sarah, is at home unmarried. The youngest son, John Skilton, born September, 1861,
was educated in the Lyons Union School, Union University and the Albany Law
School. He had seven diplomas of graduation, and had been admitted to the bar in
Albany on a Supreme Court examination before he finished his course in the law
school. He went to Lincoln, Neb., in 1887. The Western Banker, a commercial pub-
lication of Chicago, issue of May 15, 1894, contains a portrait and sketch of his life and
character. June 20, 1894, he married Cora L. Knapp, of Rose Valley, N. Y. She is
the eldest daughter of E. H. Knapp, esq., who belongs to the family of Knapps residing
in Butler. They are of Connecticut stock, and date back to colonial times.
Benjamin, William, was born in the town of Westmoreland, Oneida county, in 1800,
a son of Benjamin Benjamin, who was a blacksmith, with limited means and a large
family. William, together with two older brothers, worked and paid for eighty acres
of land for their father. At the age of thirty-two years William married Nancy Shaver,
and moved to Butler, Wayne county, on the farm he had previously bought. At this
time the town was nearly an unbroken wilderness, only a small clearing around each log
house. Selling this he moved to Rose, this county, where he continued to prosper, and
at his death in his sixty-fourth year, had accumulated a large property. Both he and
wife were devoted to charity and Christianity. Their son, Manley F., was born in
Rose, this county, in 1837, and served his parents faithfully until his majority, when
his father placed him in the position of financial manager of his business, which post he
held until the latter's death. Soon afterwards he bought the entire estate, carrying it
on up to 1875, when he sold the farm, and married Jennie Stewart, daughter of Wil-
liam Stewart, of Clyde. They had two children : Roscoe, who died at the age of eight
years ; and Carlisle. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin are interested in all religious and educa-
tional matters.
Bradley, Judd B.. was born in Lyons, August 8, 1852. His father, B. J., came to
Wayne county with his parents in 1805 and settled on the farm now occupied by Judd
B., who was educated in the common schools and finished at the Lyons Union School.
Afterward he returned to his father's farm, which he bought in 1881, and which has
been in the family since 1803, having two hundred and twenty-five acres, raising hay,
grain and stock, making a specialty of Jersey stock. At the age of twenty-four he
married Elda A., daughter of H. W. Palmer, of Port Gibson. Our subject is one of
the largest farmers in the town, identified in advancing its best interests. He is in pos-
session of deeds transferring some of the land from the English government to his
grandfather, Judd B. Bradley.
Burnett, William, was born in Phelps, Ontario county, January 20, 1824. His father,
James, was a native of Little Britain, N. Y. The family originally came from Scotland
and celebrated their one hundred and fiftieth anniversary in 1890, on the old farm.
James Burnett and his father came to Phelps about 1800 and was a well known man and
prominent farmer in that town. William was educated at Marion, Lyons and Clinton,
and in 1848 entered in sophsmore class at Union College, Schenectady, and graduated
FAMILY SKETCHES. 27
in the classical course in 1851 ; after which he taught school nine years. In 186G he
came to Clyde, engaged in the mercantile business, continued five years, and since then
has been engaged in surveying and civil engineering. At the age of thirty- eight he
married Loretta, daughter of Henry Van Tassel, and they have one daughter, Kath-
erine D., who is a graduate of St. Lawrence University and of New York Medical Col-
lege and Hospital for Women. Dr. Burnett is a practicing physician in Brooklyn, N.
Y. Our subject takes an active interest in educational matters.
Barrett, George D., was born in Hooksett, New Hampshire, January 9, 1846. His
father, William H. Barrett, was a prominent contractor and builder of that town, pay-
ing particular attention to railroad work. He was lieutenant-colonel of the Eighth
New Hampshire Regiment, entering the service as captain, was promoted for bravery
and meritorious conduct. He died in 1871, aged fifty-seven years. G. D. Barrett was
educated in the high schools of Nashua, New Hampshire, entering Dartmouth Medical
College in 1875, graduating in the class of 1828, and first opened an office in Boston. He
then removed to North Abington, remaining until 1884, and the same year came to
Marengo, remaining until 1893. He located in Clyde in November, 1894, and estab-
lished a general practice. At the age of thirty-two he married Mary H., daughter of
Alfred Randall, of Boston, and they have had two children : Grace M. and George C;
the latter died in childhood. Our subject was formerly a member of the Massachusetts
Medical Society, is now a member of the Wayne County Medical Society and health
officer of the town of Galen. Dr. Barrett early developed a desire for travel. At six-
teen years of age he took a three months' trip to the Bahama Islands and Gulf of Mex-
ico; in 1867 visited Canada, stopping among the Canadians over six months; in 1869,
a trip to Mexico by way of Isthmus of Panama ; to Mazatlan, on west coast, nearly
a year was devoted to that country, and five years to California and Nevada.
Blackburn, John A., was born in Iredell county, North Carolina, October 14, 1828,
and was educated in the common schools, to which he has added by reading and close
observation. Afterward he established the hardware business in Hillville, Carroll
county, Va , continuing four years. In 1855 he came to Lyons and purchased the fan-
ning mill factory of S. D. Van Wickle, continuing the manufacture until 1863, when he
established the agricultural implement business, which he continues up to the present
time. At the age of thirty-two he married Margaret M., daughter of Jesse Smith, of
Lyons, and they are the parents of three daughters: Mrs. Jesse Van Camp, Isabel and
Grace. Our subject is one of the leading men in his town, taking an active interest in
educational and religious matters,
Bockoven, H. S., was born in the town of Galen, in 1834. His father, Samuel, was
one of the prominent farmers of the town of Galen. H. S. Bockoven was educated in
the common schools, and at the age of twenty-eight married Ada, daughter of Israel
Roy, by whom he has two daughters : Edna R., and Gertrude A. He has ninety-eight
acres of some of the best land in Wayne county, and raises mint, fruit, hay, grain and
stock. Our subject is recognized as one of the representative men of his town, taking
an active interest in school and church matters.
Bean, Amos, was born in England, in 1843. He was the youngest child of a family
of six children born to Samuel and Mary Bean, natives of England. May 28, 1856, he
came to Ontario and settled on the farm, where he died in 1877, aged seventy-seven
years. His wife died in 1894, aged eighty-nine years. Amos was thirteen years old
when he came to Ontario, where he has since lived, and is engaged in general farming.
Mr. Bean is an independent in politics. In 1870 he was married to Sarah Bean, widow of
a brother, George Bean. By her first marriage she had two children, Mary and Willie
(deceased). Of the second" marriage five children children were born : Hattie, Clara
Martha, Minnie and Eva.
28 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Bradley, Benjamin, was born April 1, 1828, in Lyons. His father. Thomas, was a
successful farmer and prominent man in his town, and in business strictly honest, leav-
ing at his death eight children, six boys and two girls, the oldest being seventeen, the
mother having died several years before. The fact most worthy of mention was this :
The six brothers grew up without contracting the habit of strong drink, tobacco or
cards. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools, at-
tending the Lima Academy for a short time. After spending a year in Wisconsin he
returned to Lyons in 1853 and bought a small farm of forty-two acres from the Samuel
D. Westfall estate. Afterwards, another part of the same estate, also three other ad-
ditions from adjoining neighbors, possessing some of the best land in Wayne county,
making a specialty of fruit and grain. At the age of twenty-seven he married Sarah.
M., daughter of William A. Teller, and they are the parents of three children, two of
whom are living, Matie A. Eck, of Toledo, Ohio, and Clayton T., of Phelps. Our sub-
ject is one of the self-made men of his town, taking an intelligent interest in educa-
tional and religious matters, of sterling integrity and recognized worth.
Barber, William, carriagemaker, and dealer in wagons, sleighs, etc., at Red Creek, was
a soldier of the late war, having served for two years without material injury. He
enlisted in August, 1862, in the 138th N. Y. Vols., which was transferred to the 9th N.
Y. Heavy Artillery. He was born at Victory, Cayuga county, May 23, 1839. He
established his present business in 18G5 and still occupies the same location. In 1871
he married Jean Barber, of Syracuse, and they have two sons, Edwin W., born 1872, a
druggist in Syracuse, and Gay P., born 1873, who is engaged at wagon work with his
father.
Barton, Archibald, was born in Haverstraw, Orange county, June 4, 1833. His
father, William, was a native of Connecticut. Archibald was educated in the common
schools. In 1855 he came to Lyons and engaged in farming six years, and in 1861
came to Galen. In 1866 he married Abbie N., daughter of Joseph C. Watson, and
they have had five children : Dillwyn, Joseph W., Lynn, Olive V., and Nellie. In 1871
he bought a part of the James Angell and the Skinner property of eighty-seven acres,
and in 1890 bought what is known as the Philip Haugh farm of fifty-five acres, having
195 acres of some of the best land in Wayne county, raising fruit, hay, grain and stock.
Our subject was highway commissioner three terms, re-elected in 1894, and takes an
active interest in education.
Bates, Mary E., daughter of Edward and Lucinda Clark, of Red Creek, is the widow
of William Bates, late of Westbury. Her father came here from Columbia county in
1853, and is still located upon the farm then purchased, and is a much respected citizen.
The maternal grandfather of our subject, Ezra Park, of Canaan, N. Y., was in many
ways a man of note. He was ten years of age when Fulton's steamboat first plowed
the waters of the Hudson, and was a witness of that scene. At his birth George
Washington was still living, and the Burr-Hamilton duel was fought while he was a
small boy. His Republicanism dated from the formation of the party, and he never
missed an election from his majority until his death in 1892, reaching the unusual age of
ninety-five years. Mrs. Bates is a lady of culture and refinement, widowed in early
womanhood, has two children, Edna L. and George C. William Bates enlisted as a
soldier of his country in Company F, 3d Regiment New York Light Artillery. He re-
ceived an honorable discharge, but while in the service contracted disease which re-
sulted in his death May 4, 1891.
Button, William W., was born in Wayne county in 1856, and in 1882 married Minnie
Penoyar, daughter of William H. Penoyar, of Lyons. Their children are : George
Henry, William Edwin, Stanley Leroy, Clara Louisa, ami Howard. The latter moved
from Lyons in 1888 to Palmyra. Both Mr. and Mrs. Button are natives of New York
city, who came to this county in 1869 and located in the town of Sodus, moving to
Peekskill, Westchester county, in 1889.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 29
Brandt, J. S., M.D,. was born in Ontario, February 15, 1856. He is the youngest
child born to J. W. and Sarah J. (Eddy) Brandt, he a native of Schoharie county, born
in 1823, and she a native of Williamson, born in 1818. The grandfather of J. S. Brandt
was Joshua Brandt, a native of Maine, and among the early settlers of Ontario, where
he lived and died. The maternal grandfather was Joseph Eddy, a settler of William-
son, and justice of peace many years. He died at the age of forty -six. The father of
J. S. Brandt was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools; was graduated
from the Buffalo Medical College, and practiced four years in Michigan. He afterward
came to Ontario, and practiced his profession until he retired, about four years ago.
Mrs. Brandt died in 1889. Dr. Brandt is a Democrat in politics, and was a surgeon in the
war of the Rebellion. J. S. Brandt was reared on a farm, and received his early educa-
tion in the common school. In 1873 he was graduated from the Rochester Collegiate
Institute, and from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York in 1878.
Since that he has successfully practiced his profession in his native town, and is a mem-
ber of the western division of the New York State Medical Society. Dr. Brandt is a
Democrat. He is a member of the Walworth Lodge, No. 154, F. & A. M., and Pal-
myra Eagle Chapter, No. 79, R. A. M. Dr. Brandt was married in 1883 to Kittie G.
Maher, a native of Macedon, and daughter of Jeremiah and Mary Maher, both natives
of Canada. Four children were born to Dr. Brandt and wife : Eldred S., Arthur W.,
Willard J., and Harold L. Dr. Brandt is one of the pension examining surgeons of
Wayne county, appointed in 1893.
Brown, Charles, was born in Galen, May 30, 1840. His father, Silas Brown, was a
native of Vermont and came to Wayne county. He died in 1885, aged seventy-six
years. Charles Brown was educated in the common schools, to which he has added
through life by reading and close observation. At the age of twenty- one he married
Alvira, daughter of Abram De Golia, and they have one child, Mrs. Emma Corrigan.
In 1875 he purchased of his father fifty acres, where he now resides, and what was
known as the Brush farm, raising fruit, hay, grain and stock. Our subject is a liberal
supporter of schools, and the M E. Church of Clyde.
Bennett, John P., was born in Williamson, July 10, 1824, and is the son of Josiah
and Ruth Reeves Bennett, who came to America from England with his parents and
settled in Hudson. Josiah Bennett was educated at Pittsfield, Mass., Medical College,
and came to Williamson in 1815, and practiced his profession until his death in 1850.
Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and Marion
Academy and Rochester Collegiate Institute. He engaged in farming, and in 1872 he
began buying and selling grain, and at present is engaged in the lumber business. He
has a large lumber yard and does a large business in making boxes for packing evapo-
rated apples and other fruit Mr. Bennett has been justice nine years, and was a mem-
ber of the Assembly in 1854-55, and in 1890. He was elected supervisor 1879, and is
now serving his sixteenth year. He was sheriff 1862-63-64 and 1868-69 and '70.
Mr. Bennett is a member of the Pultenyville Lodge, No. 154, F & A. M., and he and
his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. In 1861 Mr. Bennett married
Sarah M.. daughter of William and Deliah Eddie Bradley, early settlers of Williamson,
N. Y., and they have five children : William J., who married Mary Freeman, and has
one daughter, Sarah P.; Albert B.; John D., died in infancy, R. May, and Samuel S.
Baker, George 0., was born in West Monroe, which was then a part of Constantia.
Oswego county, June 30, 1835. His father, Samuel P. Baker, was a native of Mar-
cellus. Onondaga county, and removed to Oswego county at the age of twenty-one,
where he engaged in the business of tanner and currier, and in the manufacture of
boots and shoes. During the latter part of his life Mr. Baker devoted himself to farm-
ing. He married Miss Mary H. Atherton, daughter of Samuel Atherton, and to them
were born eight children. Samuel Baker died in 1888. at the age of eighty-eight
years. George O. Baker, the fourth son, studied law and was admitted to practice at
30 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Syracuse in 1S59, and came to Clyde in August of the same year, where he engaged
in general practice. He married Miss Ellen Gregory, daughter of Aaron Gregory, of
Mexico, Oswego county, and they are the parents of five children, two of whom are
now living, William G. Baker, of Poughkeepsie, and Alice J. Baker.
Booth, B. S.. son of Norman and Paulina Booth, of Huron, Wayne county, N. Y.,
was born in 1829. He acquired a business education at Lyons High School and in 1852
engaged as merchant in Wolcott. He is now the senior member of the firm of Booth
& Merrill, grocers and stationers, established in 1874. Mr. Booth was constable in
1857 and 1858, the first Republican postmaster of Wolcott under the administration of
President Lincoln in 1861, deputy sheriff from 1871 to 1877, under sheriff from 1877 to
1880 and is now a notary. October 9, 1851, he married Margaret, daughter of James
T. Wisner, and she died in 1857, and in 1858 Mr. Booth married Mary, daughter of
Hiram Church, of Wolcott, and they have four children, of whom one son, William, is
an engineer on the N. Y. C. & H. R. R.
Brownell, M. Alice, M. D., was born in Shelby, Orleans county. She was first
educated in the public schools, then in the Select School at Medina, at the Howland
Institute in Union Springs, at the Normal School of Brockport, and the Granger Place
School at Canandaigua. For nine years she was a successful teacher, during which she
studied medicine and later entered the medical department of the Michigan University
of Ann Arbor, from which she graduated in 1885, and practiced in Rochester five years
with success. August 1, 1891, she was appointed resident and attending physician of
the State Custodial Asylum for Feeble Minded Women, at Newark, by the Board
of Managers of that institution, which position she now retains and has creditably filled
for the past three years.
v
Bickford, Lyman, was born in East Bloomfield, November 1, 1820. Azariah Bickford,
his father, was a native of Maine. His grandfather, Rev. James P. Bickford, went to
Rochester in the year 1812, being one of the first settlers at that time. He afterward
removed to Michigan, where he died, at the age of 84. Azariah Bickford was a black-
smith by trade and started business in East Bloomfield. In 1819 he married Philana
Perkins, of the town of Victor, and their family consisted of nine children, Lyman B.
being the eldest. Azariah Bickford died in 1886, aged 84. Lyman Bickford is a
machinist and has carried on business since 1842. At present he is retired. April 28,
1842, he married Elvira Perkins and they are the parents of three children : Mary,
who married Colonel Henry Underbill, dying in her 26th year, and two sons, deceased.
Mr. Bickford is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Macedon Lodge 665. He is a
member of the Universalist Church. In politics he is a Democrat and served as super-
visor for five years. He was the founder of the Bickford & Huffman Company now
doing business in Macedon village.
Beardsley, David S., M. D., was born in Trumbull, Fairfield county, Conn., April 8,
1810. He is the youngest of the five children of James and Ruth (Summers) Beardsley,
natives of Trumbull, he born in 1758 and she in February, 1767. He was a Revolu-
tionary soldier. The family is of English descent, Mr. Beardsley having come to
America from Stratford-on-Avon, England, in 1635, at the age of thirty. He named the
town of Stratford in Fairfield county, Conn., and one of his descendants came to Western
New York and named the town of Avon. Dr. Beardsley is the seventh generation in
America. He was educated in the common school and Cherry Valley Academy, studied
medicine with Alonzo White, M. D, of Cherry Valley, Otsego county, and graduated
from the Albany Medical College in 1840. He practiced his profession at Middlefield
Center from 1842 to 1849, and in November of the latter year he came to Williamson,
and to Puitneyville in 1854, on April 1, where he has since had a successful practice.
He at present leads a retired life. November 24, 1841, he married Laura F. Carr, a
native of ITartwick, born July 23, 1820, and a daughter of Ephraim and Sarah (Todd)
FAMILY SKETCHES. 31
Carr, natives of Connecticut, Avho died in Otsego county, where the grandfather of
Mrs. Beardsley settled in 1790. Dr. Beardsley has been a life-long Democrat, and
voted for Andrew Jackson in 1832. He is a member of the Pultneyville Lodge, No.
159, and was a member of I. 0. 0. F. for many years. He and his family are mem-
bers of the Presbyterian church. The father of our subject. James Beardsley, was a
member of the assembly for eight terms, and a relative of Dr. Beardsley, who named
the town of Avon, N. Y.
Brockman, Lewis, a native of G-ermany, born June 8, 1853, is a son of Fred and
Eliza Brockman, who came from Germany to America in 1881 with two daughters and
settled in Rochester. They had a family of two sons and two daughters, all of whom
came to America and all still survive. Mr. Brockman was a farmer, and in religion
they are German Lutherans. Mrs. Brockman died in 1882, but he still lives in Roches-
ter with a daughter, Sopha, wife of William Coward. Lewis Brockman came to
America in 1874, having been educated in the common schools of Germany. He went
to work as a farm hand, and was seven years employed by William Gould. In 1881
he purchased the farm of eighty acres where he has since resided, carrving on general
farming and fruit growing, also evaporating fruit. In 1877 he married Hattie Kier, of
Ontario, by whom he has had these children : Bertha, William, Fred, Charlie, George
and Nora.
Breisch, F. L., was born in Hailbron, Wurtenberg, Germany, August 2, 1853. His
father, Frederick, came to the United States in 1856 direct to Lyons, and settled on a
farm at Alloway. He brought up a large family of ten sons and two daughters. F.
L. Breisch was educated in the common schools to which he has added through life by
reading and close observation. At the age cf eight he was bound out to a farmer, re-
maining six years. At seventeen he learned the millers trade at Alloway, and in 1874
came to the village of Lyons and entered the employ of Capt. C. Englehardt in the
grocery business. In 1878 was associated with G. M. Hattler in the dry goods busi-
ness, and in 1879 went with I. B Schuyler & Co. and established the original New
York store in Lyons. In 1886 he entered into partnership with R. A. Hubbard in a
general dry goods store, which connection terminated in 1889. Then in connection
with P. T. Hartman re-established the business carried on by I. B. Schuyler & Co.,
known as the New York Dry Goods Store. At the age of twenty-nine he married
Helen W., daughter of Henry Smith, of Lyons, and they have one son, Earle F. Our
subject is a Democrat in politics and was elected town clerk for two terms, and while
leading an active business life has found time to take an interest in school and church
matters, being a member of the Lutheran Church, also a member of Humanity F. &
A. M. Lodge No. 406. Our subject is recognized as a man of conservative character,
whose life has found his word to be as good as his bond.
Barnes, Harvey D., was born in Galen October 8, 1836, and was the son of Edward
Barnes. His wife was Hannah Tindall and their children were: Charles H, Caroline
E., wife of Peter Fisher, of Michigan ; Horatio V., and Mary Ella. Our subject left
home when eleven years of age and has always followed farming. In 1861 he enlisted
in the 44th N. Y. Vol. Ellsworth Regiment, Company K, and served three years. The
principal engagements in which he participated were siege of Yorktown, evacuation of
Centerville, Fredericksburg, Antietam, South Mountain and Gettysburg. He was dis-
abled March 11, 1862, and discharged at Johnson's Island, where he had been detailed
to guard prisoners. Since the war he has been engaged in farming, and owns ninety-
six acres. In 1864 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Catchpole, of Huron.
Mr. Barnes is a member of the G. A. R. John E. Sherman Post No. 410, of Rose Val-
ley, and he and wife are members of the Clyde Grange, No. 33.
Burnett, A. C, was born in the town of Galen October 7, 1848. His father, W. H.
Burnett, was a native of Junius, Seneca county, and was a prominent farmer of the
32 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
town of Galen. He married Jane A. Collamer, of Ballston, Saratoga county, and died
September 12, 188.'!, aged sixty-five years. A. C. Burnett was educated in the common
schools, to which he has added through life by reading and close observation. He re-
turned to his father's farm in 1X73, purchased one-half the homestead farm, and inher-
ited the other portion in 1883, having 200 acres, raising fruit, grain and stock. His
grandfather, Arch Burnett, was the first man to cultivate and distill mint in Wayne
county, securing the first roots from the wild mint on the banks of the streams. A. C.
Burnett married Alice, daughter of Spencer Yandemark, and they are the parents of
one daughter, Jane A. He is a member of Clyde Lodge No. 300, of Wayne Encamp-
ment, Newark, Galen Canton No. 49, and major on General Shafer's staff of Patriarchs
Militant.
Benton, William, was born in Columbia county August 11, 1827, and is the seventh
of the eleven children of Jonathan and Kate Mclntyre Benton, he a native of Ver-
mont, and she of Columbia county, N. Y. Both died in 1837. Our subject was reared
a fanner, and came to Williamson in 1853, and now owns eighty acres of land and
follows general farming. He is a Democrat. March 11, 1854, he married Angeline
Clark, a native of Columbia county, and a daughter of John I. and Margaret Clark,
now residing at Sodus Point. Mr. and Mrs. Benton have had eleven children: Arthur,
Helena, Justina, Estella, Willie and Annie, deceased ; Charles, John, Margaret, de-
ceased ; Ada and Fred.
Brown, George A., son of Benjamin and Mary Brown, was born in the town of Ros-
coemanor, Berks county. Pa., January 3, 1848. There he learned the trade of harness-
maker, and for a few years followed it as a journeyman, but in 1872 he came to Clyde,
where he has since resided. The year of his arrival here, Mr. Brown opened a small
harness shop — the nucleus of his present extensive manufactory, and which has de-
veloped into one of the largest industries of the kind between Syracuse and Rochester.
April 30, 1874, he married Hannah, daughter of Abraham Knight, of Clyde. They
have two children living, Ralph Robert and Aden George, and two deceased, Ella
Pauline and Laura Hannah.
Bevier, Fred, was born at Niles, Cayuga county, May 18, 1863. His father, Simon
Bevier, was a man of prominence at that place, and died in 1877, at the age of fifty.
Fred received a good academic education at Munroe Collegiate Institute at Elbridge,
N. Y. He adopted undertaking as his chosen profession, and began his business life
by association with N. G. Anderson of Syracuse. In 1892 he came to Wolcott, and
established the business at No. 30 Main street, making a specialty of arterial embalm-
ing, beside carrying a large stock of furniture. November 14, 1888, he married Cora,
daughter of William Tanner, of Niles. Mrs. Bevier graduated from the State Normal
School at Cortland, N. Y., in 1883, after which she spent several years in teaching.
Benton, John W., was born on the old homestead, upon which he now resides, Janu-
ary 21, 1823. He was educated in the public schools of Newark and at the Genesee
Wesley an Seminary at Lima, N. Y. November 21, 1850, he married Harriet, second
daughter of Austin and Sarah Roe, and they have two daughters, Frances Roe and
Harriet. Frances R. married Arthur N. Hull of Greenfield, Mass., and they have two
children, Lillian Preston and Roger Benton. Harriet married Rev. Francis Bellamy,
now of Boston, and they have two sons, John Benton and David. Mr. Benton's
father, Rev. Roger Benton, was born in Litchfield county, Conn., in 1770. He was a
clergyman and belonged to the Baltimore conference, and traveled in Central New
York as one of the pioneer Methodist ministers. He preached and travelled over large
circuits until his voice failed him entirely, when to occupy his time he taught school in
Canandaigua, hoping to regain his voice, but not recovering it, he decided to locate
and found his way through the wilderness from Canandaigua to this locality by blazed
trees with the aid of a pocket compass. He contracted for his farm in 1805, and built
FAMILY SKETCHES. 33
himself a log house on the spot where the subject of this notice now resides, making
one of the rooms in it especially large to accommodate religious meetings, where the
early settlers congregated regularly for seven years for public preaching and social
meetings. After which he built a church on his own farm, where the cemetery now is,
" the neighboring settlers aiding as they could by bees and labor." There was no vil-
lage where Newark now is, nor any central point. There was a saw mill at Marble-
town, and Geneva was the place where most of the business was done. Roger Benton
married twice ; first Sally Jenks, of Seneca, on Geneva Lake, and they had one son,
Lewis J. His second marriage was to Mrs. Frances (Beal) Oaks, formerly of Oaks
Corners, Ontario county. They had one son, the above John W. Roger Benton died
in 1846, and his wife in 1854. The ancestry of the Ben tons were English and Scotch.
Mrs. Benton's father, Hon. Austin Roe, was born in Litchfield county. Conn., in 1802,
and came to Wayne county with his parents when eighteen years old. He was a farmer
by occupation and married Sarah Wisner, formerly of Orange county, and they had
eight children : Deborah A., Charles, Harriet, Charlotte M., Austin L, Rebecca, Sarah
and Albert H. He died in 1866, aged sixty-four years. His wife still survives him,
aged ninety-two. The Roes are of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Benton are mem-
bers of the M. E. church. He is one of the trustees, and has held many of the offices
of the church. He was superintendent of the Methodist Sunday school for thirty years.
Burghdorf, Joseph, whose great-grandfather came when a lad from Germany, is the
oldest son of Jacob J. and Miranda Burgdorf, who were life-long residents of Wayne
county. They reared a family of nine children, of whom six are now living. Joseph
was born at Auburn, October 28, 1836, and has been engaged in farming- the most of
his life. October 27, 1859, he married Mary E., daughter of George Doolittle, of But-
ler, who died October 19, 1874, leaving a family of four children : Harriet, wife of San-
ger Case, a merchant at Sodus Point; Addie, wife of E. D. Ebray, of Sodus; Spencer,
who married Sarah Stothard, and is a farmer of Victory, Cayuga county, N. Y. ; and
Allan, who died when eight years of age. In 1875 he married Laura A., daughter of
William H. Nichols, of Huron. Two children have been born to them : Paul M., who
is now at home, and Otto, who died in infancy.
Britton, John, son of Richard and Ann Britton, was born in Williamson, August 18
1831. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He has
always followed farming and now owns eighty acres of land, which he settled on when
twenty- six years of age. He resided there thirty -six years, and then sold and came to
Williamson in 1891, where he now leads a retired life. He is a Republican in politics,
and was excise commissioner for three years. Mr. Britton and wife are members of the
Presbyterian church. January 18, 1857, he married Sarah D. Thomas, a native of
Marion, born in 1831. Mr. Britton has one adopted daughter, Daisy, the wife of George
Wamesfelder, of Ontario, and they have one daughter, Ruth. Mrs. Britton's mother
lived with her daughter until her death, ten years before she died, January 13, 1888,
at the age of eighty-one.
Brant, Hamilton, the third of seven children of Joshua and Susannah Brant, was born
in Schoharie county, August 3, 1809. He was reared on a farm and educated in the
common schools. He taught school and took great interest in public questions, and was
a good debater. He came to Wayne county about 1840 and bought the farm now
owned by the family, where he died in 1868. Formerly a Democrat he became a Re-
publican about 1856. He married in 1844 Frances B. White, a native of Saratoga
county, who was born March 24, 1824, and daughter of Stephen and Sarah White, and
they had ten children. Mr. White and wife came to Penfield, Monroe county, in 1831,
and emigrated to Michigan, where he died in 1872, and his wife in 1869. Mr. Brant
and wife have had four children : Mason, Amasa, Jennie, and William. Mason mar-
ried Jane Church, of Ontario, by whom he has seven children : Sarah J., Hattie R.,
34 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Amasa, Amelia J., George, William H., and Edith. Amasa married Florence Sweed, of
Penfield, and has two children : J. Hamilton and Leon. William married Carrie Ott,
of Walworth, and has one child, Homer Hamilton. Jennie, William, and their mother
reside on the homestead of 108 acres, and follow general farming, and are members of
Ontario Center Grange 122.
Barnard, Walter, was born in Schenectady county, February 26, 1847, was educated
in the common schools and at Ballston Spa Academy. In 1871 he engaged in railway
work, entering the employ of the Delaware and Hudson Company as freight brakeman,
and later as passenger conductor. In 1886 he entered the employ of the West Shore
Railroad Company as yard master at Newark, which position he has filled with ability
since. October 19, 1876, he married Rosamond Griswold, of Castleman, Vt., and they
have had two children : Nellie, who died young, and Lillian. Mr. Barnard's father,
Morgan L., was born at Lowville, Lewis county, in 1812, and was a hotel keeper all his
life. He married Catharine E. Hermanse, of Rensselaer county, and of their ten chil-
dren five survive : Walter, Anna, Helen, Emily, and Bella. He died in 1888, and his
widow survives him. Mr. Barnard is a Mason of Lebanon Unity No. 9.
Clark, James 0., son of Dennis Clark and Amanda Reeves Clark, was born in Pal-
myra, January 19, 1832. He married in 1856 Alinda, a daughter of Jamps T. Wisner,
who died in 1859. In 1862 he married Anna M. Reeves, daughter of Austin Reeves,
and their children are: Emerson D., who died aged thirteen years, and Hattie A.
James 0. Clark's farm consists of 150 acres, and was purchased in 1860 of Newton
Foster, a son of one the pioneers of the town. It was formerly a noted wheat farm,
but dairying is now its leading interest. Mr. Clark taught school a few terms in his
younger days, has been highway commissioner three years, and supervisor of Palmyra
four years. In politics he is a Republican.
Corrin, E. Q., was born on the Isle of Man, Janury 21, 1857, came to the United
States, and located in Clyde in 1870, being then thirteen years of age. He lived with
his uncle, Philip Grimsha, who was a farmer in the town of Galen. E. Q. Corrin was
educated in the common schools, to which he has added through life by reading and
close observation. He was appointed superintendent of the Gas Company in 1880 ; in
1885 went into the grocery business with E. Sands, continuing that connection two
years; in 1889 associated with E. N. Hughson and established his present business; in
1892 purchased his partner's interest, and is now carrying a large stock of stoves,
ranges, hardware and cutlery. At the age of twenty-four he married Laura, daughter
of Edwin Sands, and they are the parents of three children: John G,, Louise, and
Robena S. Subject was a member of the Republican County Committee four years, a
trustee of the school district four years, a leader of the Presbyterian church choir, and
one of the charter members of the Saxton Band.
Carver, P. K., came into the town of Savannah in 1836, the house was then on lot
99. The Monteznma turnpike road had cut off about two acres of land, which had
been sold to some former owner of lot 12 in Tyre. The house was moved over the
line in the fall of 1836, near the east bounds of lot 99, was an old Indian camping
ground, numerous relics were found there in 1837. Some of the first settlers were
buried on the lot, the ground being now used for farming purposes. The north line of
Seneca county was surveyed by Joseph Annin in 1791, marked a tree near the marsh:
Township No. 26, Lot 12. Annin surveyed Wayne county in 1798. making long and
narrow lots on the south line of the county, lot 99 being 426', chains on the east line
4412, chains on the west. The southwest corner of the town of Savannah is near the
center of the road, about 44 chains 36 links south of the southwest corner of lot 89.
The first settlers of the (now) town of Savannah came by the way of May's Point, and
had to go that way to get to mills in Cayuga and Seneca counties. After the turnpike
was made across Crusoe Island from Montezuma to Armitage, most of the farmers
FAMILY SKETCHES. 35
went to Port Byron and Troopsville to mill. There was a tollgate at the east end of
the Seneca River bridge, farmers commuting and paying the toll by working on the
road. P. K. Carver was married in 1855 to Sophia J. Burnett, of Lyons. Their family
consisted of four children : Helen, Mary, Gardner (now deceased), and Elmer, who
resides with his parents on their farm.
Creager, John, was born in Lyons, August 6, 1825. His father, William, was a
native of Frederick county, Md., and came to Lyons in 1802 with his father, Henry,
who exchanged his farm in Maryland for a section of 640 acres in the town of Galen,
now known as Creager's Bridge John was educated in the district school, which was
on the Creager estate. His father died when he was twelve years of age, and he had
to take the management, with the aid of his mother, of his father's farm. At the age
of twenty-five he married Rachael' A., daughter of John Levans, of Galen, and they
were the parents of one daughter, Sarah J., who died in August, 1892. In 1860 he
bought the Cole Roy property of 123 acres, raising large amounts of hay, grain and
stock, in 1867 removed* to Alloway, and in 1887 bought his present residence on Broad
street in Lyons. He is a Democrat in politics, and has held the office of assessor six
years, justice of the peace four years, and trustee of the school.
Cone, Walter L., jr., was born in Lenox, Madison county, March 13, 1832, the fourth
child of a family of six, born to Walter L., sr., and Caroline C. (Curtis) Cone, the father
having been born in Oneida county in 1798, and the mother in East Haddam, Conn., in
1803. They were married December 2, 1821. Mr. Cone died December 12, 1888, and
his wife, December 5, 1885. Walter L., sr., settled on the farm owned by our subject in
1837, cleared it, and there spent the remainder of his days. He was a Republican, and
was captain in the State militia. Walter L., jr., our subject, was reared on the farm,
educated in the common schools of Ontario, and engaged in farming, now owning 115
acres of land. He is a Republican, and has served as assessor three terms. November
11, 1858, he married Nellie Bennett, of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Cone have had two
children : Glen C, who married Allen Cattien, and has one child, Ada B. ; and Kittie, wife
of Floyd Gates, of Ontario. They have three children : Glen, Roscoe, and Elma M.
Glen C. is a fruit raiser and farmer. He has served as clerk of the Board of Supervisors
for three years. The grandfather of our subject was Walter R. Cone, of East Haddam,
Conn., born November 26, 1764, who married Dorothy Palmer, March 26, 1789. He died
November 22, 1829, and his wife in 1847. The father of Walter R. was Sylvanus Cone,
of East Haddam, Conn., born January 21, 1731, who married, November 13, 1755,
Hannah Ackley, born March 18, 1742. He died in Millington, Conn., May 3, 1812, and
his wife, June 24, 1789. His second wife was Mary E. Graves, whom he married
October 6, 1790. She was born in 1746, and died January 23, 1807. His third wife
was Eunice Spencer, whom he married November 1, 1809. She was born in 1736, and
died October 11, 1819. The father of Sylvanus was James Cone, who married Elizabeth
Warner. He was born in East Haddam, August 24, 1698, and died December 7, 1767.
He served as representative in 1747. He was married previously to this to Grace
Spencer who died in 1727. James was the son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Hungerford)
Cone, the former dying in 1731, and the latter in 1753. Nathaniel was the son of Daniel,
the first of the family to come to America. He was born in 1626, and died in 1706.
Craven, D. P., was born in Sodus, Wayne county, N. Y., October 17, 1841. He was
the oldest son of James and Hannah Craven,, who were natives of Yorkshire, England,
and came to America about the year 1835, settling in Ontario county, N. Y. Three years
after they moved to Sodus; they moved to Ontario, in 1853, where they lived till the
year 1867; leaving New York they settled in Jasper county, Iowa, where they resided
until their death, which occurred in 1886 and 1884. Our subject was reared on the farm
and educated in Sodus and Walworth Academies. He married Julia Bennett in On-
tario, N. Y., November 8, 1865, daughter of John and Jane (Mason) Bennett, natives of
36 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
New York and New Jersey. In April he took the advice of the sage Horace Greeley and
went west and settling in Jasper county, Iowa, where he now owns 600 acres of as
productive land as is in the United States. Mr, Craven is a Democrat in politics, as are
also his five sons. He is agnostic in religion. He has held the office of supervisor for
a number of years in the State of Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Craven are the parents of eight
children, five sons and three daughters, all living. J. Edwin, born September 6, 1866;
D. Homer, July 10, 1869 : John R., September 29, 1871 ; Thurman P., August 10, 1875 ;
Galen R., June 22, 1877: B. Gabrielle, January 24, 1879; M. Genevieve, August 24,
1881, and M. Guinevere, May 22, 1884. After an absence of twenty-sevetj years Mr.
Craven moved back to Ontario, N. Y., where he now lives and owns the McConnell
farm, situated midway between Ontario and Ontario Centre villages, leaving his three
older sons to manage his western farm.
Crandle, R. S., was born October 9, 1825, at the place where his home is now situated.
His parents, Seth and Rebecca, came from Mentz, Cayuga county. They had eight
children, of whom four now survive. Seth died September 21, 1871, and his wife Jan-
uary 16, 1855. Our subject began farming when twenty-five and purchased the farm
now his own in 1860. He married, January 14, 1864, Mary A., daughter of Loammi
Beadle of Savannah, by whom he had four children: Elton, born January 8, 1867, who
died aged fifteen, a youth of uncommon moral worth and studious habits; Everett,
born January 12, 1869, who married Bertha Titus and lives in Savannah; Martha, born
June 1, 1872, and Mary born September 25, 1874.
Clark, Samuel, of English stock, located in Palmyra about 1794, having three sens:
Samuel, jr., who removed to Michigan about 1840; Benjamin and Oliver, the two latter,
buying land together across the creek from East Palmyra. This farm was afterwards
divided, Benjamin taking the north and Oliver the south part. Here Benjamin died, and
also his daughters, one remaining granddaughter removing to the west about 1838.
Oliver was born February 14, 1767, and died January 21,1843. He came with the early
settlers from Long Island, and was a tailor, as well as farmer. He had three sisters, one
of whom became the wife of Gabriel Rogers, and later removed to Sodus. She was the
mother of B. R. and James of Lyons, and Erastus of Sodus. Another sister married
Solomon Franklin, and after his death, Luther Sandford. The other married Samuel
Soverhill of Arcadia. Her children were Joel and Hiram, and Mrs. Henry Cronise. In
1796 Oliver married Sarah Jessup, who died January, 1823. Their children were Maltby,
born March 31, 1798; Matilda, born June 3, 1800, died April 2, 1827; Jerry, born
September 16, 1802; Dennis, born March 21, 1805; Nelson, born May 7, 1827 ; Betsey
J., born December 5, 1810 ; Hannah, born February 14, 1812, and Hiram, born April
29, 1814, died January 11, 1835. Jerry, Nelson, Betsey J. and Hannah settled in Carlton,
Orleans county. The mother of these children died January 8, 1823, and in 1828, Oliver
married Susan Romyen of Galen, who died in 1857. Maltby, the oldest of the family,
in 1821 married Maria Mason, who died the next year. In May, 1825. he married Jerusha
Jagger, by whom he had eight children : Henry M., born March 6, 1826 ; Maria M., born
January 25, 1829; Abigail J., November 3, 1831; Harriet E, August 8, 1834; Nelson,
March 23, 1837 ; Lucius H, December 8, 1840 ; Oliver M., January 31, 1846, and Mary
E,, January 28, 1850. Malty served in various town offices, was coroner six years, and
county superintendent of the poor three terms. He died in June 1875. Henry M. re-
sided with his parents until April 3, 1850, when he married Frances A. Foster. Their
children are Edwin H., born January 3, 1852, who resides near his father; George W.,
born July 26, 1853, died September 30, 1875; and Julia F., born August 14, 1856, who
married Edwin F. White. The first four years of Henry M.'s married life were passed on
a part of his grandfather's home farm, which he afterwards sold, and bought the place
where his son now resides. He was member of assembly in 1874, supervisor in 1880 and
'81, and has been stated clerk of the Presbytery of Lyons for the last twenty-four years.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 37
Carman, Truman, is a native of Monroe county, born in 1830, who came when a
child, with his parents to Wayne county. He followed farming until about thirty- five
years of age, then engaged in the real estate and stock trade in Rochester, Monroe
county, for five years. He then returned to Wayne county and to Palmyra in 1884.
In 1855 he married Emeline Miller, of this county, born in 1835, and they have three
children : James, Jennie and Lee. The parents of our subject were Peter and Mary
(Armstrong) Carman, were natives of Dutchess county, who moved to Wayne county
about 1835, and died in Walworth. Mrs. Carman's father, Sylvester L. Miller was
born in Herkimer county in 1804 and was a merchant at West Walworth for fifty years
and there he died in 1879. He married Charlotte Chase, who was born in 1807 in
Oneida county, and died in 1877.
Clarke, F. Wake, M. D., was born in the town of Ontario, Wayne county, N. Y.
June 1, 1850, the only son of John and Matilda Wake, his mother dying when he was
an infant. He was adopted by his uncle and aunt, John and Mary Wake Clark, from
whom he received the name of Clark. Dr. Clark was reared upon a farm and educated
at the Marion Collegiate Institute and Walworth Academy. In the early part of the
year 1877, he engaged in mercantile business in Williamson, first in partnership with
Lewis R. Rogers, now of Albion, N. Y., until the spring of 1880, when he purchased
Mr. Rogers' interest and conducted the business alone until January 1, 1886, when he
sold out his business to Lofthouse and Norton. In the spring of 1887 he began the
study of medicine with Dr. Peer, of Ontario, and in the fall of the same year he en-
tered the New York Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, from which he grad-
uated with honor, receiving his degree of M. D. April 11, 1890, and in the same year
located in Williamson, where he has since had a very successful practice. Dr. Clark is
a member of the New York State Homeopathic Medical Association, the Western New
York Medical Association, and is past master of Pultneyville Lodge, No. 159, F. and
A. M. On February 18, 1874, he was united in marriage to Mary A., a daughter of
Mason L., and Lydia P. Rogers, of Marion, N. Y. Dr. Clark and wife have had two
children : Roger Wake, born December 6, 1874, a graduate of Marion Collegiate Insti-
tute, class of '94, and Inez M., born August 21, 1879.
Conklin, Clarence, is a son of William, born in the town of Niles, Cayuga county,
October 15, 1827, was educated in the common schools, and his life was spent on a
farm till 1882. February 2, 1852, he married Maria Brinkhoof, and their children
were: Clarence, Laura, Mary, Ida, Ralph, William and Edward. In 1880 he moved to
the town of Bristol, and four years later to Newark, where he established a lumber
business and a box factory, making custom work a specialty The business was in a
very prosperous condition when, in 1892, occurred the fire by which the firm were
heavy losers, it then being William Conklin & Son. After the fire he sold his interest
to his son, Clarence ; the latter married Alice Sheldon, of Cayuga county, and they
have three children : Frank A., Neva M. and C. Leslie. The ancestry of the family on
both sides can be traced to Holland. Jacob, father of William Conklin, was born in
Dutchess county, and the grandfather, John, came to Cayuga county in 1810. Mrs.
Conklin died May 20, 1875, and two daughters are also deceased, Laura and Mary.
Chase, Dr. H. L, was born in Wayne county, January 16, 1853, educated in the
Walworth Academy and studied medicine with Drs. Rose, of Walworth, and Ingraham,
of Palmyra, later entering the office of Professor Hines, of Cleveland, 0. He gradu-
ated from the Union University, in Albany in 1875, and began practice at Macedon,
which he continued till 1890, since which time he has practiced in Palmyra. Lyman,
father of Dr. Chase, came to Walworth, driving from Plattsburg in 1819, with his
father and brothers. He was a cooper by trade, and married Martha Andrew, a na-
tive of Massachusetts. Lyman died in 1864, and his wife in 1880.
38 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Edward Curtis was born in Madison, Madison county, July 17, 1825. His father,
Eli Curtis, was born in Stratford, Conn., in 1781, and died in 1861. His mother,
Hulda (Tyler) Curtis, was also a native of Stratford, and was born in 1790, and died in
1866. They were among the early settlers of Madison, and the street where they set-
tled was named Stratford street, from the name of their native place in Connecticut,
from where the first settlers had emigrated. Eight children were born to Eli and
Hulda Curtis, of which Edward is the youngest living. Of the eight children only one
sister besides now survives. Edward was educated in the common schools and at Au-
gusta Academy. He was favored in being a pupil of David P. Page, first principal of
the State Normal School, at Albany, and heard the lectures: "Theory and Practice of
Teaching," afterwardwards published in a book. David P. Page was one of the ablest
instructors in the State, and no educational work on school-teaching has ever super-
seded his " Theory and Practice of Teaching." To the spirit inculcated and the lessons
taught, in this book, E. Curtis credits largely the success of his forty years of teaching
in the common and union schools. He commenced teaching at the age of seventeen,
soon after receiving a State certificate. His best life energies were given to only five
different schools, save acting as vice-principal of Marion Collegiate Institute. Tn 1845
Mr. Curtis was married to Lura A. Dudley, of Augusta, N. Y., who was born June 21,
1824. She was the daughter of Rev. Ira J. and Laura (Hurd) Dudley, natives of Hart-
ford, Conn., and early settlers of Oneida county. Mr. Dudley died in Madison, Mad-
ison county, January 25, 1881, where his wife now resides, aged ninety years. Mrs. E.
Curtis died suddenly. October 24, 1893. She was well educated, was thoughtful and
discreet, and graced the home sphere as few can. Four children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. E. Curtis: Genevieve, who married Charles E. Allen, in 1875, and died August
18, 1889; Evangeline, who survives her husband, C. Frank Radder, with two sons, Carl
C. and Ray R.; Georgp, who died in Madison county, in infancy, and Rollo D., who
was educated in Yates Polytechnic Institute, and married to Alice M. Platner, of Savan-
nah, in 1885. This family was in the Marion Collegiate Institute four years, excepting
Rollo D, who was publisher of the Jordan Intelligencer, at Jordan, N. Y. In 1880
Rollo D. Curtis sold the Jordan Intelligencer, and in September 24, 1880, assisted by
his father, Edward Curtis, established the Marion Enterprise. This business was pro-
jected that the family might be together. It was not thought to be continued, but so
well has it thrived, latterly, under the firm name of E. Curtis & Son, that to-day it is
considered one of the leading journals of Wayne county. It has a building of its own
and a well equipped office. The Enterprise Building is now almost a land-mark in the
town of Marion. In 1881 the telephone line was built to Marion, chiefly by the ef-
forts of Edward Curtis, and tne telephone office opened in the Enterprise Building
continues under his management.
Croncher, William, born in England (Sussex) February 14, 1830, is a son of Isaac
and Mildred Croncher, natives of England, who came to America in 1845, and to
Marion in 1869, where Mr. Croncher died, June 19, 1881, and his wife January 15,
1878. William followed farming and threshing about forty- five years. He has dealt
quite largely in real estate, but now owns only fifty acres. He bought the Marion
mills in 1884, and has put in the full roller process. He has been a very industrious
man, and by example has educated all his children, except Edward and Fannie, to be
farmers and threshers. October 1, 1853, he married Clara Willie, born June 11, 1827,
a native of England, by whom lie had the following children : Fannie M., born July 15,
185S, who married Albert Smith, by whom she has one child, Jessie; George W.,
manufacturer of cigars at Newark, born August 4, 1860, who married Rose Potter, and
has one child, Altus; Elias D., born July 2, 1S62, traveling for fertilizing company,
who married Annie Eddie, and they have one child, Olive ; Edward W., born April 12,
1865, who learned the millers' trade, and for seven years has been proprietor of Marion
Roller Mills. He is also engaged in the manufacture of amber cane syrup and pepper-
mint oil. He married May, daughter of Abram Garlock ; Ira N., born May 1, 1865,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 39
who has been a traveling salesman, but is now assisting his brother in the mill. Mr
Croncher has a reputation for uprightness and integrity, and has given all his children
academical educations.
Clarke, Sylvester H., was born in Clyde, November 5, 1820. His father, Sylvester
Clarke, was a native of Northampton, Mass., and came to Clyde in the spring of 1817,
where he commenced business as a merchant. The family were from the early settlers
of Massachusetts, and can trace their descent back to the Pilgrim fathers that landed on
Plymouth Rock in December, 1620. Sylvester Clarke, the father, died May 27. 1876,
aged eighty years. The subject of this sketch was partially educated at William
Kirkland',- Boarding School in Geneva, after leaving which he continued his studies at
the Clyde High School, then a new institution, under the able supervision of William
H. Scram as principal and Josiah N. Westcott assistant. At the age of twenty-two
years he became the member of a mercantile establishment in Clyde, under the firm
name Halstead & Clarke, which continued in existence up to 1848. He married. Octo-
ber 17, 1843, Lucy, eldest daughter of Mrs. Sarah Preston, of Geneva, by whom he
had three daughters, all of whom died in infancy. In 1855, while residing at South-
ampton, Mass., he became the private secretary of Hon. Samuel C. Pomeroy, business
agent of the New England Emigrant Aid Company, but since then a United States
senator from the State of Kansas, and removed to Kansas City, Mo., where, through
their office, the towns of Lawrence, Ossawatomie and Topeka, in Kansas territory, were
settled. In 1857 returning to Clyde (the anti-slavery excitement among the settlers of
Kansas, compelling him to do so), he entered the employ of Miller, Rowell & Co., as a
bookkeeper at the Clyde window glass manufactory, after which he held an official
position of fourteen years, under eight collectors, in the New York Custom House,
receiving his appointment from Hon. Hiram Barney, the first collector of the Port of
New York, after Lincoln's election as president. In April, 1875, he returned to Clyde,
and after the death of his father, took possession of a small farm, which has now been
in the Clarke family over seventy-five years. He is at present the regular correspond-
ent of several city dailies, and occasionally writes for magazines, likewise takes an
active interest in Odd Fellowship, the Grange and other society organizations.
Crafts, Alfred P., M.D., was born in 1828, at Cherry Yalley, Otsego county. He was
graduated from Union College, class of '51, and graduating in 1853 from Buffalo Medi-
cal College, he practiced in Sodus and Huron until the exigencies of the war called for
his professional services, and where he was for three years an active assistant surgeon,
in Alexandria and Washington. At the close of the war he located in Wolcott, where
a large medical practice engrossed his attention until his election to the State Legisla-
ture in November, 1879. Dr. Crafts died at Wolcott, December 18, 1880. His widow
whom he married June 9; 1853, is a daughter of the late Dr. Levi Gaylord, of Sodus.
Carr, Robert S., M.D., was born in Seneca, Ontario county, N. Y., June 22, 1856,
and is the son of Stephen and Margaret McGregor Carr, he a native of England, and
she of Scotland, who came to Canandaigua in 1851. Mr. Carr was a farmer by occupa-
tion, and died in 1863 in Michigan, where he had resided five years. His wife resides
in East Bloomfield, Ontario county, N. Y. The subject of this sketch was educated in
the common schools and Canandaigua Academy, and Cornell University. He then
studied medicine with Dr. S. R. Wheeler at East Bloomfield one year, and entered the
medicical department of the University of Buffalo, from which he gratuated in 1889.
He went to Pultneyville the same year and practiced until 1893, when he came to
Williamson, where he has since had a successful practice. He is health officer of
Williamson. He is a member of I. 0. 0. F., Acme Lodge, No. 469, Newburg, N. Y.,
and of K. O. T. M., of Williamson. In 1892 Dr. Carr married Anna L. Nye, of Will-'
iamson, daughter of Benona and Lavina Nye.
Corning, Col. Joseph W., was born in Yarmouth, N, S., in 1814, and removed to
Rochester with his parents in 1823. In 1834 he was elected captain of a military com-
lu LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
pany in Waterloo. In 1841 he was appointed postmaster of Ontario, Wayne county,
by President William Henry Harrison, serving four years. In 1847 he removed to
Palmyra. After spending three years in California, he returned to Palmyra, where he
studied law, being admitted to the bar in 1855. He also held the offices of justice of
the peace, police magistrate, mayor of Palmyra, and other positions of trust. In 1860
he was elected to represent his district in the State Assembly. Immediately upon ad-
journment he returned to his home and organized a company for the war. His pro-
motion was rapid, and when the famous 33d Regiment was mustered out in 1863, he
was the lieutenant-colonel. He was with his regiment in all its engagements. In the
battle of Williamsburg, Col. Coming's brilliant charge saved the day. He then joined
the 111th Regiment, with which he served a year, when Governor Fenton requested
his return home to organize another regiment. He was commissioned a colonel of the
194th, the last regiment organized in this State. Shortly after Benjamin Harrison was
inaugurated president, Col. Coining received the appointment of postmaster at Pal-
myra, which position he held at his death, June 29, 1890, when bis widow, Louisa U.
Corning, was appointed by the president to succeed him.
Corning, John W., was born in Ontario, this county, September 8, 1841, and moved
to Palmyra with his parents at the age of six, and received his education in the Palmyra
Union School. He had commenced his third year as teacher in the Palmyra Union
School, when the war broke out, when he resigned and enlisted in Company B, 33d
N. Y. Volunteers, and left for the front Jul}' 6, 1861. In November, 1861, he was
commissioned second lieutenant of said company, and in May, 1862, promoted to first
lieutenant. In November, 1862, he was made adjutant of the 33d, which position he
held when mustered out with the regiment June 2, 1863, on account of expiration of
term of service. He was with his company and regiment in all their engagements in
the Peninsular campaign. He was the only officer with his company during McClel-
lan's seven days' retreat to Harrison's Landing. Upon reaching the James River, Sec-
retary of War Stanton ordered him to New York State to recruit men for his depleted
company, in which he was met with a hearty response. During the winter of 1862 he
was adjutant-general of his brigade, and went with the brigade to Fredericksburg
under Gen. Burnside, where the Army of the Potomac, being stuck in the mud, was
obliged to return to White Oak Church and go in winter quarters. On Sunday morn-
ing, May 3, 1863, the order came to charge up the heights of Fredericksburg. He and
his father (who was in command of the 33d) went up, mounted, and upon gaining the
heights, his father's horse was shot from under him. The two days' fighting, May 3
and 4, Company B lost more men than they had in the entire two years' service. After
being mustered out, he was connected with the pay department in paying troops in the
Army of the Potomac. November 9, 1864, he married Katharine Drake, daughter of
the late Nelson Drake, and has two daughters, Delia M. and Grace J. Mr. Corning
was appointed collector of canal tolls at Palmyra for two successive years, and was in
mercantile business for ten years. In January, 1877", he was elected sergeant-at-arms,
New York State Senate, to which position he was elected four times, serving eight
years. In 1882, after passing civil service examination, he was appointed examiner in
the United States appraiser's department, New York, which position he held for five
years. In 1888 the secretary of the United States treasuary appointed him deputy
surveyor, Port of New York, which position he still holds.
Cheetham, Richard N., was born in London, England, October i6, 1846, and is the
son of John and Mary Cheetham, of England, who came to Sodus in 1852, where they
now reside. Mr. Cheetham enlisted in Company E, 98th N. Y. Volunteer Infantry and
served a year and a half and re-enlisted in Company K, 97th N. Y. Volunteer Infantry,
and served two years. Our sobjecl was reared on a farm, educated in the common
schools and then learned the carpenter trade and followed it for eleven years, in
Williamson. He had worked at carriage making two years previously. In 1881 he and
FAMILY SKETCHES. 41
his brother. George F., bought out Alfred Bakeley's hardware business and have since
conducted it under the firm name of R. M. Cheetham & Co. They also engaged in
the banking business in 1893 and have had a successful year. Mr. Cheetham and wife
are members of the Methodist Church In 1871 Mr. Cheetham married Eliza E. Smith,
of Williamson, daughter of Robert Smith, one of the earliest settlers of the town,
who died in 1893.
Crandall, F. G-., editor and proprietor of The Wayne County Dispatch, born at Pal-
myra, July 17, 1863, was educated in the common and high schools of that town ; and
learned the printer's trade in the office of The Wayne County Journal. He conducted
a job printing office during 1882-83 for F. W. demons, and then established one for
himself January 16, 1885. September 21, 1892, The Dispatch was founded by Mr.
Crandall, as proprietor, and A. F. Du Bois as editor. The publication is an eight-column
folio, Republican in politics ; is the only newspaper in the county setting all of its own
matter, and, among other prominent features, makes a specialty of county correspond-
ence, devoting each week about five columns to this class of news. February 14, 1892,
Mr. Crandall married Miss Mary Bearss, of Rochester. He is a member of Zenobia
Commandery No. 41, K. T. ; Phil Sheridan Lodge No. 430, I. 0. 0. F. ; Palmyra Tent No.
118, K. 0. T. M. ; Ganargua Tribe No. 143, I. 0. R. M. ; and Palmyra Steamer and Hose
Company No. 1. Mr. Du Bois was born at Fairville, N. Y., March 25, 1872, where the first
four years of his life were spent. His father then dying, the family, consisting of a mother
and four children, removed to Huntsburgh, 0., afterwards locating at Newark, N. Y.,
where the subject of this sketeh was educated in the Union School and Academy. After
learning the printing business in the office of the Newark Union, he, in July, 1891,
assumed the associate editorship of the Palmyra Democrat. Resigning this position he
became editor of The Dispatch at its inception, retaining the position two years. In
September, 1893, Mr. Dubois began a two years' journalistic course of study in the
University of Rochester.
Chapin, Joseph R., was born in Huron in 1846, and is the son of Harlow Chapin, of
Huron, born in 1822, whose father was Spencer Chapin, a farmer and native of Massa-
chusetts, the son of Phineas Chapin, of the same place, who came to Huron in 1811
with his family and was killed by the fall of a tree the same year. The wife of Harlow
Chapin was Fannie Reed, and their children were Spencer E., Joseph R., Charles E.,
Frank H., Ella L., wife of Rev. Mather Gafney, of Manlius, N. Y., Edgar W. Harlow,
and Fanny. When twenty-one our subject began farming and from 1874 to 1878 he was
interested in a stave and barrel factory. He makes berries his special crop at present.
In 1868 he married Fanny J., daughter of Lorenzo and Almira Cady, of Huron, who
was born in 1846, and their children are Mattie E., born February, 1873; May A.,
born May, 1876; Joseph C, born in May, 1878; Grace C, born in December, 1879;
Stephen L., born in May, 1882, and Harvy S., born in August, 1884. Our subject
served as town clerk three terms, and as highway commissioner one term. In 1879 he
purchased the farm of seventy- one acres, on which he now resides.
Creque, Hermon C, is decended from one of the oldest and most distinguished of la
noblesse families of France. Baudoin de Crequy was knighted in 1190, and the family
record of meritorious services rendered through subsequent centuries to civilization, the
state, and the church, are preserved by France as a national trust and honor. The
family has furnished two eminent " Marshals of France," one " Constable of France,'' one
" Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church," one "Archbishop of Paris," and many less
important state and church dignitaries. Hermon C. is a direct descendent of Francois
de Blanchefort Crequy, marshal of France, who commanded the army of France when
it defeated the Duke of Lorraine and added the provinces of Lorraine and Alsace to
the domain of France. He was the "Bismarck" of his time and country, the intimate
friend of Louis XV., whose private chaplain conducted his obsequies in 1687. His por-
f
42 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
trait is numbered 1419 in"Des Galleries Historiques de Versailles," France. John
Creque, the father of Htrmon 0., was one of the largest pioneer manufacturers of Cen-
tral New York, and at his extensive agricultural and machine shops in Trumansburg,
Tompkins county, N. Y., were made great numbers of threshing machines, plows, por-
table horse powers, corn shellers, horse rakes, harrows, kitchen and parlor stoves, etc.,
etc., and as a dealer he early bought and introduced into Tompkins county the various
makes of leapers, mowers, grain drills, etc., etc. He was an acknowledged power for
good in social, religious, political and business life. Hermon C. was born at Trumans-
burg, Tompkins county, N. Y., in 1816. In 1838 he married Mabel, daughter of Allen
Pease, thus keeping up the practice which had been followed for centuries by members
these two noblesse families of intimate social relations and frequent intermarriage.
He began his business career as a manufacturer of carriages, and was very successful.
In 1852 he purchased over a hundred acres of choice land near Wolcott village, Wayne
county, N. Y., and removed there. He was the principal organizer of the first Temper-
ance society formed in Wolcott village. He was a liberal contributor to the erection of
Leavenworth Academy in Wolcott village and subsequently liberally patronized and
helped to sustain it. He purchased and used upon his farm the first grain drill and also
the first mower and reaper employed in eastern Wayne county, and by becoming an
agent for their sale he introduced the use of a number of said implements into Wolcott
and adjoining townships. He built and resided in the first large '"pine house " erected
in Wayne county, bringing the pine lumber from Tompkins county, N. Y., by lake and
canal to Clyde, N. Y., and trucking it thence to Wolcott. He erected a brick store
building on Main street, Wolcott village, which is still used for business purposes ; also
the " Opera House Block " on Main street, which he still owns. He has been a Repub-
lican since the organization of that political party and in religion professes the Protest-
ant faith as expounded by the Presbyterian Church. He has a family of eight children
living, one of whom has been the largest manufacturer in his line in this conntry and is
acknowledged to be the foremost sanitary plumbing engineer in the civilized world.
His lectures before eminent scientific and prominent industrial art associations are con-
sidered authoritative upon their respective subjects. Hermon C. has conclusively proved
in many ways that he is not a degenerate son of noble sires, but beside his own useful
life he has evidently transmitted to posterity the unblemished family character, aspira-
tions, talents, and persistent energy inherited from his forefathers and which are des-
tined to maintain the excellent record already richly merited.
Dunham, Henry, is the son of John and Sally (Ketchum) Dunham. The former was
born in Fabius, Onondaga county, October 21, 1791, and the latter in Manlius, Sep-
tember 22, 1793, and came to Savannah in 1833, occupying what is now the home of
our subject. Of their seven children, six are living: Henry, Melinda. Betsey, Mary O,
Jerry and Erastus, one son, J. Harvey, having died some years ago. The three daugh-
ters are married and live in Michigan, being all residents of Kent county in that State.
Henry's boyhood was spent in Camillus, Onondaga county. He wa« born October 3,
1820, and married February 7, 1847, Laura A., daughter of Seth Wood, of Savannah.
She had no children, and died May 3, 1882, an earnest Christain, a loving and devoted
wife, her loss is yet felt and mourned. Erastus Dunham has spent his whole life at
this home, where he was born in 1838. He remains a bachelor, is a man of much
ability and force of character, but for more than twenty years has been an invalid,
crippled by a spinal complaint. February 4, 1883, Henry again married. His present
wife is Mary E., daughter of Abram O'Neil, of Fairport, N. Y. She has no children.
Mr. Dunham's farm contains 175 acres of excellent land, situated five miles northeast
of Savannah. His specialty has been the breeding of Merino sheep, in which his suc-
cesss has been marked.
Dunham, Mrs. Laura Ann, was born in Steuben county June 23, 1826, and was the
daughter of Seth Wood, of Savannah, where she resided until her death, May 3, 1882.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 43
She was married to Henry Dunham February 7, 1847, and lived an exemplary Chris-
tian life. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Protestant church and deeply
devoted to the cause of the Master. She was enshrined in the hearts of those who
knew her best, and had their respect and confidence. She was that earnest in her
work of faith that the power of God was demonstrated to the peoople while she was in
travail of soul for the salvation of sinners. When burdened for souls she would wrestle
for hours with God until victory turned on Israel's side, and the joy and peace that fol-
lowed was unspeakable and full of glory. As she lived so she died, in the triumphs of
a living: faith.
De Lamater. George C, was born in Columbia county, N. Y., in 1828, the fourth
born of the eight children of Stephen V. R. and Esther De Lamater. Stephen settled
on a farm in Butler in 1829, and ten years later moved to Wolcott, where he died in
1889, aged eighty-eight years. For twenty years George De Lamater operated a grain
threshing outfit, besides farming and fruit growing. In 1858 he purchased of Andrew
Preston the saw mill at North Wolcott, which he still runs. He has been excise com-
missioner, also of highways. His wife, who died in 1890, had been his companion for
over thirty years, and was Mary J. Robinson, of Huron. He still lives a single life.
Dehond, Abram F., was born in Williamson, May 3, 1864, and is the son of Abra-
ham and Jeanette Dehond, natives of Holland, who came to Rochester in 1854, and to
Williamson in 1857, where they now reside. Mr. Dehond is a farmer and raises fruit.
Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He worked
for O. J. Tassell as clerk for one year, and then for 0. J. & F. W. Tassell for two years,
and then clerked for Tassell & Gordon until 1887, when he worked for a year and a
half for F. H. Gordon, and then formed a partnership with him, which has continued
for six years. He is a member of the Pultneyville Lodge, No. 159, F. & A. M.
August 30, 18S8. he married Anna Adams, a native of Williamson, and daughter of
John Adams.
Dickie, James, was born in Connecticut. February 14, 1830. His father, John Dickie
who came to Constantia, Oswego county, in 1836, was a native of Scotland, and emi-
grated to this country in 1827. He spent the larger portion of his life in Constantia,
Oswego county, where he died in 1856 at the age of seventy-five years. James Dickie
selected farming for an occupation and followed it up to 1874, and then came to Clyde
and established himself in business. He carries a selected line of imported and domes-
tic groceries. At the age of thirty Mr. Dickie married Miss Sybil Daffler, of Constantia.
Mrs. Dickie died in 1890 at fifty-eight years of age. She was a woman who was widely
known for her Christian character and beautiful life.
Down, George A., was born in Webster, Monroe county, August 30, 1847, the fourth
child of eight children born to John and Lavina Down, the former a native of Eng-
land, and the latter of New Hampshire. He came to Monroe county when a young
man and started for himself, then came to Ontario and spent most of his life in that
town. He now resides at Marion with his son, Edwin O., at the age of eighty, and his
wife at the same age. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common
schools. He was in the furnace business from 1872 to 1877, when he sold, and April 3,
1879, came on the farm he now owns of seventy-eight acres, and follows general farm-
ing. He was a Democrat, but at present is a Republican. He has been school trustee
two years, and is a member of Webster Lodge No. 538, F. & A. M. He married in
1S80 Cornelia M. Stearns, a native of Webster, by whom he has one child, George M.
Mr. Down has been junior deacon, senior master of ceremonies, and junior warden.
Donk, August, was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, January 20, 1843. His father
came to the United States in 1851. Mr. Donk came with his mother the following
year when nine years old. They first located in Sodus one year, then went to Pal-
44 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
myra, where they remained ten years. In 1862 the family came to Newark. Mr.
Donk was educated at East Palmyra, and has been in the employ of the N. Y. C. & H.
R. R. company since the close of the war, first as baggage man, and afterward had
charge of the pumping engine at the depot. In February, 1872, he was appointed
station agent, which position he still fills. July 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company A,
111th Infantry N. Y. S. Volunteers, was captured at Harper's Ferry under General
Miles, duly paroled and exchanged. He was in the battle of Gettysburg and the
Wilderness. While on the way to Cold Harbor was taken prisoner, was in Anderson
prison, Georgia, four months and a half, in Florence, South Carolina, three months, and
was a mere skeleton upon his arrival home. He was honorably discharged at the close
of the war in June, 1865. He has married twice, first in 1867 to Jane Morrison, of
Brighton, Canada, and they had one son, William, who died at the age of ten. Mrs.
Donk died in January, 1875, and he married second April 27, 1877, MattieE. Toussaint,
who was born in Oswego. They have three children : Elizabeth A.. James and
Madahne. Mr. Donk's father, Carl, was born in Germany in 1802. He married Hannah
Eickhoff. of his native place, and they had nine children. Mrs. Donk's father, Oliver
Toussaint, was born on Wells Island, Orleans, Jefferson ccunty, in 1829. He married
Elizabeth Ashton, of Oswego, and they had three children, Frederick, Mattie E., and
Elner. He died in 1867 and his wife in 1874. Mrs Donk has been in the employ of
the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. company twenty- one years as ticket agent. Mr. Carl Donk
died in 1873 and his wife in 1892. Mr. Donk is a member of Newark Lodge No. 83,
F. and A. M., and of Yosburg Post No. 99, G. A. R., department of New York. Mrs.
Donk is a member of the Women's Relief Corps.
Demmon, John Watkins, was born in 1833. His father was Horace Demmon, born in
Springfield, Vt., in 1803, the son of Daniel Demmon, born in 1768. In 1817 they came
to Huron and settled on the farm owned by our subject. Daniel died in 1824, and his
son Horace conducted the farm for seventy-four years, dying in 1891. His wife was
Rachael M. Richardson, and their children were : Clarissa A., Hannah C, John W. and
Delia A. John W. was educated at Red Creek Academy and Falley Seminary, entered
the office of L. D. Lawton, in 1854, and in January, 1856, the Albany Law School at Al-
bany, N. Y., and emigrated the following Fall to Wisconsin ; represented for two years
the Milwaukee Mutual, and Wisconsin Home Fire Insuarnce companies of that State,
and the then territory of Minnesota; in December, 1858, represented the publishing
house of J. H. Cotton & Co., 172 William street, New York, in Georgia and South
Carolina; and the following year shipped horses to those States. In 1863 he married
Lucinda J. Smedley. daughter of Rev. Joseph and Mary Ann (Jones) Smedley, of Os-
wego county, who was born in 1838, and by whom he had two children : Lena E., born
1865, and Horace Gary, born 1869. Mr. Demmon and wife are members of the Wol-
cott Grange, P. of H. No. 348, also a member of Rose Lodge No. 590, F. and A. M.,
and Ontario Shore No. 495, I. 0. 0. F. In 1877, under the auspices of the W. C. T. U.,
occupied thep'atform for the gospel temperance work in the States of New York, Penn-
sylvania, Wisconsin, and Iowa, and was grand lecturer of the Royal Templars of Tem-
perance in 1880-1-2. He was for a part of a season on the platform with Col. A. S.
Wood, of Wolcott.
David, William Glenn (deceased), was born in Amherst, N. H., June 12, 1831, was
fitted for college at Phillips Academy, entering Williams College in 1848, and graduated
in 1852. Selecting the profession of medicine, he graduated from Harvard Medical Col-
ge in 1854, and then removed to Dubuque, la. In October, 1855, he married Sarah M.,
daughter of Newell Taf t, of Lyons, and they are the parents of four sons, three of whom
are now living: William G. and John, of New York, and Edward T., of Glenrock,
Wyoming. In 1859 he removed to Lyons from Dubuque and entered into partnership
witn Dr. E. W. Bothume. In 1861 he entered the United States army, receiving the
commission of surgeon to the 98th Regiment, U. S. Volunteers, and took part in the
FAMILY SKETCHES. 45
campaign in Virginia, the battle of the Wilderness, Richmond, White Oak Swamp, and
numerous other engagements. He was promoted to brigade surgeon at the capture of
Port Hudson, and afterwards was post surgeon at that place. Returning to Lyons in
1865, at the close of the war, he resumed the practice of his profession. In 1867 he was
appointed examining surgeon in the United States pension cases, holding this position
at the time of his death, August 17, 1877.
Dutcher, John, one of the oldest residents of Red Creek, came to this vicinity in 1830,
He was born at Lysander, Onondaga county, in 1819. He is the son of Daniel Dutcher.
who, in 1830, bought 270 acres of land, and with the assistance of his two sons, John
and Daniel W., grappled with the primeval forest and reclaimed over 100 acres of ara-
ble land, meantime rearing a family of nine children. Mr. Dutcher now owns and oc-
cupies 120 acres of the original tract.
Davis, Barnet H., was born in Fonda, Montgomery county, January 27, 1836. He is
a member of the firm of B. H. Davis & Co., dealers in drugs and groceries, having occu-
pied his present location for the past thirty years. He is now a member of the State
Committee, and occupied a seat in the Legislature during the years 1886-87-88. In
1860 Mr. Davis married Alida Agnes Van Edena, a native of Spraker's Basin, and they
have one daughter.
Davis, Rev. Daniel D., of Savannah, was born in Butler, August 24, 1824. Paul H.
Davis, born in Rhode Island in 1791, and Polina Westcott, his wife, born in Richfield,
Otsego county, in 1798 (the parents of Daniel D.), moved to Butler, Wayne countv,
N. Y., about the year 1815, and in the wilderness purchased a farm, upon which they
erected a log house and commenced life, consequently were among the first settlers in
Wayne county, N. Y. To this heroic couple were born six children, who grew to
man and womanhood, namely : William V., Lucy A., Oliver O, Daniel D., Jerome B.,
and John Wesley Davis. Grappling with the realities of frontier life, these parents
were only able to give their children little more than a district school education. Reli-
giously the parents were Episcopal Methodists, and, sooner or later, the children were
all converted and became members of the church of their honored parents. The father
died in 1845, and the mother in 1846. November 10, 1845, Daniel D. Davis married
Laura Henderson, of Butler, an estimable Christian lady. To them were born two
daughters: Pauline S., born July 10, 1847, who married Rev. C. L. Connell, of James-
ville, Onondaga county, N. Y., Pauline S. died at Rosevalley, July 25, 1878; Carrie,
V. Davis, born October 4, 1855, married in 1881 John Mojg, of Euclid, Onondaga
county, N. Y., who now resides in Englewood, 111. Daniel D. Davis followed farming
until 1861, when at the call of the master, he left all (like the fisherman of Gallilee) to
preach the Gospel, and for thirty-one consecutive years has been an honored member
of the Central New York Conference (Methodist Episcopal Church). In 1892 Mrs.
Davis's health partially failed, and Mr. Davis took a supernumerary edition to the Con-
ference, and for the past two years has engaged in Evangelistic woik, for which he
evinces decided talents.
Deuchler, Louis, was born in Alsace, Germany, August 25, 1834, came to the United
States in 1852, and settled in Syracuse. In 1856 he removed to Lyons, in 1861 estab-
lished the grocery business on Water street, and in 1863 sold out and went to New
York, remaining for two years. In 1865 he returned to Lyons and bought the National
Hotel, continuing the business up to 1885, then engaged in the insurance business,
making a specialty of fire insurance and is agent for several lines of foreign steamships.
In 1887 he was elected justice of the peace and in 1891 was re-elected to the same
office, which he now hold«. In 1888-89 was elected trustee of the village. At the age
of twenty-four he married Magdalena, daughter of George Seligman, of Lyons, and
they are the parents of one daughter, Mrs. Bertha Klippel. Our subject takes an
40 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
active interest in educational and religious matters, having been trustee in the First
German church for eight years.
Daboll, Homer, was born in Canaan, Litchfield county, Corn., July 18, 1827. His
father, Jonathan Daboll, was a native of Windsor, Conn., and in 1810 made his home
in Canaan, where Homer, the youngest of five children, had such advantages as private
and common schools afforded until at the age (f sixteen, when his parents moved to
Center Groton, Conn., where he received instruction in surveying and navigation at
the celebrated Nautical School of that place, then under the supe vision of Nathan
Daboll and his son, David A., authors of Daboll's Arithmetic and other mathematical
works. Professor Potter, of Mystic. Conn., was his next instructor, after which he
engaged for a number of years in teaching. In 1853 he married Jane R. Shear, of
Junius, N. Y., and as a farmer settled near Cayuga village, where they resided four-
teen years. Here their children were born, De Lancey, who died in 1873 ; Phoebe,
now Mrs. A. D. Bacon, of Rochester- Homer F., now manager of the farm, and
Sheridan, of Rochester. In 1867 he purchased the farm of 150 acres on which he
lives and where to date he has enjoyed the friendship of a numerous acquaintance.
De Zutter, Cornelius, was born in Holland, May 16, 1841, son of Edward and Susan
(Van Dixon) De Zutter, natives of Holland, where Mr. De Zutter died in 1847, and his
wife and two children, Cornelius and Leonard, came to Sullivan county in 1848. Mrs.
De Zutter married Conner Devoe, came to Williamson in 1853 and resided here until
her death in August, 1888. Mr. Devoe died June, 1891. The great-grandfather of
our subject, Cornelius, was a native of France, and grandfather was a native of
Holland, and died there in 1848. Our subject was reared on a farm until fourteen
years of age, when he went to Rochester and engaged as clerk for John Vandenburg
in a fancy store, where he remained three years, and worked one year in a cotton
factory. There he and his brother became partners in the manufacture of willow
ware. In the spring of 1866 they returned to Williamson and continned in the
willow ware business until 1871, when it was destroyed by fire, without any insurance.
They again commenced in business, but after one year was dissolved. In 1872 our
subject engaged in buying and selling produce, and continued in business until 1876,
when he was employed by H. J. Mdler and Sprague, and in 1877, with Mr. Gordon,
established a general store, the firm being known as De Zutter & Gordon, and in 1891
our subject, Cornelius, retired, when the firm became De Zutter Bros. & Engleson.
They also have a clothing store on the opposite side of the street in what is known as
the Rogers block. Mr. De Zutter is a member of the Pultneyville Lodge, No. 159, F.
and A. M., also a member of A. 0. U. W. Mr. De Zutter married, December 29, 1864,
Larinia Decker, of Rochester, a daughter of Abram Decker, a native of Holland, who
in 1850 came to Williamson. He died in Rochester in 1877, and his wife in 1875.
Our subject and wife had five children : Edward A. and Charles (now members of the
firm); Jennie E., who died aged twenty-two years; Ida M., who assists in her father's
store ; and Delia, who lives at home. Our subject and family are members of the
Presbyterian church, and Mr. De Zutter has been a Republican since the organization
of the party and an active worker in the party for the past twenty-five years.
Leonard De Zutter was born in Holland, February 2, 1844, and came to Sullivan
county with his mother and brother when three years of age; he came to Williamson
in 1853. He and brother, Cornelius, engaged in the manufacture of willow and rattan
ware, and were in partnership in 1872, when they dissolved. He engaged in mercantile
business in 1877. He is a member of A. O. U. W. and Select Knights. Mr. De
Zutter married in 1867 Susan Van Zandt, a native of Holland, and a daughter of
Peter and Lucinda Van Zandt. They had four children : Lucy S., wife of Carl Fuller,
of Wallington; Edward L., who died, aged twenty-two; Peter, who is employed in a
clothing store, and Lizzie, who died, aged eighteen months.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 47
Denison, Porter G. (deceased), was born at North Stephentown, Rensselaer county,
February 19, 1825. His father, George T., was a native of Stonington, Conn. The
family are lineal descendants of the titled families of English and Scotch extraction.
In 1840 he removed to North Berlin and in 1850 came to Clyde and engaged in the
mercantile business, which he continued up to the time of his death, March 21, 1890.
September 30, 1852, he married Mary B., daughter of James H. Nichols, who' was a
native of Bainbridge, Chenango county, and they had three children;' Carrie A.,
Porter G., and Charles E. Our subject was one of the leading men of his town, identi-
fied in every public enterprise, benevolent and charitable.
Denney, Loren, was born in Onondaga county September 24, 1835, the second child
of a family of four children born to John and Almira Denney, natives of Dutchess
county. They came to Wayne county in 1843 and settled in Williamson. The father
died in Ontario in 1875, where the mother now resides, aged seventv-nine years. Our
subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He has always
been a farmer, owns forty acres of land, and follows general farming and fruit raising.
He enlisted in 1862 in Company B, 9th Heavy Artillery, participated in the battles of
Cold Harbor, Winchester, Cedar Creek, and served until the close of the war. He mar-
ried, December 31, 1861, Mary Sanders, a native of Williamson, and daughter of Joseph
and Thursey (Stowell) Sanders, he a native of Nova Scotia, and she a native of Oneida
county. They came to town when young, where he died January 1, 1883, and she
March 11, 1893. Our subject and wife have had two children : Nora A., wife of Fred.
Smouton, and has one child ; Merton E., at home. Mr. Denney is a Republican, is a
member of the A. 0. U. W., Ontario Lodge, and G. A. R., Myron M. Fish Post No. 406
and Ontario Grange.
Devereaux, Albert F., was born in Rensselaer county October 29, 1832. His great-
grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution, coming to America with La Fayette's
French troops, and soon after the close of the war settled on the Van Rensselaer " Pat-
ent." The son, and then the grandson, Stephen Devereaux (father of Albert F.), oc-
cupied the same lands, in succession, improving the land, but being subject to annually
paying the rents, which though not excessive were generally considered illegal, giving
rise to very much bitter feeling, culminating in the anti-rent war, in which the Dever-
eauxs and relatives were divided, some donning the Indian suits of the anti-renters and
others supporting the continuance of the patroon estates. The childhood and youth
of Albert F. was spent in this somewhat fettered and unsatisfactory farming, a phase
of monopoly. But in 1839 Stephen Devereaux moved to Wayne county, south of
Clyde, with his family, a wife and nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch
was the eldest. The Reuben Smith farm, now owned by M. B. Syron, adjoining Al-
bert F.'s present farm, was purchased. At the age of twenty-one "Albert F. went to
Michigan to make his fortune, having received a common school education and assisted
his father faithfully during the years of minority. With $60.12, his total capital, he
went to Battle Creek, Mich., and there engaged in work in building the Michigan Cen-
tral Railroad, afterwards taking up wild land near Grand Rapids and immediately after
another lot of land, partly improved and containing a cranberry marsh in Oakland
county. This he sold to his father, inducing all the family to move to Michigan. In
looking up and locating land Albert F. traversed much of the then wilds of central
Michigan afoot and by boat, and was on the grounds of Lansing, Ionia, Marshall,
Owasso, and other cities when they were merely straggling settlements. After a time
he embarked in buying Michigan cranberries and shipping to Albany, N. Y. Then re-
maining in the vicinity of Albany a short time he came to Galen in 1850 and married
Mary E., daughter of Stephen Hull. They have two sons, Willard L. and Stephen H.
In 1862 he bought the Stephen Hull property of 108 acres. In 1880 he bought the ad-
joining property of 100 acres of Jeremiah Mead, and in 1885 fifty acres of woodland in
lot 74 along Clyde river. In 1852 he was the foremost of three planters in Galen, per-
is LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
haps the first in Wayne county to engage in tobacco growing. This he continued in
for thirteen years. So little was known about the " weed " that one of the three, Mr.
Harvey Streeter, exhibited growing plants at the Galen Fair, receiving the first premium.
These very plants and the whole of his seeding that year proved to be nothing but
mullin plants. Albert F. was the earliest extensive planter of wine grapes and manu-
facturer of wines and brandy in New York State. Beginning in 1856, before the
Pleasant Valley, Hudson River and Chautauqua grape and wine districts were founded,
he began producing wines for medicinal and sacramental purposes, of warranted purity,
and has established a name continuing with his trade to this day for these goods, known
inmost of the States of the Union. He was the first grower and seller of Niagara
grapes in Wayne county. Mr. Devereaux is, withal, a devoted agriculturist, never for
even a year relinquishing his attachment to farming, always aiming to grow the finest
crops and ardently taking up the many and varied tasks of land improvement. His
home farm holds a large sum of costly farm land engineering in the removal of every
rock, stones and obstructions, the laying of miles of tile drainage, stone walls, and other
fencing. Large areas have been filled in and sharp knolls graded down, clay soils mixed
with sand and gravel and large cuttings made for the outlet of water into the river. A
number of handsome farm buildings have also been erected. Mr. Devereaux has been
a landmarker and has made his farm a landmark in the town. He was president of the
Galen Agricultural Society for three years. Mr. Devereaux was also one of the organ-
izers of the present Baptist Church, of Clyde, was elected trustee then and has been
re-elected at the expiration of each term until the present time.
Edgett, the late Ezra A., was born in Greene county, November 21. 1828. His
parents came to Oneida county when he was twelve years old, where he was educated
in the public and select schools. The family came to this county in March, 1865. Mr.
Edgett was an excellent business man. He was at the head of the company in con-
ducting the Wayne County Preserving Company. At his death his wife succeeded him
in the business in company with E. K. Burnham. December 16, 1856, he married
Harriet C. Marvin, of Camden, Oneida county, and they had four children : James C,
who was well educated, and was brought up in the business with his father. He mar-
ried Anna L. Wilcox, of Port Gibson, Ontario county, and they have one son, Oliver;
Edith M. married William R. Conover, and resides in Boston, they have one daughter,
Halla; Mary L. resides with her mother; and George, who died in infancy. Mr.
Edgett died January 30, 1889, mourned by a bereaved wife and children, and many
friends.
Eldridge, Lewis, was born in Penfield, Monroe couuty, in 1837, where he lived till the
age of twenty-five, then, in 1862, married Betsey A. Goodwin, of Penfield, a native of
England, born in 1840. who came to this country at about the age of twelve with her
parents, Eli and Mary, who located in Monroe county, and afterwards in Walworth,
where the mother died, and where the father still lives. Mr. Eldridge settled on a farm
in Penfield, purchased by his father in 1816. The grandfather of our subject, William
Eldridge, was with Washington as his aide-de-camp all during the Revolution. He was
born near Salem, N. Y., and died at Penfield. Erastus, the father of Lewis, was born
in Washington county, and died at Penfield in 1863. His wife was Anna (Watson)
Eldridge. a native of Maine, who also died at Penfield. Lewis resided on the home
farm about three years after his marriage. He resided in Marion four years also, then
located on the farm, where he now resides, in Palmyra. This place consists of 118
acres, and he also owns 101 acres near by. He married Betsey A. Goodwin, and their
children are : Charles A., and Carrie A. (twins), who now reside in Monroe county ;
Perinton, now Mrs. J. Crane, of Marion ; Fred D., of Palmyra ; Anna E., now Anna E.
Miller, of Marion; Smith E., who died in childhood; Edward E. ; Arthur L. ; and
May L.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 49
Edgerton, W. W., supervisor of Palmyra, is a native of Saratoga county, N. Y., born
December 13, 1819. In 1829 he came to this town, where he lived with his uncle,
Oliver Durfee, until the age of twenty-three, when he married and lived in the town of
Marion on a farm for two years. This he sold, and then resided in Orleans county for
four years, and then in the town of Ontario, Wayne county. From 1854 to 1884 he
lived in Walworth, then came to his present residence, about three-quarters of a mile
north of the village of Palmyra. He also owns a farm of 105 acres in Williamson. Mr.
Edgerton has served Walworth five terms as supervisor, Palmyra three years as assessor,
and as supervisor two terms. In 1842 he married Louisa Pratt, who died in 1843. His
second marriage was with Calista Avery, of Palmyra, a daughter of Caleb and Abigail
(Cole) Avery, and their children are: Arrebell E., now Mrs. Rose, of New York city;
C. Avery, who graduated from the Cleveland Homoeopathic Medical College, practiced
in Churchville, near Rochester, four years, and died June 11, 1880. He was born
August 24, 1849, and married a daughter of Alfred Miller, by whom he had one child,
Melvm G., born August 30, 1859, now a physician of Canastota, also a graduate of the
Cleveland Homoeopathic Medical College. He married A. Nettie Blair, of Cleveland,
Ohio, who died May 10, 1883, and his second wife was Maude, youngest daughter of
Hon. Loring C. Fowler, of Canastota, N. Y.
Earley, James, is the son of Michael and Anne (Riley) Earley, of County Westmeath,
Ireland, where he was born May 24, 1837. In 1853 the ship Columbia landed him in
New York, without capital, save health, good habits, and energy. After ten years
spent in farm labor, chiefly in Onondaga county, he bought in 1863 a small farm in
Butler, having married, April 20, 1862, Alice, daughter of Patrick Kennedy, of Savan-
nah. He came to Savannah in 1866, and owns a farm of 136 acres. Their children
are : Michael, born in 1863, now a bookkeeper at Hoosick Falls, who married Olive
Worden, of that place ; Edward, born in 1864, who married Julie, daughter of John
Davis, of Savannah, who conducts a farm adjacent to that of his father ; and James,
born in 1866, a bookkeeper for the Wood Machine Company at St. Paul, Minn. They
have also a daughter by adoption, Agnes M. Keeley, of Red Creek, adopted in 1875 at
the age of three, and now the wife of George Delaney, of Seneca Falls. Mr. Earley en-
listed with the 15th New York Engineers in 1864, and served till the close of the war.
He is now a prime mover and leader in the cause of Prohibition.
Ennis, Charles (deceased), was born in Alloway, September 1, 1835. His grand-
father, William, came from New Jersey in 1806, and bought a tract of land in the
southern part of Lyons, known as the Squire Parks farm. His father, Robert Ennis,
was a prominent contractor, and in 1847 bought the Captain Towar residence and saw
mill. He died in 1860. Charles Ennis, the fourth son, was educated at Lima and
Hobart College, Geneva, and afterward removed to Minnesota, and in 1865 he with his
brothers founded the Commercial National Bank of Chicago, which at present is one of
the leading banks of Chicago, and of which he was cashier. In 1867 he returned to
Lyons. At the age of twenty-nine he married Emma L., daughter of Deacon Newell
Taft, of Lyons, and they were the parents of three children: Charles T., Willard G.,
and Marian. Charles T. is now preparing for admission to the bar of Wayne county in
the office of J. W. Dunwell. He had many very large business interests in the West,
but his home was in Wayne county, retaining the relations and being in association with
the leading men of his county, and he ever sought to advance the west welfare of those,
with whom he came in contact. He died July 2, 1879, at the age of forty-three. He
took an active interest in educational and religious institutions, especially in the Presby-
terian church, of which he was a member.
Eaton, James E., was born in Sussex county, England, December 7, 1827. He was
the oldest of eight children born to Samuel and Hannah Eaton, natives of England, in
1854 came to America, and on his return to England he died. His wife died in Eng-
50 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
jand in 1853. James E. Eaton was reared on a farm, and in 1850 came to Ontario
and settled on the farm now owned by the family. Mr. Eaton had forty-five acres, on
which he made improvements and built new buildings. He married, May 8, 1851, in
Monroe county, Fannie Woodhams, a native of England, came to Ontario in 1850, and
here Mr. Woodhams died in 1878, and his wife in 1874. Mr. Eaton and wife had twelve
children: Sarah A., deceased; James T. ; Jacob, deceased; William; John W. ; Annie
M., deceased; Charles F., deceased; Emma J.; Nettie; Lillie B., deceased; Roland
D., deceased ; and Raymond. Mr. Eaton died November 24, 1889. Mr. and Mrs.
Eaton are members of the Wesleyan Methodist church.
Easton, Charles H., proprietor of the Empire Roller Mills of Wolcott, was born here in
1861, the son of Hezekiah Easton, a well-known citizen of Wolcott. He attended
school at the Red Creek Seminary, where he obtained a fair business education. When
twenty-one years of age he married Kate L. Clapper, daughter of John Clapper, of Red
Creek. In 1883 he purchased a farm of 75 acres, the old homestead, by being quite
successful in the raising of tobacco. In 1892 he purchased the Empire Roller Mills of
Wolcott, where he condncts a milling business both in custom and merchant milling.
Fntts, Aaron, was born in the town of Macedon, March 16, 1873. His father,
George Fritts, was a native of New York State, and was a farmer. He died in 1881,
but his wife is still living. Aaron Fritts is a young man of twenty-one years. He was
educated in the Macedon Academy, and since leaving school has been engaged in farm
work. He now owns a farm of 123 acres. In politics Mr. Fritts is an Independent.
Freeland, Charles D., was born in Seneca county, July 5, 1818. His father was a
native of New Jersey, and came to Seneca county in 1804, and died August 28, 1866, at
the age of seventy-six. Charles D. was educated in the common schools, and at the age
of thirty-one he married Eleanor Yan Demark, who passed away in 1879. He after-
ward married Lucy Mauthe, and they have one son, John P., and three daughters,
Mary B., Emma O, and Katie May. In 1866 he bought part of the Jonah Hopkins
estate, having sixty acres, and raising fruit, hay, grain, and stock.
Finch, David S., was born in the town of Dresden, February 24, 1819. His father,
Jeremiah S., came to the town of Rose in 1820, when the said town was nearly all a
wilderness. He first settled about two miles west of Rose Yalley, on the farm now
occupied by a Mr. Hicox, living there eight years, when he took up and cleared the
farm now owned by William Finch, where he resided until his death, which occurred in
1859, aged seventy-seven years. He was a well-known farmer and veterinary sur-
geon. David S. was educated in the common schools, and at the age of twenty-sever
married Matilda A., daughter of Jacob Brush, of Lebanon, Columbia county, by whom
he has six children : Nathaniel, Charles, William, Jeremiah, Ernest and Mrs. Phoebe J.
Howe. In 1869 he bought the Calvin H. Bliss property of 208 acres, raising fruit, hay,
grain and stock, having also a lot of about fifteen acres in the town of Rose, which he
devoted to vegetable growing. Our subject has been a member of the M. E. Church
for the past twenty-five years, and takes an active interest in all school and church
work.
Fowler, M. S., was born at Brutus, January 26, 1851, is the only son of Willirm and
Mary (Wood) Fowler, of Butler. He was educated at Rochester Business University,
graduating in 1874, and is at present devoted to the management of the large farming
interests established by his father. He married, November 29, 1876, Lottie E. Wine-
gar, by whom he had three sons : George W., born January 9, 1881 ; Clarence M., born
January 16, 1886, and Burton P., born June 19, 1887. Mrs. Fowler is the elder daugh-
ter of the late Mansfield Winegar, who was a prominent figure in the social and busi-
ness affairs 'of the locality. At the time of his death, May 9, 1892, he was senior
partner of the firm of M. B. Winegar & Son, engaged in hardware trade at South
Butler. He was sixty years of age.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 51
Fewster, Charles, was born in Jefferson county, May 17, 1855, the son of Mather and
Mary Franks Fewster, natives of England, he born August 24, 1819, and she Decem-
ber 23, 1818. They came to Antwerp, Jefferson county, in 1851, and resided there
until 1859, and then went to Gouverneur, and remained until 1865, when they came to
Ontario, and settled on the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch, and here the
father died, August 26, 1893, and his wife died December 11, 1891. Our subject was
reared on a farm and remained at home, and since sixteen years of age he has had
charge of his father's business. He owns 104 acres of land, and is a general farmer.
He is now serving his second term as highway commissioner, and his first as excise
commissioner. In 1887 he married Hattie Truax, of Ontario, daughter of James and
Fedelia Traux, and they have two children : Ethel M., and Howard C.
Fellows, Frank L., was born in Lyons, August 2, 1863, was educated in the Lyons
Union School, and the Pennington Seminary, after which he taught four years ; also
read law at Cleveland with Judge Williams. At the age of twenty-six he married
Anna M., daughter of William H. Vandercook, of Eose, and they are the parents of
three children : William, Ethel, and Laura. Our subject is one of the largest farmers in
his town, having 300 acres, raising large quantities of mint, wheat, barely and stock.
He takes an active interest in educational and religious matters. The family came from
Hessie Darmstadt (Germany), and settled in Columbia county in 1750.
Fanning, Joel. Patrick and Melinda Fanning were farmers residing in the town of
Butler. They had two children, George and Joel, George being the older by two
years. Joel Fanning was born June 18, 1855. At the age of nine his father was
killed by the falling of a tree which he was chopping. Although he had a small farm
nearly paid for, his untimely death was a great blow to his family. The subject of this
sketch attended the district schools until he was sixteen years old ; then he attended
the South Butler Union School, Red Creek Academy, and the Leavenworth Institute
at Wolcott. By teaching school winters and going to school summers he fitted him-
self for college. In the year 1879 he entered Adrian College, Mich., where he re-
mained two years, after which he taught the South Butler Union School for two years
and the Rose Valley Union School one year. In the fall of 1884 he entered upon the
study of law, and was admitted to the bar April 1, 1887, and is at present practicing
his profession at Wolcott. At the age of twenty-one he allied himself with the Re-
publican party.
Fuller, Erastus B., was born in Arcadia in 1843, son of John L. Fuller of Dutchess
county, who came to Wayne county in 1843 and settled where he now resides. Our
subject has devoted most of his life to farming, from 1874 to 1875 was in the produce
business, and in 1879 purchased twenty-six acres of land on the lake shore. His enter-
prising mind soon conceived the idea of transforming this property into a resort. He
put his ideas into practice, and the result has been the development of the magnificent
and popular Lake Bluff summer resort, the most sightly point on Great Sodus Bay.
He erected the Lake Bluff hotel, large and commodious, in connection with which he
conducts a grocery store, stables and post-office, Mr. Fuller being postmaster in 1894.
He married Emma L., daughter of Harvey and Lucinda (Clark) Sherman, of Marion,
born in 1843, and they have one child by adoption, Irvin S.
Field, A. S., was born in Clyde, July 27, 1815. His father, Daniel, came from the
town of Phelps to Clyde in 1810. A. S. was educated in the common schools, learned
the carpenter and joiner's trade in 1840, and established the well-known furniture
house of A. S. Field, in which he continued business for forty-two years, and is now
carried on by his son, W. N. Field. At the age of twenty-eight he married Rachael,
daughter of Gilbert Fisher, and they have had seven children, four of whom are now
living: Mrs. Charles T. Saxton, Mrs. J. W. Hinman, W. N. Field and George A. Field.
His business eareer has been of the most honorable character, and he has always en-
LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
joyed the entire respect of his fellow-citizens. He has been trustee of the Clyde High
School, president and trustee of the village of Clyde and overseer of the poor of the
town of Galen. For years he was leader of the first brass band organized in the
eastern part of Wayne county.
Fenn, Merritt H., only son of Nelson G. and Fannie M. Fenn, of Butler, was born
September 11. 1849. An elder sister, Sylvia, is Mrs. George Johnson, of Wolcott.
Merritt's father died December 17, 1851, aged only thirty-two years, and six years
later the family removed to Wolcott, where Merritt married, February 8, 1872, Adella,
only daughter of Cuyler Castor. Their only child, Marion, died in 1889, when only
fifteen years of age. Fannie, the widow of Nelson Fenn, is now Mrs. Alpheus
Roberts.
Flint, Dwight B., was born in Rose, February 9, 1830, son of Elizur Flint, a farmer
born in 1793, and a native of Connecticut. He was an 1812 pensioner, and ranked as
sergeant. He came to Rose in 1817 and settled on wild land, and died in 1884. He
was a Republican and had served as supervisor one term and justice of the peace for
many years, and was commonly called Squire Flint. His wife was Roxie Howard, of
Connecticut, and their children were Dwight B. and Calista, deceased, wife of George
Catchpole, of Rose. In 1859 our subject came to Huron and exchanged farms with
his brother-in-law, George Catchpole, doing general farming, but apples being his
favorite crop. In 1892 he purchased a farm of fifty acres in lot 2. In 1859 he mar-
ried Mary A., a daughter of Robert Catchpole, and they have one child, Augusta E.,
wife of Frank D. Gaylord, of Sodus, and their children are: Elizabeth C, born in 1S86,
and Dwight F., born in 1889. Our subject is a member of the Masonic order in Rose
Yalley, of which he has been treasurer twenty-six years. In politics he is a Republi-
can, and has served as assessor, supervisor in 1875 and 1876, and county superintendent
for six years. He and his wife are members of the Clyde Grange.
Fries, William, was born in the town of Rose December 28, 1847, the youngest of
eleven children of Andrew and Catherine (Mink) Fries, both natives of Columbia
county, N. Y. The grandfather, William, and his wife emigrated from Germany to
America and were early settlers of Columbia county. Andrew Fries came from Colum-
bia county to Rose, then to Palmyra, and then to Williamson, where he died in 1870,
and his wife in 1874. Of the family four sons and two daughters still survive. Two
sons and one daughter reside in Wayne county, and the others in Michigan. William
Fries was reared on a farm and worked the homestead farm a great many years. In
1877 he came to Ontario, was for awhile in the mercantile business at Furnaceville, and
then bought the farm near Furnaceville, where he is quite largely engaged in growing
and evaporating fruit. He has twenty-five acres of apples, five acres of raspberries
and peaches, besides other small fruits. In 1869 he married Elizabeth, daughter of
Emmet Teats, of Ontario, originally of Dutchess county. Mr. and Mrs. Fries have had
four daughters, only one of whom survive : Eveline died at the age of three years,
May died at the age of ten, Pearl died at the age of six, and Edna, born October 3,
1877, who is at home. Three of Mr. Fries' brothers, Andrew, Edmund and Gilbert,
were soldiers in the Rebellion. Gilbert was killed at the battle of Cedar Creek. In
politics the family are Republican and in religion they are Presbyterians.
Field, W. N., was born in Clyde July 14, 1848. His father, Ambrose S. Field, was
a native of the town of Galen. Mr. W. N. Field was educated in the Clyde High
School, after leaving which he associated himself with nis father in the furniture and
undertaking business. Hepurchased the business in 1881 and is now proprietor. Mr.
W. N. Field married Miss Lucy A. Foote, daughter of Allen G. Foote, and they are the
parents of the following children : Charles W., who was graduated from Union Col-
lege in 1893, and is now a member of the State Engineer Corps ; Edna M., Lucy A.
and Winifred. •
FAMILY SKETCHES. 53
Fogerty, Timothy, of Macedon, was born in Ireland November 7, 18'27, a son of Ed-
mund Fogerty, also a native of that country. Timothy came to America in 1854 and
settled in Columbia county, where he worked in an iron foundry for two years then
took up his residence (1856) in Macedon, where he engaged in farming by the month
for four years. In 1858 he married Marie Coniff, of this town, and of their five chil-
dren four survive, one son having died February 26, 1894, aged thirty-one years. Mr.
Fogerty is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Catholic Church. His farm con-
sists of 171 acres.
Farrand, G-. A., was born November 1, 1830, in Savannah. He received a common
school education, and with that as a basis has by personal research become a man of
wide information. He married March 28, 1854, Amelia, daughter of James Carris, of
Tyre, Seneca county. Mr. Carris died February 25, 1887, aged seventy-eight years, his
widow, Pamelia, surviving him. She was born at Waterloo December 18, 1816. The
only child of G-. A. and Amelia Farrand is Valeria, born December 17, 1855. She is
now the wife of R. A. Wilson, of Butler, now superintendent of the Wagner Palace
Car Company in Chicago, 111. Mr. Farrand, like his elder brothers, is a " landmark" in
intellect and popularity.
Farnum, Aramon S., of Savannah, was born in Onondaga county in 1848, a son of
Sylvester A. and Maria (Conklin) Farnum, the former dying in 1893 and the latter in
1883. Mr. Farnum received a liberal education at Albion Academy, supplemented by a
business training at the Ames College, of Syracuse. He is a trained telegrapher, having
been engaged in that work several years after leaving school. At the age of twenty-
two he began the manufacture of harness in this place, and has built up a large and
profitable trade, carrying also an attractive and large stock of saddlery hardware. In
1872 he married C. Jennie Westbrook. Their eldest daughter, Maud, born in 1873, is
the wife of Prof. L. H. Carris, principal of Apalachin High School. Two younger
daughters are: Mary, born in 1876, and Clara, born in 1881. Mr. Farnum has served
as justice of the peace for eleven years and has served on the Board of Supervisors five
years, besides filling many minor positions. In 1884 Mr. Farnum was elected to the
Assembly, serving two years, to the entire satisfaction of his colleagues and of his con-
stituents.
Farrand, Isaac T., the second of the three sons of Ebenezer and Susan Farrand, was
born January 29, 1828. He married February 25, 1857, Janette, daughter of Daniel
Kissinger, of Seneca Falls. In 1860 he engagad in the grocery business, but since 1865
has been a farmer. He is a member of the M. E. Church, a steadfast Republican, hav-
ing been an assessor for a term of fifteen years. He is also a man of sunny and genial
temperament, and has hosts of friends. He has two sons, Edrick H., born August 31,
1858, a dealer in agricultural machinery, wagons, seeds, grains, etc., with stock and
headquarters on the homestead farm, and William, born" January 5, 1863, who is a
watchmaker and jeweler of much skill and success, having graduated in 189 1' with a No.
1 diploma from the Horological School at Waltham, Mass.
Fisher & Kellogg. The senior member of this firm, Gilbert Fisher, was born at
Gorham, N. Y., February 22, 1825. He is the son of the late Gilbert Fisher, of Butler,
a prominent farmer, who died in 1832. He now conducts (having admitted his grand-
son, Guyon Kellogg) a large dairy and fruit farm, shipping dairy products to New
York and adjacent points in New Jersey. Prior to the Civil War Mr, Fisher con-
ducted a hotel at Port Glasgow. He was a soldier of Company H, 9th Heavy Artil-
lery, serving until the close of the war, and although escaping unwounded, suffers
severely from rheumatism contracted while in the service. September 16. 1848. he
married Chalystia Stage, of Wolcott, and they have one daughter, Mary, born De-
cember 16. 1848, who became the wife of John C. Kellogg December 24, 1867. The
children of the latter marriage are Guyon, born March 17, 1870, and Ida May, born
54 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
October 27, 1876. Guy was educated at Leavenworth Institute (as was also his sister)
and was for a time engaged as clerk with A. W. Moore and H. C. Moses at Wolcott.
A young man of good business abilities, he is highly esteemed by all who know him.
Finley, Mark G, of Walworth, was born December 16, 1826, and was educated in
the Walworth Academy and Union College, from which latter he graduated in 1856.
He then began reading law, and was admitted to the bar in 1859, and began practice
in Palmyra. He also served as school commissioner for nine years, ending January
1, 1894. He served as police justice twenty- five years, and was also justice of
the peace, having served since 1861. He was again elected police justice April 1,
1894. In December, 1861, he married Helen E. Myrick, and their children are: Han-
nah E., a teacher in the Union School ; Helen M., wife of Dr. S. H. Hunt of Chicago ;
Marjone C, John Finley and Prudence Sabin. The parents of our subject were natives
of Orange county, N. Y., and Connecticut, respectively, having been married in Con-
necticut. They moved to Walworth in 1816, where they died. The father came to
Walworth in 1808, and was in the war of 1812. His second wife was Rebecca Daven-
port, nee Potter, by whom he had two children.
Fisher, Abram, was born on the ocean; October 31, 1844, while his parents were
coming from Holland to America. He is a brother of John Fisher, mentioned in this
work. Our subject was reared on a farm and worked by the month for twelve >ears,
and then purchased the land he owns of sixty-five acres and also thirty-seven acres,
which he sold to his brother. He follows general farming, and also has eight acres of
berries. Mr. Fisher is a Republican in politics. He married, August 8, 1871, Ella
Hulbert, a native of Ontario, and daughter of Norman and Mary Hulbert, and they had
seven children: Wellington, Earnest, Addison I., Jessie, Allison, Blanche and Frank.
Forgham, Richard F., was born in Westmoreland, Oneida county, October 1, 1848,
was educated in the common schools and is a self-made and self-educated man. At
the age of seventeen he established a crockery and variety store in Camden, which he
sold in 1868 and came to Lyons in 1871 and established the bottling business, being
the first plant of the kind between Syracuse and Rochester, and in which he is still
engaged. At the age of thirty-nine he married Mary L., daughter of Sylvanus Bailey,
of Lyons, and they are the parents of one son, John E. Our subject is a Republican
in politics, and is serving his second term as trustee of the village, being identified in
advancing the best interests of his town and the leading events of the day ; the street
running by his property being named for him, Forgham street. He is a man of con-
servative character and of sterling worth and integrity.
Gates, Melvin B., born in Ontario, March 1, 1829, is a son of Joseph W. and Harriet
(Levens) Gates, the former born in Oswego county February 3, 1801. Mrs. Gates died
in 1831, and he married second a sister of his first wife, who still survives, she being
the only one left of six. They had four children, all now living. Mr. Gates was one
of the pioneers of Ontario, was for several years supervisor of the town, and served
six years as assessor, and revenue assessor from 1862 to 1866. The grandparents of
our subject was Isaac and Prudence (French) Gates, who came to Ontario in 1816,
and settled on a farm. He was twice married and raised a large family. Melvin B.
was educated in Walworth Academy and has always followed farming. In 1855 he
married Rhoda M. Gould, born June 11, 1830, and daughter of Ebenezer and Silva
(Bancroft) Gould, early settlers of Walworth, Wayne county, by whom he has had
two sons, Floyd I., born in November, 1860. His wife is Kittie Cone, and he is en-
gaged in farming in Ontario ; and Louis M., born September 13, 1868. At the time of
his marriage, Mr. Gates settled on the farm he now owns, and has since resided there
and made many improvements. His farm has 120 acres, and he is engaged in general
farming and fruit growing. In politics he is a Republican, and is at present county
superintendent of .the poor. Mr. Gates and wife attend and support the M. E. church.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 55
Gilbert, Joseph, a native of Marion, was born February 22, 1833. He is the young-
est of eight sons and eight daughters of Samuel and Luceba (Wilson) Gilbert, natives of
Hadley, Saratoga county. The grandfather was Joseph Gilbert, who was a farmer of
Saratoga county, where he died aged ninety-one. Samuel came to Wayne county in
1809 and settled first in Williamson. He was at Pultneyville during the War of 1812.
He removed to Marion in 1849 and bought 100 acres of land, where he resided until
his death in 1857. Mrs. Gilbert died in 1864. aged seventy-eight. He was one of the
pioneer abolitionists. Joseph Gilbert was reared on the farm and has made farming his
life occupation. He married in 1859 Emerett Adams, of Marion, by whom he had one
daughter and one son, who died in infancy. Alma is the wife of Delmar Hope, and
they have two daughters, Daisy and Faith C. Mr. Hope is now carrying on the
farm, which consists of 100 acres. Joseph Gilbert is a member of the Williamson
Grange.
Garlock, Abram, born in Mohawk Valley, N. Y., May 5, 1831, was the youngest of
thirteen children of Jacob and Maria Garlock, who came to Marion in 1837, and here
lived and died aged sixty-three years respectively. He owned a large farm, the village
of Marion occupying a part of that farm. Abram Garlock was educated in Marion Acad-
emy, and was engaged in the mercantile business ten years, but his principal occupa-
tion was a dealer in produce. He was postmaster four years. He married in May,
1854, Hester A. Sweezey, a native of Marion, and daughter of Merritt and Clarissa
Sweezey, he a native of Marion, and she a native of Vermont. Mr. Sweezey died in
1855, and his wife in 1873. Mr. Garlock and wife had four children : Arthur M., who
died in 1888, aged thirty; Emery L., who died in 1881, aged twenty-one; Carrie L.,
who died in 1883, aged twenty-two ; and May, wife of Edward Croucher. Mr Gar-
lock died May 13, 1884.
Gurnee, Isaac H., born in Onondaga county, June 6, 1824, was the second child of
Marvin and Phoebe (Hall) Gurnee, the former a native of Haverstraw, born in July,
1799, and died June 27, 1870. He was a son of Caleb Gurnee, who lived in Skaneate-
les, but died in Cayuga county. Marvin came to Ontario, N. Y., in 1828, and there
lived and died in 1870, and his wife December 12, 1885, aged eighty-one years. Our
subject was four years old when he came to Ontario, where he resided until 1866, when
he came to Marion on the farm he now owns. After two years he established a boot
and shoe business in the village, but soon returned to the farm he now owns, where he
has since resided. He married, December 31, 1846, Sarah Baker, a native of East
Newark, and daughter of Jacob and Jane (Ehodes) Baker. Mr. Gurnee and wife had
one son, Alonzo B., born February 16, 1849, in Ontario. He came to Marion and
learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed six years, but his principal occupation
has been farming. He is a member of the A. O. IT. W. of Marion, and has been master
of the Grange three years, during which time the lodge has grown from twenty-six to
one hundred members. He married, October 26, 1870, Euphema Carpenter, by whom
he has had two children : T. Carlton and Edith M.
Griswold, William H., was born in the town of Rose, April 3, 1838. His father,
Lorenzo, was a native of the town of Victory, Cayuga county, and came to Wayne
county in 1834. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Nathan Jeffers, and they had seven
children, of whom three are now living : William H., Mrs. Sarah Lane, and Mrs. Helen
J. Cobell. Lorenzo was among the early settlers in the town of Rose, and through life
was a prominent farmer in his town. He died in March, 1851, aged forty-three years.
William H. was educated in the common schools, to which he has added through life
by reading and close observation. At the age of twenty-one he married Julia A.,
daughter of James Weeks, by whom he has three children : Charles E., Frank W., and
one daughter. Our subject is one of the largest farmers in Wayne couuty, raising large
quantities of fruit, hay, grain and stock. He was elected supervisor for two terms, and
56 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
takes an active interest in educational and religious matters, being a liberal supporter of
the Methodist church.
Getman, George W"., was born in Columbia, Herkimer county, N. Y., December 18,
1845, was educated in the district schools, and finished at West Winfield Academy, after
which he taught for two years, and then entered the employ of J. G. Burriil at Herki-
mer, N. Y., and learned the profession of druggist, moving to Lyons in April, 1869, and
established the business of retail druggist and wholesale and retail essential oils, of
which he is one of the largest buyers and shippers in Wayne county. At the age of
twenty-three he married Fannie Taylor, of Herkimer, and they have three sons, George,
Frank, and William, and two daughters, Fannie and Marion. He is a Republican in
politics, has been trustee of the village, and is also interested in school and religious mat-
ters, having been an elder twenty years in the Presbyterian church of Lyons. Our sub-
ject is thoroughly identified in advancing the best interest of his town, where he is
recognized as a man of sterling character and high worth.
Garlock Packing Company. — This firm engaged in the manufacture of steam, water,
and ammonia fibrous packings, is one of Wayne county's most important manufacturing
establishments. In 1884 Garlock, Crandall & Co. began the business at Palmyra on a
small scale in a single room of one of the buildings now occupied by the present com-
pany. The firm of Garlock, Crandall & Co. consisted of 0. J. Garlock, a native of
Palmyra, now a resident of New York city; Eugene Nichols, a native of Monroe
county, and George H. Crandall, a native of this town. In September, 1887, the Gar-
lock Packing Company was formed by 0. J. Garlock, Eugene Nichols, and F. W.
Griffith, a native of Phelps, Ontario county. The old firm purchased, in 1886, the
main building now occupied by the present company, comprising a three-story, 36x80
structure, and in 1888 an additional building of two stories was erected. The class of
fibrous packings made by this firm, in ring and spiral forms, was originated by Mr.
Garlock, and has replaced other kinds to a very great extent. It was first introduced
about 1884. They are also large manufacturers of gaskets, and jobbers of packings
for flanges and joints. They use one steam engine, with a forty-five horse-power
boiler, also an electric dynamo engine, employing from fifteen to twenty hands. They
manufacture four special packings, viz. : Garlock's Special Water, Garlock's Elastic
King, Garlock's Sectional R'n?, and Garlock's Spiral. In addition to their plant here,
they have also one at Rome, Ga., and have branch offices in New York, Philadelphia,
Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Chicago, and Omaha, from which points shipments are made to
the various parts of the country. They have a large export trade controlled by the
New York branch, wh'ch also supplies numerous inter continental steamers. They are
shipping from Palmyra about four tons per week.
Gilbert, John P., M. D., was born in Lyons December 27, 1829. His father, John,
came to Lyons in 1806. His father, Amos Gilbert, was a soldier of the Revolutionary
War, and himself a soldier in the war of 1812. He was one of the founders of the
Presbyterian church, and was one of the deacons for more than fifty years up to the
time of his death in 1882, aged ninety-two years. John P. was educated in the Lyons
Union School and the Geneva Medical College, and graduated from the medical de-
partment of the University of New York in 1856, under the celebrated Valentine Mott,
after which he returned to Lyons and succeeded Dr. Pollock, his preceptor^ and estab-
lished a general practice, making a specialty of the treatment of the eye and ear. In
October, 1857, he married Mary E. Tyler, daughter of Piatt Tyler, esq, of Hillsdale,
Columbia County, N. Y. Mrs. Gilbert died in 1882, leaving one child, Mary Louisa.
He had charge of the Albany Eye and Ear Infirmary from 1858 to 1861. He received
a commission from Hon. Gideon Wells, secretary of the navy, and entered the U. S.
Navy in December, 1861, as acting assistant surgeon in the East Gulf Squadron, offi-
ciating as chief medical officer on board the U. S. ship, Guard. Resigning from the
navy in 1862 he entered the United States hospital service in De Camp General Hos-
FAMILY SKETCHES. 57
pital at David's Island ; was later assigned as post surgeon at the Draft Rendezvous at
Riker's Island, New York harbor. Continuing in the hospital service up to 1865, he
then resigned on account of ill health. He soon after located in Long Island City and
established a general practice and a drug store, and was appointed postmaster. Since
1870 he has practiced in the west until 1881, when he returned to Lyons, where he has
since resided. Dr. Gilbert is the inventor and proprietor of " Vital Vim," a new
stimulant without alcohol or any injurious ingredients, which is rapidly gaining in favor
as a household remedy, as well as a cure for the liquor habit. He is a comrade of A.
D. Adams Post, No. 153, G-. A. R., of the State of New York; a member of Humanity
Lodge, No. 406, F. and A. M., and one of the original charter members of Temple
Lodge, No. 115, Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which he is past master work-
man and medical examiner.
Greenway, George B., was born in Syracuse February 15, 1856. His father, George
Greenway, was one of the firm of J. & G. Greenway, brewers. George B. Greenway
was educated in Syracuse and Williams College, after which he studied medicine. In
1880 in connection with C. E. Wolcott he purchased the book and stationery business
of Davis, Bardeen & Co., which he afterward sold out and took an interest in the
Whitney Wagon Works. In 1889 he came to Clyde and purchased S. D. Streeter's in-
terest of the Streeter Malting Company, and in 1892 bought the remaining Streeter in-
terest. Mr. Greenway married Miss Ella M. Warner daughter of Arthur Warner, of
Springfield, Mass., and to them one child was born, viz., Ruth W. Mr. Greenway is a
public spirited man and is interested in the advancement of the educational and religious
institutions of the town. In 1894 he was elected president of the village of Clyde.
Gatchell, William Whittier, was born in Galen September 7, 1822, a son of Elisha, a
native of Boston, who came in 1813 to Lyons, Wayne county, and some years later to
Huron and settled on Great Sodus Bay. He served as justice of the peace, com-
missioner, and assessor. He married first Sophia, daughter of Clark Whittier, of Port-
land, Maine, by whom he had five children : Jeremiah, William W., James W., Harriet,
and Mary Ann. His second wife was Margaret Britton, and their children were :
Sophia, Christopher, Henry, Charles, Guett, Elisha (deceased). Jane, and Charles. The
grandfather was Jeremiah, also a native of Boston, and a sea captain. His wife was a
Miss Diamond, whose father was sailing master on board the war-ship Constitution.
At the age of eighteen William W. engaged in the mercantile business in Port Glasgow,
which he followed four years, afterward engaging in the apple business, which he fol-
lowed eighteen years and then turned his attention to farming and fruit growing, own-
ing 170 acres. In February, 1861, he married Louise, daughter of Charles and Polly
Tyndall, of Rose, and their children are : Minnie, wife of Dr. George D. York, of
Huron ; James K., of Troy ; Worth and Sophia. Mr. and Mrs. Gatchell are members of
Huron Grange, and in politics our subject is a Democrat. He has served as post-
master, assessor, constable, collector, and supervisor.
Gilbert, Edward F., was born in Lyons January 21, 1843. His father, John, was one
of the prominent business men in his town, being a manufacturer and inventor of fan-
ning mills for over sixty years. These mills were shipped all over the United States,
Canada, and to foreign countries, including Turkey and Damascus, Syria. He invented
the process of putting the twist in the double warp of the wire screens used in clean-
ing grain ; previous to that time they were braided by hand. In 1858 he engaged in
the furniture and undertaking business, in which he was succeeded by his son Edward
F., who was educa'ed in the Lyons Union School, began an active business life at the
age of sixteen, and carried on the business twenty-eight years. He then traveled on
the road and is also engaged in shipping to foreign countries parts of fanning mills that
could not be manufactured there. He is also the inventor of several toys, among them
being the thirteen, fourteen, fifteen puzzle, " Gibert's Instruction Alphabet" and
h
58 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
" Wash stand Screen." At the age of twenty-four he married Viola, daughter of Mor-
timer Calkins, of Earlville, N. Y., a graduate from the Lyons Musical Academy, who is
an efficient organist and successful piano music teacher. They are the parents of two
children: Carrie (deceased), and Mary Keokee, who has been a pupil of celebrated vio-
linists and is herself a brilliant performer and able instructor on the violin. Our subject
is one of the prominent business men in his town, having been trustee, treasurer and
assessor in his village.
Gillett, William, was born at Ferguson's Corners in the town of Galen, June 26,
1827. His father, James Gillett. was a native of Kent, England, came to the United
States in 1824 and settled in Wayne county at Ferguson's Corners. He died in 1848.
aged fifty- six. William Gillett was educated in the common schools in the town of
Sodus, and at the age of twenty-five married Lucy A., daughter of John Butler, by
whom he had three children, John H., William J. (now deceased), and Mrs. Lizzie B.
Patten. In 1861 he bought the Benjamin Ford property of 100 acres, raising fruit,
hay, grain and stock, and making a specialty of garden seeds. Our subject is one of
the representative men of his town, was elected supervisor and assessor, and takes an
active interest in school and church matters.
Garlock, James P., was born in Arcadia July 15, 1825, and came with his parents to
Parma, Monroe county, and here he was educated and learned the trade of carpentry.
This he followed twelve years, since which he has engaged in farming. February 23,
1859, he married Lydia A. Bryant, a daughter of one of the first settlers of the town,
and they have one son, Willard B., a farmer with his father. The family returned to
Wayne county and located in East Palmyra in 1864, and in 1868 to the town of Arca-
dia, locatir
born in C
burgh, by ,.
becca Van Zile, and their five children were: Andrew, James P., Nelson H., William,
and Wesley. This family came here in 1812, locating on the Edgett place west of
Newark. Nicholas died December 17, 1838, and his wife January 10, 1866. He was
a soldier in the war of 1812. The great-grandfather of James P. came from Germany
in 1709 and settled in Montgomery county, where the family was long identified with
the best interests of the locality. The fifth generation is now residing on the Bryant
homestead.
Gardner, Amos, was born in Webster, Monroe county, November 30, 1831. He is
one of a family of nine sons and seven daughters of Thomas and Matilda (Russell)
Gardner, he a native of Albany county, born February 12, 1806, died February 1, 1861,
and she a native of Greene county, born September 18, 1812. Mr. Gardner was a
farmer by occupation and bought the farm now owned by George Gardner in On-
tario. Mrs. Gardner died December 13, 1889. A son, Louis, was in the Rebellion
two years. He was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, from the effects of which he
died October 20. 1886. The grandfather was Silas, who came from Rhode Island to
Monroe county, and settled finally in Ontario, Wayne county, where he died. Amos
Gardner was reared on the farm and has always followed farming. He now has a
farm of fifty acres and carries on general farming and fruit raising. October 24, 1855,
he married Lydia, daughter of Urial and Esther (Power) Aldrich, he of Macedon and
she of Oak Orchard Creek, N. Y. They had three sons and two daughters, all of whom
are now living. He died September 24, 1882, and his wife resides at Farmington, On-
tario county, on the homestead, aged eighty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have
had three sons and one daughter : E. Isabelle, who died May 25, 1872 ; Urial, deceased ;
Cassius and Royal, who are at home. In politics he is a Republican, and in religion
they are Baptists.
Gardner, Ishmael Gilbert, is one of Huron's representatives, born in Huron April 6,
1851, and is the son of Samuel Gardner, a farmer born in Ontario county in 1820. He
FAMILY SKETCHES. 59
came to Huron in 1849, and served as assessor, supervisor, and in other offices. His
wife was Hannah Brewster, of Lansingburg, and their children were Ishmael G. and
Elizabeth, deceased. His second wife was Happilona Chatterson, and they had one
child, Ella, wife of Samuel Lyman, of Rose. Our subject now owns the homestead
farm, and is a grower and distiller of the oils of peppermint, spearmint, wormwood and
tansy. He also has extensive hot houses and gardening lands, and is engaged in forcing
various winter and early spring crops for the city markets. In 1875 he married Sarah,
daughter of Azael and Harriet Slaght, and their children are: Evelyn, born 1876;
Samuel, 1878; Belle, deceased; Laura, 1889. Mr. Gardner is a Democrat.
Ganze, Henry A., was born in Germany, July 27. 1837, is the son of Henry and
Maria Ganze, natives of Germany, who came to New York in 1852, and finally settled
in Egg Harbor City, Atlantic county, N. J., where Mr. Ganze died in 1881, and his wife
in 1866. Subject was educated in the common schools of Germany and at a evening
school in New York. He left New York in 1854, and settled in Marion (at sixteen
years of age). Mr. Ganze is a natural musician, and for a number of years played the
organ in the Christian church, of which he and his wife are members. He learned the
carpenter trade, and has followed it most of his life. He enlisted in 1862 in Company
D, 160th New York Volunteer Infantry, and served three years and three months. He
was in the following battles : Port Hudson, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek,
wounded and taken prisoner, but only held one day. He married, December 30, 1857,
Clarissa Fish, a native of Fall River, Mass., daughter of John and Mary Fish. Mr.
Ganze and wife had six children: Henry J., born August 26, 1866; Albert A., born
September 27, 1867; William H., born January 2, 1871; Thomas S., born July 7, 1872;
Mary A., born February 3, 1875, and one born in 1880, who died in infancy. Henry J.
died August 27, 1866 ; Albert A. died March 3, 1870; Thomas died April 26, 1873. Mr.
Ganze holds the office of excise commissioner.
Hall, J. Madison, one of the oldest residents of this locality, and who yet carries
lightly his eighty-six years, was born in Pittstown, Rensselaer county, October 8, 1808,
the son of Aaron Hall, a native of Connecticut. Practically a self-educated man, he is
an omniverous reader and a man of vigorous mental action. His wife, Phila Mosher,
was born in Pittstown, February 3, 1810, and died May 16, 1889. Their children were
as follows: Henry, now with his father; Wesley, a prominent merchant at Red Creek;
Mary, wife of D. D. decker, of the firm of Becker & Hall, merchants and bankers of
Red Creek ; Martha, wife of A. M. Turner, of New York city ; and Harriet, who died
April 22, 1850, aged fifteen.
Heisler, Henry, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, November 7, 1833, and came to
the United States in 1855. He first went to Monroe county, in 1856 came to the town
of Huron, and in 1869 bought the Rogers property of fifty acres, raising fruit, hay,
grain, and stock. In 1857 he married Maria B., daughter of Casper Mannes, and they
have three children : Henry R., John C, and Mrs. Maria Jenkins. Our subject is one
of the most thorough farmers in the town of Galen, and is recognized as a man of
steiling integrity.
Hamm, Moses F., was born in the town of Bloomfield, Ontario county, March 17,
1834, was educated in the common schools, and is a graduate of the Canandaigua Acad-
emy. About 1854 he married Phoebe J., daughter of Jason and Adeline Sanford, of
East Palmyra. Mr. Hamm taught school when a young man, and by industry and
good management has become possessed of a comfortable competence. When the Union
School and Academy was erected, he devoted his entire time to superintending the con-
struction of the edifice, in the capacity of trustee, which latter office he filled for nine
years. He has also served as president of village of Newark. Mrs. Hamm died in
1865, and he married second, May 14, 1867, Mary E., daughter of Edward and Lida
Kirby, of Oneida county. Mr. Hamm is committee in charge of the Emma L. Ramsdell
60 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
estate, the owner being insane. He has resided in Newark seventeen years. His care
of the above estate, together with the care of his farms, absorbs his whole time and
energies. He was formerly associated with James Upton and Gideon Ramsdell as
wood and tie contractors for fifteen years, for the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R Co. He is a
member of Newark Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M.. also of I. 0. 0. F. No. 250. Mrs. Hamm
is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps. Mr. Hamm's father, Robert, was born in
Vermont, of Scotch parentage, and came to this part of the country in 1802, first
locating in Palmyra, and later in East Bloom field. His first wife was Sarah Mack, and
his second was Eunice Guile, of Keene, N. H. His children were: Miranda, Burton,
Helena, Levantiaette, Robert, jr., Delia, Moses F., Eunice, Eusebia. He died, aged
eighty-four. Edward Kirby, Mrs. Hamm's father, was a civil engineer, born in France,
who married Lida Long, of Oneida county, and they had seven children, of which only
three survive.
Hance, Thomas C, was one of the early settlers in this county, having been born in
Calvert county, Md., September 27, 1782, and died April 18, 1888, in Macedon, at the
advanced age of 105 years, six months, and twenty-one days. He moved from Balti-
more, Md., in 1803, to Western New York, and remained with his parents in Farming-
ton until 1817, when he married Esther C, daughter of Abraham Lapham. He then
removed to Macedon and kept the first general store on the mail route, west of Palmyra,
also had nurseries in Farmington and Macedon. In 1821 he received a patent for a
horse hay rake on wheels, it being the first patent of the kind issued. He and wife were
members of the Society of Friends. They had seven children, six of whom lived to
maturity, as follows: Benjamin M., born in 1818 in Macedon, graduated from the
Canandaigua Academy, and taught school a number of years. He was a member of the
Sanitary Commission in the late war, stationed at Point of Rocks, Va., and later at
Alexandria Heights. He took the overland route to California in 1849. At present he
is a resident of Niles, Mich., in the horticultural business; Sarah D., born in 1820,
graduated from the Albany Female Seminary, and at once took the position of precep-
tress at Macedon Academy (of which she was a graduate), later of the Palmyra and
Utica schools. She was instructor to the daughter of Senator Seward, and she served
as an assistant private secretary to him at Washington in 1857. She died June 10, 1807 ;
Abraham L., born April 6, 1822, died December 20, 1893 ; Thomas C, born in 1823,
graduated from the Chicago Medical College, was a surgeon in the United States army,
and is now stationed at Republican City, Neb. ; Dr. S. F. H, born in 1825 in Ohio,
graduated from the Albany Medical College, and was surgeon in the 89th Illinois
Infantry, resident now of Minneapolis, Minn. ; and Jonahan R., born in Ohio in 1827.
The parents in their old age lived with their son, Abraham L. The father was a de-
scendant of John Hance, of England, who settled in Maryland soon after Lord Baltimore
established the colony there. The mother was a descendant of the Laphams of Rhode
Island. She died in June, 1862, at the home of her son Abraham. The latter is the
only one of the sons who remained in this State. He was educated at the Canandaigua
and Macedon Center Academies, and in early life was a teacher and superintendent of
schools, and for forty years was connected with the best interests of his native town.
He married Lydia Packard in 1854. She was a daughter of Philander and Minerva
Packard. They had two sons: Frederick S., born October 17, 1858, who married
Jessie E. Parker in 1882, and has five children : and Benjamin M., born December 9,
1859, who lives on the homestead. He married Ada E. Eldredge in 1883.
Horton, George S., of Wok'Ott, was born in the old homestead at North Wolcott,
March 23, 1857. He was educated at the Leavenworth Institute and Red Creek Union
Seminary. In the fall of 1880 he became a student in the law department of the Uni-
versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, remaining there one year, thence to the Albany Law
School, where he graduated in the class of 1892. Prior to his le^al studies he spent a
portion of each year as a teacher. When only twenty- two years of age, he was elected
justice of the peace in his native town, being the youngest one in the country. Mr.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 01
Horton cast his first presidential vote for James A. Garfield in 1880. He has been an
enthusiastic Republican ever since. He is associated with Colonel A. S. Wood in the
practice of the law. In the town of Wolcott, where he was reared, and with whose
interest he has always been identified, no man is more popular nor more highly respect-
ed, as is evidenced by the majorities which he always gets when he is a candidate for an
office. In the fall of 1893 he was elected by a plurality of two thousand five hundred
and fifty-three to represent the big and populous county of Wayne in the Assembly.
He was made chairman of the Committee on Privileges and Elections, and was also a
member on Judiciary and Claims. In the season of 1894 he introduced several measures
of an economical and reformatory character, not only earning the continued regard of
his constituents, but the respect of his political opponents. He is married, and has one
child.
Hanchett, Mrs. Orange R., was born at Mexico, N. Y., March 17, 1826. Her maiden
name was Maretta Kenyon. In 1847 she married Frank Maguire, who was born in
Tyre, Seneca county, February 22, 1819. He was a resident of Butler forty years, en-
gaged in blacksmithing, and is a citizen of irreproachable character and moral worth.
He died at Butler, January 21, 1887. They had two sons, Darwin F., who died in
infancy; and Adelbert E., who was conductor on the T. W. S. W. R. R., and was killed
in a collision, November 6, 1874, a^ed twenty-six years. Mrs. Maguire married second,
Orange R. Hanchett (formerly of Wichita, Kan.), March 25, 1889, and they moved to
Wolcott, where Mr. Hanchett died April 9, 1893.
Henry, William, was born in Chatham, Columbia county, in 1817. a son of William
Henry, a school teacher, who went to Albany in 1818, and was never again heard from.
His wife was Catherine Sours, of Columbia county. In 1836 he and his mother moved
to Wayne county, and purchased the farm where Mr. Henry now lives. Here his
mother died in 1873. He makes a specialty of raising fruit, in which he is very success-
ful, his farm consisting of 200 acres. In 1844 he married Olive, daughter of Benjamin
and Hannah Parker, of Huron, who were early settlers here. Mrs. Henry was born in
1823. They had one child, born in 1846, Catherine Ann, wife of Aaron Peck, of Wol-
cott, by whom she has three children : G-ertie, Frank, and Minnie. Mrs. Henry died in
1849, and two years later he married Julia A. (born in July, 1823), a daughter of
Christian and Anna C. (Rote) Sours. They had four children : Seymour, born in 1852;
Mary, born in 1855. wife of Charles S. Pratt, of Marion ; Emma, born in 1857, wife of
Lewis Lovejoy, of Huron; and Idella, bom in 1860, wife of Frank Chapin, of Huron.
Mrs. Henry died June 18, 1894, aged seventy years. Mr. Henry has fourteen grand-
children, and three great-grandchildren. TJlrich Sours, great-grandfather of our subject,
was born in Germany, and had three children: Tunis, Peter, and Elizabeth. Tunis,
born in 1764, and his wife, Maria, born in 1756, had these children : Christiana, born in
1786; Philip, born in 1788; Catherine, born in 1790; Hannah, born in 1793; Margaret,
born in 1795 ; Maria, born in 1797 ; and Cynthia, born in 1799.
Heit, Jacob, was born in Alsace, March 8, 1823. His father, Michael, came with his
family to the United States in 1830, and died in 187 , aged eighty years. Jacob was
educated in the common schools. At the age of twenty-eight he married Magdalena,
daughter of Henry Miller, of Lock Berlin, and they have five children: John H., George
F., William A., Henry M., and Jacob D. In 1855 he bought the Adam Clum property;
in 1868 bought the William Bonell property, and subsequently the David Waldruff farm,
in all having about 450 acres, and raising fruit, hay, grain, and stock. Our subject is
one of the largest farmers in his town, taking an active interest in educational and re-
ligious matters, and has been steward of the M. E. church of Clyde many years.
Hopkins, Burton J., born in Ontario, September 22, 1835. is the third of five sons of
Joseph and Pamelia J. (Nichols) Hopkins, he a native of New Jersey, and she of Con-
necticut. He came to Manchester and then to Pultneyville, where he was married. He
62 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
then came to Ontario and settled on a farm, where he lived fifty-five years, and there
died in November, 1890, aged ninety years, and his wife resides with the subject of this
sketch at the age of ninety-two. Subject was reared on a farm and educated in Mace-
don and Webster Academies. He taught in district school during winter terms from the
time he was eighteen years old until he was married, was engaged in selling nursery
stock and also in the saw mill business, and bought wool in partnership with his brother
Henry for several years. He received a patent for slicing and curing apples in 1880, it
being the first in use. Mr. Hopkins is at present a farmer, and purchased a farm of 111
acres in 1885, where he has since resided. He is a Republican, a member of South
Shore Grange of Ontario, and is now master of the Grange. The family are members
of the Presbyterian church. He married in 1864 Ann E. Sprague, by whom he has had
four children : Archer G, W. Burr, Mary A., and Glenn N. W. Burr graduated from
Phillips Academy. Andover, Mass., in 1893, and is now a student of Brown's College,
Providence, R. I. Archer C. was educated in Palmyra and Macedon Academies. Mary
is a student of Webster Union School.
Hamm, Edson W., was born at Sharon Springs, N. Y., September 18, 1861, was edu-
cated in Macedon Academy, and from there went to the Albany Normal School, and
after teaching two years began the study of law with Hon. Stephen K. Williams at
Newark, N. Y., then went to Washington, D. C, to assist in the republication of the
United States Supreme Court reports. He then took the law course at the National
University of Law at Washington, graduating in 1884, and in 1885 took a post-graduate
course, and returned to Newark and spent a year with Judge Norton, and was admitted
to the bar in 1886, and then entered into partnership with Judge Norton. In 1887 he
terminated that connection and came to Lyons, where he carries on a general practice.
At the age of twenty-eight he married Mary W. Yan Camp, daughter of William Van-
Camp. Subject is recognized as one of the rising men in his profession, giving an earnest
and energetic attention to all business matters.
Hill, Edmund, was born in Junius, Seneca county, May 11, 1835. His father, Peter,
came to Wayne county in 1839, and was a prominent farmer in his town. Edmund re-
ceived his education in the district schools, to which he has added through life by read-
ing and close observation. In 1865 he married Augusta, daughter of William Rein-
hardt, of Pittsfield, Mass., and they are the parents of four children : Theodore W.,
Charles E., Edmund Augustus, and Lena E. In 1879 Mr. Hill inherited his father's
estate of ninety acres, to which he has added by buying adjoining property, and all of
which he has now under cultivation. Our subject is one of the leading men of his town,
taking an active interest in educational and religious matters.
Holdrige, A. J., after a life of more than ordinary interest and adventure in foreign
lands, returned in 1865 to his old home, for the next ten years was on shore and at sea,
and for sixteen years has been an express and freight agent at Savannah. He was born
in Galen, September 16, 1838, a son of Ambrose and Charity Holdridge. His educational
opportunities were limited, and at the age of fifteen he ran away from home and shipped
from Greenport, L. I., on board the whaler Italy in 1854. Off the Aleutian Isles in 1856
she was dismasted in a heavy storm, and after the loss of eleven men finally harbored
in Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, and the cargo of 2,800 barrels of oil and 32,500 pounds
of whalebone was saved intact, then visited a number of the South Sea Islands among
the cannibals. He next shipped in the Sheffield for another whaling cruise, which lasted
eight months, with a net result of 2,200 barrels of oil and 19,000 pounds of whalebone.
Next entering the merchant service he visited all the principal ports of South America,
rapidly passing by various promotions from a common sailor to first mate, which posi-
tion he held on board the Monterey when but twenty-two years of age. During the
war between Peru and Ecuador he was on a blockade-runner, which was on one occa-
sion chased all day by a Peruvian man-of-war without result. At Panama, when in the
passenger steamer service, he had the dreaded chagres fever, and after his recovery
FAMILY SKETCHES. 63
he again entered merchant service, visiting London and other points in the Old World.
In 1863, while on the United States navy ship Aphrodite, he suffered shipwreck off
Cape Lookout, when the ship and twenty-six men were lost, but Mr. Holdridge es-
caped uninjured. After the war he spent several seasons on the lakes, chiefly in sail-
ing vessels, and subject to the usual vicissitudes of a sailor's life, sometimes an officer,
and sometimes before the mast. In 1889 he married Fanny Taylor, of Clyde. Our sub-
ject has been president of the village, trustee, assessor, etc.
Harrington, Eb., is a son of Daniel Harrington, a Wayne county pioneer, who died
at Savannah in 1883. He was in many ways a prominent man in early times, con-
ducted a steam saw mill for a period of fifteen years, and was commissioner of high-
ways for twenty-five years. His wife was Mary A. Fitch, and of her four children two
are now living: Harriet, wife of Ezra Van Duyne, of Savannah ; and Eb., who was born
October 23, 1848, and acquired a good education at a select school at South Butler.
When twenty-four years of age he married Caroline, daughter of the late Herman West-
cott, of Savannah, and their children are : Cynthia, born April 19, 1874, and Eugene
born February 1, 1876. Caroline died February 16, 1886, and Mr. Harrington is now
married to Miss Catharine Fitch, of Savannah, and she has one daughter born March
16, 1894.
Hamilton, David R., was born December 3, 1806, the son of David Hamilton, of
Montgomery county, who died December 7, 1819, at an advanced age. David was one
of a family of nine children, and at the age of eighty- eight now stands the sole living'
representative, in Wayne county of that family. His boyhood was passed in Saratoga
county, coming to Butler in 1828, in September of which year he married Mary Hol-
lister, of Saratoga, by whom he had eight children : William H., born May 13, 1830;
Charles A., born February 3, 1832 ; Melissa, born October 7, 1833 ; Harriet, born April
5, 1835; Mary C, born December 14, 1836; Hollister, born September 30, 1839;
Martha, born February 19, 1841 ; and Frank, born September 24, 1844. Mary Hamil-
ton died, January 22, 1873, and December 24, of that year, he married Harriet, widow
of Oscar F. Coggswell, of Meridian. She had one son, William 0. Coggswell, who
died March 24, 1880, at Detroit, Mich., aged twenty-four years. He was a practicing
physician. Mr. Hamilton was a delegate to the first Republican county convention,
held in Wayne, when he served as secretary. He has served as coroner six years,
justice of the peace four years, and was commissioner of deeds four years. While he
was justice of the peace he had the pleasure of uniting in holy matrimony Mr. John
Bloomingdale and Miss Melissa Watson, both of the town of Wolcott. At last account
they were living happily together in Michigan.
Hotchkiss, H. G., was born in Oneida county, N. Y., June 19, 1810. His father,
Leman Hotchkiss, removed to Phelps, N. Y., in 1811, and became the pioneer merchant
of that region. On his death in 1826, H. G., with his brother L. B., succeeded to his
business, which continued until 1837, when he embarked in extensive milling opera-
tions, sending his flour to the New York markets. There was at that time a small
quantity of peppermint raised in the neighborhood. He secured the oil and sent it to
New York. Finding that the market was largely controlled by adulterators who were
shipping the oil in an impure state to Europe, he decided to commence the manufacture
of a strictly pure article for the European markets. The first consignments were
through George B. Morewood & Co. to London, and through G. Meyer & Sons to Rot-
terdam, in 1839. It soon became greatly appreciated by the consumers. Finding the
lowlands of Lyons, N. Y., admirably adopted to the purpose, he purchased a large
tract of land in 1843, and commenced the extensive cultivation of the plant. He re-
moved there in 1844. His brand has been awarded the first prize medals at the World's
Fairs held in England, Germany, America, France and Austria since 1851 ; and is at
present the leading brand of American essential oils in New York, London, Hamburg,
and all large European markets, as will be noticed in the quotations in all the leading
in LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
drug reports in America and Europe. On his way to the Paris Exposition in 1878 he
stopped in London, and was congratulated by prominent London merchants on the
London Exchange on the excellent reputations of his oils. He replied that if he were
guilty of fraud and adulterations, he would not be there to receive their congratulations.
Each case of oil contains a pamphlet describing the honors awarded to this brand, and
received the highest award of merit at the Columbian Exposition held at Chicago in
1893.
Hall, Aaron, married Polly Warner in 1806 in the town of Amherst, State of Massa-
chusetts, moved to Vernon, Oneida county, in ]810, and moved from there to the town
of Galen, now Savannah, Wayne county, in 1812 and settled on the faim now occupied
by Stephen Sprague. They had eight children, Harriet, the oldest, married Conrad
Sedore, who died in 1872. She had eight children, three of whom are now living. She
resides with her son, Ira B. Sedore at Savannah, and is eighty-seven years of age.
Andrew Hall married Mara Chapin, of Savannah, in 1827. He died in 1841, and his
wife died in 1876. They had five children, three of whom are now living: Aaron,
living about one mile west of Savannah, a farmer ; Andrew S., living in Savannah, an
insurance agent ; and Hattie, living in the State of Illinois. Oscar Hall died in Michi-
gan in 1893. Charlotte Hall married Richard Shears, who died in 1877 in Michigan.
She is living at present in Michigan, and is the mother of five children. Olive Hall mar-
ried Jacob Rex. They live in Steuben county and have three children, all living.
Ellis Hall married Thomas Blasdell, and moved to Michigan. They are both deceased.
Charles Hall married Betsey Howland, both deceased. Sylvia Hall married Stephen
Sprague in 1844, and they live on the homestead. Sylvia was the youngest of the Hall
children, and is now about seventy years of age. She has six children. Polly Hall
after the death of Aaron Hall in 1826, married Stephen Sprague, who died in 1858.
She died in 1882, aged ninety-three. Aaron and Andrew Hall served in the war of the
Rebellion, in Company A, 9th N. Y. Volunteers. Aaron is now sixty years old and
Andrew is fifty-eight.
Harrison, Edwin H., son of Hurum and Jane Jagger Harrison, was born in Ontario.
Wayne county, N. Y., June 16, 1839. His parents, who were natives of Palmyra, and
children of old settlers of that town, came to Ontario about 1830 and located upon a
farm of 100 acres, situated on the Ridge road, which continued to be their home until
their death. The mother died many years since, but the father survived till 1887,
when he died, aged eighty-one years. Edwin H. was reared, and has always lived
upon this farm, which he now owns, and was educated in the schools of Wayne county.
His occupation is general farming and fruit culture. He is an earnest advocate of
temperance, and is ever found supporting the principles of justice and morality. May
12, 1886, he married Lizzie M., daughter of Samuel and Harriet Vaughn, of William-
son, N. Y.
Herendeen, Charles B., of Macedon, was born in this town January 31, 1871, a son
of Charles B., also of this town, born within a short distance of where our subject now
lives. Charles B. married Mary Lapham, daughter of John Lapham, one of the old
settlers of this town, and they had five children: Anna, Hattie (who died aged about
twelve years), Charles, Grace and an infant who died. Charles B. died in 1889, and
his wife in 1874. Our subject owns a farm in Macedon, comprising 140 acres, which
he works according to the latest approved methods. He attended the common schools
and graduated at the Macedon Academy, and is at present a member of the Historical
Society of Macedon. In 1890 he married Stella Post, of Arcadia, and they have one
child, Alice G. Mr. Herendeen is a member of the Grange, and in politics a Republican.
Hall, Aaron F., was born in Savannah, August 26, 1833, the eldest son of Andrew
S. and Maria Hall. He married Sarah, daughter of Joseph and Lucretia Ferris of Sa-
vannah, and they have six children : Frank S., born April 10, 1856, who, with a wife
FAMILY SKETCHES. 65
and two daughters, reside at Marcellus, Mich., where he is engaged in the manufacture
of school furniture; Caleb H., born December 18, 1857, a farmer at Savannah, married,
and has five children ; John A., born April 30, 1859, now a school teacher and farmer
at Bladen, Neb., married and has one son, Vaughn S., born March 30, 1861, married
and has four children, residing at Bladen, Neb., a dealer in coal and lumber; Joseph 0.,
born March 4, 1862, now of Salem, Oregon, married and has two daughters; Oscar F.,
born February 27, 1868, now operating his father's farm, is married and has one son.
Our subject in December, 1863, enlisted in Company A, 9th N. Y. Artillery, and was
honorably discharged two years later. After the war he spent eight years in Michigan
upon a farm, returning to Savannah in 1875, and in 1886 purchased the farm of 11]
acres, lying two miles west of Savannah on the Clyde and Savannah road.
Holmes, Sebastian Durfee, was born in Palmyra, April 9, 1833. His father, Robert,
was a native of Amherst, N. H., and came to Lyons in 1818 with his father, afterward
engaging in the mercantile business. He married a daughter of Major Edward Durfee,
of Palmyra, who served in the war of 1812. S. D. Holmes was educated in the Lyons
Union School and in Rochester, then came to Lyons in 1850 and learned the carriage
business. In August, 1862, he raised Company D, 111th N. Y. Volunteers, going out
with it as captain. He was engaged in the battles at Harper's Ferry, Spottsylvania,
Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, Mine Run and before Petersburg. He was wounded in the
right arm at Gettysburg the last day of the battle, which forced him to resign May 27,
1864, but he returned in the fall and served in the commissary department. He mar-
ried Ellen M., daughter of Zebulon Moore, of Lyons, in October, 1855, and they have
one daughter, Edith. Zebulon Moore was a prominent railroad and canal contractor,
taking the contracts to erect some of the largest structures on the Erie and Welland
Canals, the Great Western Railroad, the Hamilton & Port Dover, London & Port
Stanley Railroad of Canada, and the Iowa Central Air Line. His last large operation
was the construction of the Southern Boulevard in New York city, extending through
the town of Morrisania and West Farms in the county of Westchester, in which work
S. D. Holmes was associated with him and completed the work after his death in 1869.
Mr. Holmes then associated with Charles H. Moore, son of Zebulon, and contracted to
build all bridge structures and station buildings on the line of the Canada Southern
Railroad. In the meantime they bought 1,800 acres of woodland in Canada on the St.
Clair branch of the Canada Southern Railroad, on which they erected saw and stave
mills, two general stores, and cultivate about 800 acres of land, having about 200 cattle
and over seventy-five horses, and while making a specialty of staves and hard wood
lumber, do a general business of a quarter of a million dollars a year. Mr. Holmes still
retains his home in Lyons.
Heck, Augustus, was born in Germany August 2, 1839, son of Philip L. Heck, of
Germany, who came to America in 1848. Two years later he sent for his family. He
was a highly educated man and overseer in a lead mine in Germany. He enlisted in
1861 for three years, was wounded in the battle of Gettysburg and discharged. His
children were : Mrs. Janet Ramish, of Clyde ; Mrs. Caroline Crouse, of Greenbush,
N. Y.; Ernstein (deceased); Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, Henry, Augustus, William and
Alfred. All four brothers were soldiers in the Union army. Our subject enlisted in the
3rd Ohio Cavalry, his principal engagements being Shiloh, Stone River, Chicamauga,
Lookout Mt., Missionary Ridge, and Atlanta. After the war he returned to Huron,
where he has since resided, engaged in the fishing business on Lake Ontario. In 1884
he purchased a farm formerly owned by Daniel Plumb, his wife's father. In 1860 he
married Eliza Ann, daughter of Daniel and Electa (Green) Plumb, who came to Wayne
county in 1820. Mr. and Mrs. Heck have had eight children, of whom six are now
living: Mrs. Mabel Curtis, of Rose; Miss Emma Heck, of Oswego; Mrs. Myrtie
Leroy, of Huron ; Mrs. Maggie Davis, of Huron ; Charles A. Heck, and Mrs. Bertha
Gallagher, of Rochester.
66 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Hoffman, Augustus L., was born in Croghan, Lewis county, August 15, 185G. He with
his father, Frederick, moved to Wayne county in 1863, and in 1864 made his home in
Newark. Augustus L. was educated in Newark Union School. At the age of twenty-
five he married Emma C. Jacoby, daughter of Rev. Levi Jacoby, of Newark, and they
have one son, Levi Fred. After leaving school he learned his father's trade of carpen-
tering, which he followed three years, and in 1875 learned the watchmakers' and
jewelers' business with John E. Stuart, of Newark. In 1881 he removed to Lyons, and
in connection with 0. C. Robinson established the present firm of watchmakers and
jewelers, musical instruments and art pottery, being the leading dealers and carrying
the largest stock in their stores at Lyons and Newark in Wayne county. Mr. Hoffman
is a Republican in politics, was elected trustee of the village in 1890, is also identified in
the leading events of the day and in advancing the best interests of his town, where he
is recognized as a man of sterling character and worth.
Huston, William, born on the Huston homestead in Ontario September 5, 1832, is the
youngest of three sons of Archibald and Laura (Lockwood) Huston, he a native of
Madison county, born January 16, 1799. and she of Penfield, N. Y., born February 8,
1804. Mr. Huston came to Ontario when it was a wilderness and settled on what is
now known as the New Boston road. He bought a farm, cleared a home and built a
log house, having in all 100 acres, fifty of which he sold to our subject. His principal
occupation was farming, but he was a carpenter and joiner by trade. Mr. Huston died
February 25, 1869. Mrs. Huston died in June, 1861. In politics he was a Whig and
Republican, and was justice of the peace and assessor. He was one of the leading
members and supporters of the Baptist church at Ontario Center, which was founded in
1817. He was also deacon in the church, and served in that capacity until his death.
William Huston was reared on the farm and has always been engaged in farming. He
married, December 27, 1854, Mary E., daughter of John and E. Walrod White, of Pen-
field, Monroe count}', he born in 1806, and she in 1808. Mr. White was reared by
William Ross, of Penfield, his father having died when he was quite young. He died
January 16, 1879, and his wife January 7, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Huston have had one
son and one daughter, Emma L., wife of Willis W. Palmer, boot and shoe merchant, of
Yinton, Iowa, and Fred. S., second engineer in the Barber Asphalt Paving Company,
Buffalo, N. Y. His wife is Carrie Parcell, of West Webster. Mr. Huston is now en-
gaged in general farming and fruit growing on ihe farm he bought of his father. In
politics he is a Republican, and they attend and support the M. E. church.
Harding, Rev. John R., was born in Washington, North Carolina, June 30, 1860
His father, Rev. Israel Harding, was a well-known Episcopal clergyman. John R.
graduated from Union College in 1883, and also graduated in 1887 from the General
Theological Seminary of New York and was ordained July 3, 1887, and received a call
from Lyons Grace Episcopal church while assistant minister of the Church of Messiah
of Brooklyn, coming to Lyons in August, 1891. Finding the society involved, has been
able through the force of his character to reduce the obligations against the society and
to arouse a general interest in the welfare of the church. At the age of twenty-seven
he married Catherine, daughter of Hon. John N. Rountree, of Chicago, and they are
the parents of two children, one of whom is now living, Madelaine.
Hartman, William Louis, was born in Theresa, N. Y., October 29, 1864. His father,.
John Hartman, was a prominent farmer and produce dealer of his town. William Louis
Hartman attended the Hungerford Collegiate Institute at Adams, and was graduated
from the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago in 1887. He first located at Ant-
werp, where he remained three and a half years, and then entered the Philadelphia
Hospital and took a post-graduate course. In 1891 he came to Clyde and opened an
office, making a specialty of surgery and the eye and ear. In 1893 he was elected pro-
fessor of eye and ear of South Western Homoeopathic Medical College at Louisville, Ky.,
but declined to accept. He married Miss Lena M. Moore. Dr. Hartman is recognized
FAMILY SKETCHES. 0?
as one of the most advanced members of his profession. He is a member of the Jeffer-
son County Medical Society, the Western New York Medical Society, the New York
State Homoeopathic Society, and the American Institute of Homoeopathy.
Hunt, W. A., was born in the town of Galen, January 21, 1856. His father, Will-
iam S., was a native of Rensselaer county, and came to Wayne county in 1837. W.
A. Hunt was educated in the common schools and finished at the Oneida Conference
Seminary at Cazenovia, N. Y., returning to his father's farm in 1886, entered the
Briggs National Bank as bookkeeper, and was promoted to assistant cashier in 1890.
At the age of twenty-six he married Jennie 0., daughter of Fenner T. Palmer, of
Newark, and they have three children : Lester Palmer, Olive M., and Susan B. Our
subject is identified in advancing the best interests of his town, of which he was elected
treasurer in 1892, and again in 1894. He takes an active interest in educational and
religious matters, being a member and also secretary of the official board of the M. E.
Church, is secretary of the Epworth League, and librarian of the M. E. Sunday school.
Hicks, Frank B., merchant, born in West Walworth, June 23, 1859, married, February
28, 1883, Julia N., daughter of William Eldredge. Mr. Hicks is a son of Elias Hicks,
born in Pleasant Valley, Dutchess county, in 1825, and is descended in the seventh
generation from John Hicks, who settled on Long Island in 1639: His father was first
cousin to Elias Hicks, the renowned Quaker preacher. Elizabeth (Howland) Hicks,
his mother, was born in Dutchess county in 1830 and is a daughter of the late Joseph
M. Howland, a descendent of Henry Howland in the seventh generation. Henry set-
tled in Plymouth, Mass., in 1630. On her mother's side she is descended from Edward
Doty, a passenger on the Mayflower. Mr. Hicks was educated at Macedon Academy
and learned the printer's trade in Rochester. He began his present business in 1883,
and succeeded his father, who began in 1864. Mr. Hicks was the founder of the Mace-
don Centre Historical and Genealogical Society and is its president.
Houston, James, was born in the north of Ireland in 1824 of Scotch descent, son of
John and Elizabeth Houston, who came to Canada about 1842. Their children were :
Andrew, William, James, Mrs. Nancy McBride, Mrs. Mary Ann Vickerman, of Michi-
gan, Mrs. Margaret Abernethy and Patrick While young our subject learned the
weaver's trade of his father, and while in Canada followed farming and lumbering. In
1850 he came to Wayne county, purchased a piece of land, later added to it until he
now owns eighty-four acres of choice land, and is very successful. In 1859 he married
Caroline, daughter of Jonas and Sarah Ann (Gest) Whiting, born in Huron in 1830,
and their children are: Anna E., wife of. Stephen Vernoi, of Butler; Mrs. Mary
Andrews, of North Wolcott, and Mrs. Agner Garner, of Huron. Subject and wife are
members of the Wolcott Grange.
Howard, George M., born in Henrietta, Monroe county, November 4, 1819, is the
second of six children of Eleazer and Matilda Howard, natives of Connecticut, who
went to Monroe county and finally to Ohio and then to Illinois, where they both died.
He was a farmer, and he and his brother were first butchers in Rochester. Subject
was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. ' He went from Monroe
county at the age of twenty-three to Franklin county, Ohio, and there resided until
1881, and came to Marion, where he has since lived. He was married twice; first to
Cordelia Parker, a native of Mexico, N. Y., by whom he had two children, Charlotte
M., deceased, and George D. P. Mrs. Howard died November 9, 1860, and he married
second, in 1864, Maria M. Parker, cousin of his first wife, and daughter of Lucius and
Annie Parker, he a native of Connecticut, and she of Massachusetts. They had three
children. Mr. and Mrs. Parker died in Monroe county. Amos A., brother of Mrs.
Howard, died in the late war. George P., son of subject, married Eliza J. Martin, of
Marion, and they have five children : Archibald E., Viona C, Floyd D., Clive M. and
Mabel M.
68 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Hanby, Joseph H., born in Sodus April 8, 1844, is the oldest of six children of
Charles and Catharine (Gates) Hanby, natives of Yorkshire, England, who came to
Sodus about 1830, where he died in 1886, aged seventy years, and his wife in 1887,
aged seventy-four years. Mr. Hanby had three children by a previous marriage with
Harriet Jackson in England. Our subject was reared on a farm, educated in the com-
mon schools, and followed farming. He came to Williamson in 1879 and in 1886 set-
tled on the farm he now owns of 122 acres, and follows general farming and fruit rais-
ing. He was drafted in 1865 in Company I, 65th N. Y. Infantry, and served until the
close of the war. He is a member of John Hance Post, of Williamson, No. 320. He
married in 1877 Elizabeth Yeomans, a native of Geneva, N. Y., and daughter of George
and Anna Yeomans, natives of England. Mr. Yeomans died in Sodus in 1891, where
his wife still resides. Mr. Hanby and wife have had two children, Charles, who mar-
ried Mary Buckley, of Sodus, and Catharine, wife of William Parkliel, of Williamson,
and resides in Elmira, N. Y,, engaged with the Singer Sewing Machine Company, hav-
ing charge of the office.
Harbou, James B., of Macedon, was born in Canandaigua January 11, 1852, a son of
Fritz Harbou, of Copenhagen, Denmark, who came to this country in 1840. After-
traveling in South America he married Judith Fritcher, daughter of John Fritcher, of
Montgomery county, May 15, 1844, and their children were: Jane M., John W., Mar-
garet, James B., Benetta, George W., and Wilhelmina. He was an architect and
builder, having planned part of the court house in Canandaigua. He enlisted in the
army under Captain Atwood, of Company C, 1st N. Y. I ngineer Corps, and died at
Port Royal Island, S. C, from disease contracted in the army. His wife died in 1862.
Until the spring of 1894 James has always followed farming, but is at present engaged
in no active work. In 1877 he married Helen E. Eldredge, by whom he has had six
children: Lena M., William F., Emma B., Darwin B., Benjamin F. and Helen. Of
these Darwin B., William F , and Helen are deceased. Lena is a student at the Mace-
don Academy. Mr. Harbou is a Granger, and in politics a Republican.
Hibbard, Nettie, is a daughter of Jerome and Achsah Hibbard, of South Butler, is
a business women, being jointly engaged with her brother Fremont in operating the
business established by her late father, well known as the Hibbard Basket Works.
Jerome Hibbard was born in Butler February 20, 1830. In 1853 he married Achsah
Clapp, who survives him. In 1859 he began the study of medicine in the College of
Physicians and Surgeons in New York, from which he graduated in 1861 and was a
practicing physician at Fair Haven at the opening of the war, during which he saw
much hospital service as an assistant surgeon. After the war he began to exercise his
inventive genius, in which direction he possessed wonderful aptitude, securing patents
upon farm gates, and various machinery for simplifying the manufacturing of baskets.
The latter enterprise has from a small beginning grown into an immense business, the
plant now covering two acres, employing twenty-five to forty skilled workmen, and
placing upon the market goods of a standard quality second to none.
Johnson, William R., was born July 21, 1817, in Palmyra. His grandfather, Joseph,
and father, David Johnson, were natives of Morristown, N. J., coming to Palmyra in
the early part of the present century. Joseph, the grandfather, was born September
19, 1757, died December 17, 1825. David, the father of William R., was born January
25, 1791, died April 26, 1874. In 1816 he married Cynthia Rogers, who died June 5,
1835, at the age of forty eight. By this marriage six children were born, five boys and
one girl: William R., Joseph, Harriet, David, Charles D. and Henry M. Joseph died
in infancy, and Harriet at the age of twenty-one; the others still survive, and all reside
in Palmyra, N. Y. David is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, under
the firm name of Drake & Johnson ; Charles D. in the produce and commission trade,
and Henry M. is a dealer in nursery stock. In 1836 he married, for his second wife,
Mrs. Julia Case, and by this marriage two children were born : Caroline, who became
FAMILY SKETCHES. 09
the wife of 0. D. Foster, and Isabella, who married George H. Townsend, both
residing near Palmyra village. For several years David was engaged in custom tailor-
ing, and subsequently located on what is now known as the George Cornwall farm
situated on the town line between Palmyra and Manchester. In the year 1844 Will-
iam R., the subject of this sketch married Lucy Wilson, who with her widowed mother
came from Cornwall, Conn. Soon after marriage they located on the farm now owned
by the David Aldrich heirs, then in the possession of Thomas Rogers. About the year
1849 he, with his brother David, purchased what was then known as the Dugan farm
situated on the Marion road, two miles north of Palmyra, where he has since resided,
having purchased from his brother David his interest in the farm in the year 1851.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were parents of the following children : Carlton R., William H.,
George S., Harriet S., Charles H., and Lucy M. Carlton died at the age of twenty-
three while pursuing a course of study at Yale College. William, with his younger
brother Charles, who married Catharine Hathaway, occupy the home farm; George
married May C. Foster, is a shoe merchant in Palmyra village, of the firm of Johnson &
Rogers; Harriet married Henry A. Rumrill, and resides in the village; Lucy May mar-
ried John H. Walton, and lives on a farm one mile northwest of Palmyra village.
After a marriage life of forty-seven years Mrs. William R. Johnson passed quietly and
peacefully away, January 18, 1891, at the age of sixty-nine.
Hance, De Witt C, was born in Williamson, April 26, 1843. He was educated in
the common schools and Marion Collegiate Institute. He owns 130 acres of land, and
follows general farming and fruit raising. He was master of the Williamson Grange
ten years, of which he was a charter member. January 1, 1879, he married Mary,
daughter of Richard Whitbourn, by whom he has had four children : Samuel R., Harriet
I., Elizabeth C, and John S. The father of our subject, Benjamin J. Hance, was born
in Farmmgton, Ontario county, October 11, 1815, the oldest of eight children of Samuel,
born in 1781, and Margaret (Pound) Hance. The great-grandfather, Benjamin, born
in 1759, was a native of Calvert county, Md., and came to Ontario county in 1802. His
wife was Sarah Dare, by whom he had five children. The family was of English
descent, and settled in Maryland in 1680. Samuel Hance died in 1872, aged ninety-one
years, and his wife in 1880, aged ninety-two. Our subject was reared on a farm and
educated in the common schools. He has always been a farmer, and owns seventy-five
acres of land. He married, August 15, 1839, Phoebe Ridgway, a native of New Jer-
sey, by whom he has had four children : Samuel, killed at Reams Station in the late
war; John, who was in the same regiment, and died of disease contracted in the ser-
vice; De Witt C, a farmer of Williamson; Frank, who resides in California. He was
supervisor of his town, first elected in 1860, and held the office until 1874, was justice of
the peace four years, and is a member of the Williamson Grange.
Jordan, E. T., was born in Columbia county in 1837, and came with his parents in the
same year to Macedon, where they lived eight years. They next removed to their
present farm of sixty acres, which they purchased of Nathan Durfee. John and Marga-
ret A. Jordan, parents of our subject, were born in Columbia county. The father died
in 1889, and the mother resides with her son, E. T. Jordan. The latter married in 1886
Agnes P. Yosburg, from Columbia county, and their children are: William, born in
1869, now a resident of Newark, O.; John A., teacher in Ontario, who resides at home ;
Mrs. Jordan died in 1876, and he married second in 1889 Jane M. Miller, also from
Columbia county.
Johnson, William R., was born July 21, 1817, in Palmyra, a son of David and Cynthia
Johnson, who located here at an early day. His father, David, was born in Rhode
Island and came with his parents to Palmyra. He followed the occupation of a tailor
during the early part of his life, and. then located on a farm sn the town of Manchester,
near Palmyra village. His first wife, mother of our subject, died at the age of forty-
eight years, and for his second wife he married Mrs. Julia Case. His children by his
70 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
first wife were, viz. : William R. ; Joseph, who died in infancy ; Harriet, who died at
the age of twenty-one years ; David, a resident of Palmyra village, engaged in the
furniture trade; Charles D., produce dealer, also a resident of Palmyra village; and
Henry M.. a dealer in nursery stock. By his second wife he had two children, viz. :
Caroline, wife of Dwight Foster, of East Palmyra; and Isabelle, wife of George Town-
send, near Palmyra village. William R. married Lucy Wilson, who, with his widowed
mother, came from Connecticut. After marriage they moved' on the farm now occupied
by the David Aldrich family. Subsequently he. in company with his brother David,
bought the farm where he now resides (about 1849), and where he has since resided.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were the parents of the following named children, viz. : Carlton
R., who died in his twenty-third year, while a student (his last year) in Yale College;
William H. ; George S., shoe dealer of Palmyra village ; Hattie S., wife of Henry Rum-
rill, of Palmyra village ; Charles H. ; Lucy May, wife of John Walton, of Palmyra. The
mother of the aforesaid children died January 18, 1891.
Jordon, William H., was born in Columbia county, February 9, 1817. His father,
Daniel Jordon, was also a native of Columbia county, born May 17, 1791, and his
mother, Polly Hoffman, was born August 18, 1705. Mr. Jordon, the father, settled in
Macedon in 1841, and engaged in farming. His family consisted of nine children, in-
cluding William H., who is now seventy- seven years of age. William H. Jordon has
followed the same occupation as his father, and has been engaged in farming all his life.
In 1871 he married Delia A. Troop, of Port Gibson. They are members of the Baptist
church. Mr. Jordon is a Republican.
Jepson, Charles B., was born in Madison county in 1825. and is the son of Eli Jepson,
a native of Vermont (born in 1794, and died in 1858), and Mary (Burlington) Jepson
(born in 1796, and died in 1865), a native of Rhode Island. Our subject married Cyn-
thia Badger in 1848 at Cicero, Onondaga county, of which she was a native, born in
1828, They have had two sons: Eli, born in 1849; and William, born in 1874, both
residents of this place, where Mr. Jepson has resided for forty years without interrup-
tion. He is a Knight Templar, and has been treasurer of Lodge No. 764 for twelve
years. He is now retired from business, and he and wife occupjr a pleasant home on
Main street. He has been president of Savannah village three years.
Jennings, Henry, was born in Southport, Fairfield county, Conn., February 5. 1821,
and at the age of twelve came with his father, Joshua, to Ontario county in 1832, set-
tling in the town of Phelps on a farm. Henry was educated in the common schools,
being able to attend school only during the winter time. At the age of twenty-two he
married Mary, daughter of John Humphrey, of Phelps, Ontario county, and they are
the parents of two sons, John H. and Burr. In 1867 he came to Lyons, and in 1868
bought the S. D. Westfall farm of 208 acres, raising hay, grain and stock, and making
a specialty of mint distilling, producing from 1,500 to 3,000 pounds a year. He has
also engaged in cidermaking. Our subject is one of the largest and most success-
ful farmers in his town, taking an intelligent interest in educational and religious mat-
ters.
Jennings, Loren, born in Ontario, Wayne county, June 21, 1822, is the sixth of a
family of six sons and six daughters of Dauiel and Polly (Clarke) Jennings, he a native
of Burlington, Vt., she of Coleraine, Mass. Mr. Jennings in 1810 bought the home-
stead of fifty acres; he afterward bought of Joel Sabin fifty acres east of his first pur-
chase, and in 1828 built a saw mill, where many thousand feet of lumber were annually
sawed. Aside from farming he did much work as carpenter and millwright. In politics
he was a Whig, and later a Republican. He died in 1868, his wife in 1862. His place
is now owned by Mrs. Mary Palmer and heirs, and is situated on the Lakeside road.
His son, Loren Jennings, was born and raised on the homestead farm, assisted in clear-
ing land, farming, and running the saw mill, which, with the dozen other mills on the
FAMILY SKETCHES. 71
same stream, was supplied with logs from the adjoining heavy timbered land. He
bought forty acres south of and adjoining the old homestead, cleared and built a log
house and set out an orchard amidst the stumps. Some of the trees of this orchard are
yet in bearing, and a few measure over six feet in circumference. Later Loren Jennings
bought fifty acres across the road which had formerly been owned by his brother
Charles. On this he built his permanent dwelling, where he still resides. He married Oc-
tober 21, 1849, Rosetta B. Grinnell, of Webster, by whom he had one son, Wellington M.,
who is now assistant superintendent in the Barber Asphalt Paving Company of Buffalo^
N. Y. Mrs. Jennings died in 1851, and he married second, Sarah O. daughter of
William and Mary (Hinman) Huston, he of Rupert, N, Y., she of Clinton, Oneida
county, N. Y. By his wife, Sarah O, he had two sons and three daughters. The
daughters died young. Walter S. is a bookkeeper for the Barber Asphalt Company,
and Fred. L. is foreman at the crusher for the same company. Four years ago, on ac-
count of disability, Mr. Jennings retired from farming. He still lives on the place, but
it is worked by a tenant. On the farm are raised hay, grain, and fruits. The land is
rolling and with a variety of soil which adapts it for mixed farming. With the sur-
rounding pleasing scenery, a fair view of the blue waters of old Ontario, it is picturesque
and beautiful. Many Indian arrow heads are picked up by laborers in the fields. There
was in earlier days a tangle of uprooted trees, forming a deer thicket on the farm, and
often when the deer were driven by hunters from shelter they would take to the lake
for safety in its waters, but many were there shot and brought to shore. In politics
Mr. Jennings is Republican, his first presidential vote being cast for William H. Har-
rison. He was a charter member of the old Ontario Center Grange, and instigator and
founder of South Shore Grange No. 552, to which order he and his wife still belong.
Though in sympathy with present forms of religion, as far as it goes to enlighten, en-
noble, and better the condition of the human race, both he and his wife are independ-
ent in their beliefs.
Jones, Harvey, was born in Webster, October 17, 1830, the oldest son of twelve
children born to Chester and Hannah (Millard) Jones, he a native of Connecticut, and
she of Rhode Island. They came to Webster in an early day, where they both died.
Our subject was educated in the common schools, has been a saw mill man, has been
engaged in mercantile business at Union Hill, also a dealer in lumber two years and
coal twelve years. He is now engaged in farming, has eighty acres of land, and fol-
lows general farming and fruit raising. He is a Democrat, has been justice of the peace
five years, and is now serving his second term as assessor. He and wife are members
of the M. E. church. He married in 1851 Orlena M. Milliman, a native of New York,
and adopted daughter of Amos Wager, of Webster, N. Y. Mr. Jones and wife have
had three children : Zardus, died in infancy ; Eva, wife of Rosman Dayton, by whom
she has four children : Frank J., Harvey E., Allen R., and Annie A.; Chester, H., who
married Nettie Niveson, by whom he has two children : Elmer C. and Esda N. The
maternal grandfather of our subject was a captain in the Revolutionary War. His name
was Samuel Millard, aged 81 when he died.
Johnson, J. Irvin, was born August 15, 1852. His father, William S. Johnson, was
a native of Manchester, N. Y., he was born in 1817. His occupation was that of a
farmer. He married Ann M. Slocum, of Adams, Mass., who lived at the time of their
marriage in Monroe county. In 1864 they removed to the town of Macedon, where he
resided at the time of his death in 1893. They were the parents of two children : J.
Irvin Johnson, and Mary Frances, now Mrs. Thomas Maculey, who resides on the old
Johnson homestead. J. Irvin was a farmer up to the time he engaged in the nursery
business. In 1883 he married Emma A. Hanna, of Palmyra, N. Y. She died in 1891,
leaving no children. In 1893 he married his second wife, May A. Hannah, daughter of
the late Dr. Geo. W. Hanna, of Mendon, N. Y. He first advertised in 1882, known to
the trade as Brook Side Nurseries, making a specialty of small fruits and other fine
72 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
nursery stock. He also has several evaporators, doing immense business summer and
fall in berries and apples. He has at present from 25 to 35 acres of choice nursery
stock. He is a shipper to all parts of the United States. His trade is mostly whole-
sale, and his customers are the leading firms of this country. His home and surroundings
is one of the finest in the county, and through his close application to business and
honorable dealing he has won the respect and confidence of those whom he has delt
with. In politics he is a Republican, and a member of the Grange. Mary F. Maculey
was born November 2, 1844, in the town of Manchester. In 1875 she married Thomas
Maculey, of Manchester, and to them were born three children : William, Charles, and
Lula. Charles died in infancy. Mrs. Maculey 's occupation is that of farming and berry
culture.
Kennedy, Charles R., was born in Camden, N. J., July 28, 1864. His father, Thomas
G., was a prominent electrician in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Com-
pany. Charles R. was educated in Clyde and in New York, after which he entered the
employ of a banking house in Wall street, New York. In 1888 he entered the employ
of John C. Lloyd & Co., importers and jobbers of coffees, as head bookkeeper, and in
1888 came to Clyde and engaged in the malting business, in which he is now engaged,
having an average output of 100,000 bushels of malt per year. At the age of twenty-
five he married Juliette C, daughter of Hon. James C. Lamoreaux.
Kellogg. Edward H., is the only son of Dr. A. D. Kellogg, of Wolcott, born Decem-
ber 22, 1855. He attended Leavenworth Institute at Wolcott, and received an academic
education. He spent two years traveling in the West after leaving school. Returning
to Wolcott he entered the law office of J. W. Hoag, and was admitted to the bar in
June, 1881. In 1888 he married Mary Lillian, daughter of the late Wilson Dewitt, of
Wolcott, who became the mother of two sons and one daughter. Mr. Kellogg is a
strong Republican, and besides a good legal practice is occupied with the duties of police
justice of Wolcott village, and justice of the peace of the town. He was clerk of the
Board of Supervisors four years, from 1889 to 1892 inclusive. He was also for several
years secretary of the Republican Committee of Wayne county.
Kellecutt, Charles Boynton, was born in Huron, August 23, 1852, a son of George,
a native of Saratoga county, born April 7, 1807, who was a son of David Kellecutt. a
native of Osweeo county. George was a farmer, and came to Huron about 1837. He
married twice, first, Delilah Brooks, by whom he had five children : Zilpha, Margaret,
Charlotte, Caroline, and Delilah. His second wife was Mrs. Abigail (Boynton) Preston,
and subject was their only child. They raised two children: Catherine A., and Caroline
A., the infant twin daughters of the dead patriot, Daniel Keeslar, of Huron. They are
now Mrs. D. H. Evans, and Mrs. P. Winans, of Barry county, Mich. Mr. Kellecutt
died in November, 1892, and his wife in January, 1883. Our subject is a prominent
man in his town, owns the homestead farm of sixty acres, and makes a specialty of
fruit growing. In 1873 he married Alice S., the fourth of seven children of William G.
and Sarah (Roberts) Guthrie, and they have one child, Eva Mae, born January 19,
1878. Mr. Kellecutt and wife are members of the Wolcott Grange, in politics he is a
Republican, and has served as collector one term, inspector, and justice of the peace.
Keller, Jacob, was born in Cherry Yalley, Otsego county, March 17, 1799. His
parents were Germans. He came to Newark, Wayne county, in 1825. He was first a
hatter by trade, then a farmer. He owned a good farm and was one of the substantial
men of the town. He retired from business in the year 1870 and for his third wife
married Miss Amanda Vanderbilt, of Lyons, N. Y., May 17, 1876. Mr. Keller died
July 4. 1884. Mrs. Keller's father, Abram H. Vanderbilt, was born in New Jersey
August 7, 1798, of Holland Dutch descent, and came to Lyons, Wayne county, at the
age of fourteen years. He married Julia A. Pat on, daughter of William Paton, April
16, 1820. They. had ten children: Sarah A., Amanda, Mary, Elizabeth, William, John,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 73
Abram, Helenah, Newell, Julia. Mr. Vanderbilt died October 22, 1841. His wife
died April 3, 1872. William Paton came from Scotland and settled in Lyons, Wayne
county, in the year 1794. He married Eleanor Van Wickle March 15, 1801. They
had four children : John, Julia A., Evert, Mary. Mr. Paton died September 2, 1843.
His wife died May 14, 1815. Abram Vanderbilt, jr., was born at Lyons May 31, 1835,
was educated in the district schools and the Union School at Lyons. He followed
farming several years. December 22, 1859, he married Jennie A. Sparks, of Galen.
They had three children : Emily J., Oscar T., Cora L. Mr. Vanderbilt enlisted August
22, 1862, in Company D, 138th N. Y. Vol., which was transferred to the 9th Heavy
Artillery. He was wounded at Cold Harbor, his jaw being shattered, and was on the
field three days without food or water. He received an honorable discharge from the
hospital at Washington January 31, 1865. He is a member of Vosburg Post No. 99,
G. A. R.
Koester, George W., was born in Rochester, N. Y., October 18, 1863. His father,
Charles, came from Alsace-Lorraine in 1860. He first settled in Rochester, but soon
came to Lyons and engaged in the brewing business, acquiring a wide reputation for
business ability. George W. was educated in the Lyons Union School, and is a gradu-
ate of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, and after graduating established a man-
ufacturing wholesale and retail drug business, making a specialty of fine perfumes and
toilet articles. At the age of twenty- eight he married Elizabeth, daughter of Cornelius
Haitz, of Lyons. He is a Republican and was elected town clerk in 1888-1889 ; in
1893 was elected president of the village of Lyons, and in 1894 was elected supervisor
of his town. Our subject is one of the best known men in his town, of recognized
business ability, taking an active interest in educational and public matters and identi-
fied in the leading events of the day. He has been master of Humanity Lodge, E. &
A. M. two years, is a member of Newark Chapter Royal Arch Masons, and Zenobia
Commandery, Knights Templar. He is a man whose life has proven his word to be as
good as his bond.
Kinney, W. H., was born at Belfast, Allegany county, April 27, 1856. His father
David, is a nati e of Union, Conn., whose ancestors came from Holland in the middle
of the seventeenth century. He married Esther A. Hanks, whose family came from
Birmingham, England, in 1700 and settled in Plymouth colony. He is a farmer.
W. H. Kinney began his education in Genesee Valley Seminary at Belfast, N. Y., grad-
uated at Genesee Normal School in 1876 and Rochester University in 1880. In 1881
he was principal of the Victor public school, from 1881 to 1888 was principal of the
Cuba Union School at Cuba, N. Y., and in 1888 came to Lyons as principal of the Lyons
Union School, having an average attendance of 806 pupils, which is an increase of 200
since 1888, the academic department having nearly doubled during that time. At the
age of twenty-six he married Annie, daughter of Joel Macafee, of Athens, Pa. They
are the parents of two children, Price W. and Edith. Our subject is identified in
advancing the best interests of his town, and in the leading events of the day.
Kline, Mrs. Rebecca (Petersen), was born in St. Magnus, Germany, in 1821, daughter
of Henry and Johannah Petersen, and is one of seven children. She came to America
in 1847, starting from Germany, the first day of May and landed in New York the
twelfth day of June. On July 3 of the same year she married Lewis Kline, who was
born in Hanover, Germany, in 1820. They staid on Staten Island until June, 1848,
then they came to Clyde on a canal boat, thence to Huron, where they engaged with
Benjamin Lummis on a farm. Eight years later he purchased a farm, added to it aud
provided each of their children with farms. Their children are: Lewis, born in 1848;
Henry, born in 1849; Aaron, born in 1852 ; John, born in 1856 ; Max, born in 1857 ;
Matie, born in 1862, wife of Andrew Thomas, of Huron. Mr. Kline was a member of
the Huron Grange and died in 1893. Mrs. Kline is a lady highly esteemed by all who
know her and is also a member of the Huron Grange,
j
74 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Kelley, Albert E., M. D., was born in lone City, California, December 24, 1864, and
came to Arcadia with his parents when three years old. He was educated in the
Union School and Academy at Newark, studied medicine with Dr. Landon and attended
lectures in the medical department of the University of the City of New York, gradu-
ating from that institution in 1891. He practiced in Rochester until 1893, when he
opened an office here and has a successful practice. His father, Charles H. Kelley, was
born in Chatham, Columbia county, October 29, 1823 He was educated in the select
schools of his day, and graduated from Geneva Medical College in 1850. He went to
California, where he followed his profession some time, and returned October 7, 1858.
He married Josephine E. Ostrander, of Oneida county, and returned to California.
They had two sons and two daughters : Charles L., who is a civil engineer in Mexico ;
Carrie, who died in infancy ; Albert E., as above, and Genevieve I., who married Ray
Burleigh and resides in the town. The family returned to this locality in 1866. Our
subject's father is a retired physician at East Newark. Dr. Albert E. is the health
physician of the town of Arcadia.
Kellogg, A. D., who has practiced medicine here nearly fifty years, was born in 1818
at Ira, Cayuga county, N. Y. His father, Silas Kellogg, was a man of much local
prominence, supervisor of Ira for a number of years, and died in 1862, at the age of
seventy-three Our subject acquired a medical education at Geneva, and began homeo-
pathic practice in 1847. He married in 1848 Araminta V., daughter of Ebenezer Cur-
tis, of Victory, Cayuga county, N. Y. Their children are: Alice M., born October 19,
1849, now the wife of E. L. Cooper, of Williamson ; Day H., born January 21, 1852,
died December 10, 1875 ; Lida V., born March 17, 1854 ; and Edward H., whose biog-
raphy appears elsewhere in this volume. Ebenezer Curtis, father of Mrs. Kellogg, was
a man of considerable renown in his native place, besides being a justice and super-
visor he was elected to the Assembly in 1847. He died in 1884 at the age of ninety-
one.
Legg. Orsborn Lafayette, was born in Speedsville, Tompkins county, September 27,
1845. His father, Lyman, was a son of Lyman Legg, and came to Wayne county in
1849. His wife was Sarah Blinn, and their children are: Mary, wife of William J.
Harmon, of Rochester, Orsborn L., Edward, and Delancey. At the age of fourteen
our subject began life for himself. When twenty-one years of age he learned the ma-
son's trade and followed it in different States until 1890, when he came to Huron,
where he has since been engaged in farming. In 1869 he married Hulda, daughter of
John and Marv A. Brown, of Huron, and they have one son, Irving, born September
5, 1874.
Lent, J. H., was born in Otsego county, N. Y., December 3, 1830. He settled on a
farm in the town of Macedon, March 28, 1863, and has been engaged in farming all his
life. His farm consists of 102 acres, fifteen acres being woodland. In 1863 he mar-
ried Susan K. Jackson, daughter of B. H. J. Jackson, of Macedon. They are the par-
ents of seven children, all of whom, except the elder two, are living: at home with their
parents. Mr. Lent is a member of the M. E. church. In politics he is a Democrat.
Lane, Charles, was born April 27, 1852, a son of Francis B., one of the prominent
farmers in the town, and now resides on the same farm which was cleared by Ziba
Lane, his grandfather. The latter was born in 1789 in Maine, and after the War of
1812, at the age of twenty-five, he came to Wayne county, this State, making his way
through the forest with his yoke of cattle and wagon containing his family and goods.
Here he located on lot 80 and built a log cabin, making his chimney of sticks and mud
and filling the spaces between the logs with mud. A blanket served as a door, and
greased cloths were their only window glass. Ziba felled the first tree that was cut in
this region, and many are the interesting stories handed down to his family of the hard-
ships endured that first year. His son, Francis, has added largely to the original estate,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 75
having bought the farms of Luther Lane, Levi Lane, Michael Hortzel, Peter Snyder, and
H. W. Putney, some of the best farm lands in Wayne county, as well as being one of
the largest producers of fruit, hay, grain and stock. Francis married Martha, daughter
of Samuel Spear of Valatie, Columbia county, and of their four children Charles is the
only survivor, and manages the estate. Ziba Lane, great-grandfather of Charles, "was
born in Bedford, Mass., in 1756, and married in 1778 Lydia Danforth, of Billerica,
Mass. They came to this State in 1814, coming from England to this country in 1620.
Lookup, William, born in Marion, February 26, 1820, is the son of John and Sarah
Lookup, he a native of England, and she of Rhode Island. He came to America and
afterwards returned to England. The mother remained in Marion, where she died No-
vember 29, 1843. Mr. Lookup commenced work very young. He has always lived on
a farm and now owns 127 acres of land. He served his town as road commissioner
from 1877 to 1886. He was married twice, first to Eliza Garlock in 1844, a native of
Fort Plain, N. Y., and daughter of Jacob Garlock. To them five children were born,
one died in infancy. The others are: Sarah (deceased), wife of Jacob Morrison, by
whom she had five children ; George, who married Delia Crouch, and has six children ;
William H. who married Nellie Kitchen, and has one child, Eva; Eliza, wife of Fay-
ette Davies, by whom she has five children. The four children who grew up were edu-
cated at the Marion Collegiate Institute. Both sons are farmers, William having been
engaged for a time in produce dealing. Mr. Lookup was the second time married to
Mrs. Helen Delaney, April 7, 1859, who died suddenly November 14, 1874.
Lovejoy, Nelson, has for almost fifty years been a central figure in the life of North
Wolcott. He was born in the town of Ross, June 14, 1823, the son of Silas and Anna
(Nochols) Lovejoy, most of whose married life was spent in that town and who reared
a family of seven children. Silas Lovejoy reached the age of eighty-six years, and his
son bids fair to present a similar case of longevity. February 11, 1844, he married
Charity, daughter of Richard D. Morey, of Rose, and of their six children but two are
living : Ellen, the wife of N. J. Field, and the only son, Eron N. Two children died
in early infancy, and two daughters, Theresa and Elizabeth, are also deceased.
Landon, Dr. Newell E., was born in Newark, March 3, 1852, was educated in the
Union School and the Academy, and read medicine with Dr. Pomeroy. Later he at-
tended lectures at the College of Physicians\fc Surgeons of New York city, from which
he graduated in 1876. "Upon his return he formed a partnership with Dr. Pomeroy,
which existed four years, when he began practice on his own account. He is a mem-
ber of the Wayne County Medical Society, the Central New York Medical Society, the
New York State Medical Association, and of the American Medical Association. He
is also a member of the National Association of Railway Surgeons, division surgeon
of the West Shore Railroad, and also of the Pennsylvania Central Railway Company,
and consulting physician of the Custodial Asylum of Newark. He is a member of
Newark Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M. , of Newark Chapter No. 1 17, R. A. M. He married,
January 1, 1880, Mary E. Eaton, of Newark, who died December, 1881. October 20,
1886, he married Alice Russell, of Port Gibson, Ontario county.
Laird, John B., of Savannah, was born in Elbridge, April 24, 1833, a son of Chauncey
B. and Sally (Adams) Laird, and one of their twelve children. His grandparents, John
and Polly (Boyd) Laird, were among the first settlers of that place. Our subject was
educated at Falley Seminary, Cazenovia Seminary, and the Collegiate Institute at El-
bridge, and he taught school with success at Jordan and Baldwinsville. March 22,
1858, he married Sarah A., daughter of Daniel Bates, of Jordan, a graduate of Jordan
Academy, who was a successful teacher for eleven years, chiefly at Jordan, Memphis
and Elbridge. Mr. and Mrs. Laird have occupied their present home on the farm,
comprising 160 acres, a mile north of Savannah, for over twenty-six years, Mr. Laird's
specialties being dairy productions, poultry and eggs, which latter he ships to Bridge-
port, Conn.
7(5 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Lake, Luther S., was born in Guilderland, Albany ccunty, October 17, 1864, gradu-
ated from the Paterson, N. J., Business College in 1883 and struck out in life for him-
self. He came to Lyons in May, 1885, with less than a dollar of capital, and entered
the employ of Mann & Radder as bookkeeper. He was afterwards employed in the
same capacity by George Mapes, Charles fl. Radder and Louis E. Wolfe. In March,
1888, he purchased the fire insurance agency of Johnson & Rogers and founded the
general insurance, real estate and loan agency of L. S. Lake & Co. at No. 65 William
street. He associated with himself in business Charles A. Pulver, of Sodus, and War-
ren W. Crittenden, of Phelps, the latter member retiring from the firm in 1890, and
being succeeded by Lizzie S. Lake. At the age of twenty-three he married Lizzie S.,
daughter of Frank Smith, of Lyons. Our subject is recognized as one of the most
energetic business men of his town, identified in advancing its best interests and deeply
interested in the leading events of the day.
Lapham, Stephen W., was born in 1834 on the farm where he now resides. His
father, John Lapham, born in 1791, was a native of Massachusetts, coming with his
parents to this locality in 1792. In 1818 he married Salome Porter and settled on the
farm now owned and occupied by his son. In 1847-48 Mr. John Lapham was a mem-
ber of the Legislature. His family consisted of ten children, four of whom are now
living : Esther A. Hill, of Buffalo, Elizabeth N., Stephen W. and Ellen C. Wilcoxen.
Stephen W. Lapham has always followed farming and is still in possession of the old
homestead of 170 acres. In October, 1858, he married Helen M. Arnold, of Madison
county. In politics Mr. Lapham is a Republican.
Lawrence, Walter, was born in New Jersey, November 21, 1825. His father,
Walter Lawrence, sr., was also a native of that State, and was a carpenter, following
his trade in New York city for a time, while he lived in New Jersey. Later he came
to Farmington, Ontario county, to reside, and afterwards to Macedon, where he took
up farming. He married Susan Johnson, of New Jersey, by whom he had nine chil-
dren, of whom Walter, jr., was the sixth. The latter has been engaged in farming all
his life, and at present owns eighty-nine acres of fine land, being largely engaged in
fruit raising. He married Phoebe F. Fritts, a native of Orange county, where they
were married, and to them have been born nine children. In politics Mr. Lawrence is
a Republican.
Lyon, Samuel, was born in Port Chester, N. Y., August 16, 1837. He is the oldest
of the three children of William and Elizabeth A. Lyon. William Lyon was born in
June, 1811, in the town of Greenwich, Conn., and died December 16, 1859. Elizabeth
A. (Sands) Lyon, his wife, was born in Newcastle, Westchester county, N. Y., May 28,
1813, and now resides at Port Chester, N. Y. Samuel Lyon was reared in the village of
Port Chester, N. Y., and in 1867 came to Pultneyville, in the town of Williamson, and
engaged in the mercantile business, and later was engaged in the importation'and manu-
facture of lumber at Pultneyville, N. Y., and afterwards was interested in the manu-
facture of woolen goods at Port Byron, N. Y. Mr. Lyon is a Republican in politics,
and has been a justice of the peace for twenty years. He was married April 22, 1868,
to Georgiana Allen, a daughter of the late Alfred Allen, of Pultneyville, and formerly
of Cayuga county, N. Y. Mr. Lyon was educated in the select schools of his native
town, and Friends' Nine Partners Boarding School in Dutchess county, N. Y., and Mrs.
Lyon is a graduate of the Brockport Collegiate Institute at Brockport, N. Y.
Long, Charles, was born in Pennsylvania, April 25, 1826, a son of Charles Long, who
came to Seneca county in 1829, residing at various times in the towns ofWaterloo, Fayette,
Seneca Falls, and Tyre, settling in Galen in 1844. In 1861 he was struck and killed by
an express train at Savannah, being then seventy-one years of age, and with hearing
much impaired. Charles Long's early education was acquired in the common schools,
to which he has added by reading and close observation, being a self-made man. After
FAMILY SKETCHES. 77
leaving school he returned to his father's farm, of which he took charge at the age of
sixteen. At the age of twenty-seven years he married Martha A., daughter of Josiah
Snyder, of Savannah, and they have four children : Mrs. C. 0. Wylie; Mrs. F. S. Hall ;
Mrs. John H. Newton; and Mrs. John H. Rose. Mrs. Martha A. Long died in 1886,
a woman widely known for her Christian traits of character. In 1890 Mr. Long mar-
ried Frances A., daughter of Ira Davis, of Savannah. Our subject is one of the promi-
nent men of the town, having held the office of assessor three years, and taking intelli-
gent interest in all the leading questions of the day.
Lang, Philip, was born in Al*ace, Germany, in 1806. In 1832 he came to the United
States with his parents and five sisters, and settled on the farm where he now resides.
At the age of thirty-two years he married Miss Margaret Wagner, daughter of Henry
Wagner, of Galen. There were five children born to them, three of whom are now
living: Mrs. Caroline Wiseman, of Ontario, Cal. ; Geo. H., of Galen ; and Miss Elizabeth,
who resides with her father on the old homestead. Later he married Miss Minnie
Grosscup, his former wife having died in 1849. The children of this marriage are:
Philip, jr. (deceased) ; Mrs. Mary Unger, of Buffalo ; and Mrs. Minnie Eller, of Chicago,
after the birth of whom his second wife died also. He is a man of sterling worth,
whose counsel and advice is often sought by his friends and neighbors. He takes an
active interest in educational and religious matters, and is one of the largest farmers of
Wayne.
Little, Henry M., was born December 8, 1853, in Macedon. John Little, his father,
was born in 1819. His occupation was farming and drover, handling cattle, sheep,
hogs, etc. For nearly twenty years of his early life he shipped stock to the New York
markets from many different States. He held the office of justice of the peace two terms
in Murray. In 1851 he married Harriet T. Allen, by whom he had three children:
Henry M., our subject; Emma; and Mary; the latter being deceased. Our subject is
engaged in farming, and the breeding of blooded stock, also in the drug business. He
was educated at Hulberton and Macedon, where he finished. He has been commissioner
of highways, and for the last two years has been president of the village. He has been
vice-president of the Trotting Horse Breeders' Association of the State of New York
for seven years, has many times acted as judge on stock at prominent fairs in the State,
and is a member of the A. 0. U. W., and the Knights of the Maccabees. He married
in 1875, and has two children : Allen T., and Mable D.
Loveless, Ransom, born in Wolcott (now Butler), Wayne county, N. Y., February,
28, 1818, is the son of Ransom Loveless, who was born in Montgomery county, N. Y.,
1791, and came to Onondaga county, N. Y., 1800, an orphan; there accumulated $500 ;
married Mary Hodges, moved to Allegany county, N. Y., lost all of his property, came
to Wolcott (now Butler, Wayne county), in 1816, and by his indomitable will and
energy accumulated $45,000 at death, August 1, 1864. Ransom Loveless, jr., being the
elder of ten surviving children (three others having died about two years of age) saw
many hardships and privations, especially obtaining of rudiments of an education, which
was wholly neglected until twenty years of age, then seeing and feeling the want of an
education, began the acquisition of same by attending school in Butler, Victory, Red
Creek, all in Wayne county; Elbridge. Onondaga county, and Cazenovia, Madison
county (all of which places are in New York). In 1884 commenced the study of law
at Lyons, Wayne county, N. Y\, soon abandoned same because of poor health. Dur-
ing intervals attending school at the above places, taught school, taught four winters
afterwards and after marriage. August 17, 1845, married Jane M. Lamoreux, who was
born in Putnam county, N. Y., October 14, 1818, and same year moved to Michigan,
taught school during winter, returned in spring, followed farming summers, teaching
winters until 1852, when he abandoned teaching and followed farming to date, August
2, 1894. Having owned and disposed of 356 acres of land, and now owns forty-three
acres. Have made building and set orchards, needless to mention. Having been born
78 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
and bred to manhood in ignorance; at that date he knew little of politics, and was car-
ried along and believed as his father did, who was at first a Republican, anti-Mason,
Whig, and lastly a Republican again. With the lights before him now he stands a Jef-
fersonian Democr. t, except as to a revision of our present banking system, his views of
which remain '"lex non scripta."
McGinniss, Michael, is the son of James and Bridget (Whalen) McG-inniss, of County
Meath, Ireland, who were married, May 8, 1853, and immediately sailed for America,
coming to Montezuma, Cayuga county, where subject was born March 8, 1854. The
elder McGinniss received a collegiate education in Dublin. He came to Savannah in
1857, and died here September 24, 1878, and his wife died June 12, 1892. They
left a family of six sons and four daughters, of whom but three are now living, two
sons, Sylvester and Peter, being residents of Buffalo. Michael received a good com-
mon school education and began life in earnest at the age of twelve. In 1870 he
entered the employ of the New York Central Railroad, being promoted in 1874 to sec-
tion foreman, a position he still holds. February 9, 1878, he married Angeline. daugh-
ter of James Murphy, of Clyde, she being a sister of Mrs. Alex Gregg, of Savannah.
They had seven children : Mary Ellen, born December 9, 1878; James, born May 8,
1880, and died in infancy ; Elizabeth, born June 9, 1881 ; Catherine, born October 14,
1883; Angeline, born October ] 7, 1886; Frances, born November 4, 1888; and Peter,
born November 15, 1891. Elizabeth Catherine and Angeline fell victims to the dread-
ful epidemic of diphtheria, which visited Savannah in 1893. They were recognized as
children of unusual precocity of intellect, and Angeline was something of a prodigy as
a childish musician. Mr. McGinniss is a man of much character and moral worth, and
highly esteemed as a citizen. He has served as overseer of poor, village trustee, presi-
dent, and is a trustee of the Catholic Church Society.
McDonald, Dr. Nicholas L., was born in Newark, February 26, 1856. He was edu-
cated in the Union School and Academy, and studied the profession of dentistry with
Doctors Wilcox and Willett. In 1877 he became a partner with Dr. W. L. Willett,
and continued until 1882, when he bought Dr. Willett's interest, and has continued
with much success since. October 29, 1883, he married Rose Allen, of Canandaigua,
and they have four children : Rose E., Thomas N., M. Margherita and Avalyna A.
His father, Thomas, was born in Kilberry, Ireland, about 1826, locating in Newark in
1850. He married Bridget Phillips, and they have had six children: Catherine,
Nicholas L , Ida E., Mary J., James P., and Avalyna. The subject of this sketch and
Mary J., his sister, surviving. Thomas McDonald enlisted in 1862 in Company A,
]60th Infantry, N. Y. S. Volunteers, was in all the engagements under General Banks,
and was transferred to General Sheridan's c( mmand in 1864, and was wounded at the
battle of Cedar Creek, October 10, 1864, the result of which he died, November 2,
1864, in the hospital at Winchester, Va. Dr. McDonald is one of the trustees of St.
Michael's Catholic Church, and a member of Newark Council, Newark, N. Y., Catholic
Benevolent Legion. Himself, wife and children are members of St. Michael's Catholic
Church of this village.
Muilie, Isaac, born in Holland, in 1837. was the oldest son of the sixteen children of
Isaac and Delia Shoonaard Muilie, natives of Holland, who came to Williamson in 1851,
and here Mr. Muilie died in 1883, but his wife is still living. Our subject has always
been a farmer, and owns sixty-five acres of land. Mr. Muilie is independent in politics.
He and his family are members of the Reformed Church. In 1857 he married Jennie
Yansyn, a native of Holland, and a daughter of Adrian and Maggie Vansyn,
natives of Holland, where the father died in 1855, and the mother died in Rochester in
1857. Mr. Muilie and wife have had four children: Isaac, who married Mary
De Right, who have one child ; Delia, wife of C. V. Palssche, of Williamson ; Maggie,
wife of M. 0. Ingleson, of Williamson, N. Y.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 79
Mclntyre, S. B. The grandfather of our subject was of Scotch descent and came to
Palmyra from Cummington, Massachusetts. The first settlement of that town was by
his Scotch ancestor of the name of Mclntyre, in 1770. His father was Alexander, a
physician of Wayne county. Mr. Mclntyre was born at Palmyra in 1828, received his
education in the Palmyra, Canandaigua, and Millville Academies, and was admitted to
the bar in 1851, having been in continuous practice in Palmyra ever since, except when
in the army. He was first lieutenant in the 111th New York Regiment and afterwards
received commissions as adjutant and captain. During most of his service as first
lieutenant he acted as judge advocate of the third division of the 2d Corps. Still later
he was captain and commissary of subsistence, under General Gilmore in the depart-
ment of the south. When the war closed he retired with the rank of major, and re-
sumed his law business at Palmyra. He is a Republican, and has been a candidate for
county judge and district attorney. His legal business has been very extensive, and he
has figured in many important trials. Mr. Mclntyre is, and for three years past has
been president of the 111th Regimental organization, and is a past commander of James
A. Garfield Post, G. A. R. For twenty-five years he has been one of the trustees of
the Presbyterian church and for twelve years was superintendent of the Sabbath-
school. He occupies a handsome residence, which he built in 1868. Mrs. Mclntyre
died January 6, 1893, leaving two daughters. Mr. Mclntyre is widely known through-
out the State, and has a large law practice.
Muth. James R. Prof, (deceased) was born in Gimbsheim, Hesse-Darmsdadt. Ger-
many, May 4, 1834. At an early age he studied in the musical schools of Mainz,
Munich, Leipsic, and Stuttgart, graduating in all branches of musical science. In 1861
he came to the United States and established a conservatory of music in Syracuse, and
was director of the Philharmonic Orchestra, composed of forty-nine of Syracuse's best
musicians. In 1867 he married Marion A., daughter of Norman Carver, of Syracuse,
N. Y. When a competent director of music was sought for the Ladies' Seminary at
Hamilton, N. Y., in 1872 Professor Muth was chosen to fill the vacancy, which position
he filled for six years, assisted by his wife, a musician and artist. In 1878, owing to
poor health, he returned to Syracuse, took up photography for a change ; in 1880 re-
moved to Clyde, since which time his interests and labors have been here. When the
National Photographers' Association was formed he became a member and entered an
exhibit at the convention in Chicago in 1880, taking the first prize for his carbon pic-
tures, in which style of work he has never been excelled. While pursuing his regular
business he found time to devote much attention to music. At one time under his
drill the Clyde Saxton Band was not surpassed by any similar organization in the State.
In 1885 he built himself one of the most tasty and beautiful residences in Clyde. He
died December 19, 1891, regretted by a large circle of friends, leaving a wife to take
up and carry his plans to completion. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, hold-
ing the degree of Knight Templar, and a member of the Presbyterian church. At the
time of his marriage Professor and Mrs. Muth traveled in Europe two years, allowing
Mrs. Muth the opportunity of prosecuting her studies in art and music in the art center
of the old world, making a specialty of oil, water color, and point crayon engraving, in
which she has acquired a well deserved reputation as an artist throughout Central New
York, enlarging portraits if necessary from pictures of miniature size.
McOmber, Amos, born in Jefferson county, August 30, 1828, was the fifth of eleven
children of Isaac and Anna (Howland) McOmber, he a native of Galway, born August
12, 1798, and she of the same place. Amos came to Wayne county with his parents.
He enlisted in 1862 in Company D, 160th N. Y. Infantry, was an orderly sergeant and
recruiting officer ; holding two offices, and doing two men's work, he could come home
only for troops. He died in December, 1863. He married, December 26, 1849, Lucy
H., daughter of Levi Clark, born in Washington county November 28, 1805, who eame
to Marion in 1826. Mr. McOmber and wife had four children : Clark, who married
80 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Matilda A. Rutherford, who died April 24, 1893 ; Eva L. (deceased), Addie Mary,
wife of Herbert Snyder, by whom she has three children ; Rosamond S., Celia Lucy',
Leon H.; and Kittie, at Johnstown, N.Y. Mr. McOmber was a builder and contractor.'
Meade, Peleg (deseased), was born May 16, 1817, at Mount Washington, and came
to Wayne county in 1818 with his father. David Meade, who took up 100 acres of
land. Peleg was educated in the district schools and the Clyde High School. At the
age of twenty-two he married Martha, daughter of Aaron Waterbury, and they have
four children: Harris W., now of Los Angeles, Cal.; Mrs. Alice Reynolds and Mrs.
Libbie Williams, and Al;da Meade. In 1881 he bought the Oleander Brown property
of 103 acres, where the family now reside. Our subject is recognized as one of the
substantial men of his town, taking an active interest in school and religious matters.
He died in 1884 at the age of sixty-seven, leaving a wife and one daughter at home
to take np his many plans and carry them forward to completion.
McCollum, W. E., was born in Jefferson county November 6, 1864, educated in the
common schools and finished at Pulaski High School, after leaving which he engaged in
the drug business. In 1888 he went into the Wayne county clerk's office, under E. B.
Wells, and was appointed special deputy under F A. Peacock, serving six years. In
1894 he entered upon the duties of justice of the peace, to which he had been pre-
viously elected. On retiring from the clerk's office he was made Wayne county man-
ager of the Abstract Guarantee Company of Rochester, a company engaged in the
business of making guaranteed searches of real estate, in wuich line he is an expert.
Also includes with his law business a full line of insurance, representing some of the
most substantial insurance companies in the United States. Our subject is an active
business man, and is now pursuing a course of reading, preparatory to admittance to
the New York State bar.
Munson, John A., a central figure in the business and social life of Savannah, was
born in Tyre, Seneca county, November 22, 1848, the son of Archibald and Mary
(Evans) Munson. The elder Munson came to Savannah in 1858, and established the
business now conducted in a greatly enlarged form by his son, besides whom there
were four other children, none, however, surviving early childhood. Archibald Mun-
son died in 1873 and his wife in 1891. John A. graduated from Genesee College in
1870, Lima, N. Y., with the degree of B. S. and degree M. S. was afterwares conferred
by Syracuse Uuiversity in 1873. He had also spent two years in Rochester at the
Eastman Business College, and taught bookkeeping at the Bryant and Stratton. March
27, 1872, he married Frances C. Sherman, of East Avon, N. Y., who was a graduate of
Wesleyan Seminary, class of '69. John A., jr., a young man of unusual business ability,
born May 6, 1876, is now in his father's office, the only child living, another son having
died in 1874, in early infancy. Mr. Munson is a sturdv Republican in politics, was
town clerk in 1871 and 1872 and supervisor in 1875-76-77-78. Before the expiration
of the latter term he was elected to the Assembly from the first district, participating
in the first session held in the new capitol at Albany. In 1887-88-89 he again repre-
sented Savannah on the Board of Supervisors, and was at one session made chairman
by a viva voce vote, at that date an honor without local precedent. Mr. Munson may
be regarded as the founder of the Masonic Lodge, and is in all respects a representative
figure, conducting an extensive business in grain and flour, coal, lumber, etc.
McClelland, David, was born in Lyons, December 6, 1824. His father, John, came
from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1811. In 1813 he took up a farm from the United States
government, four miles northwest of Lyons. After living a successful farmer, upright
and honest with all men, he died in 1870 at the ripe age of eighty-four years, leaving
three sons and one daughter. David, the youngest son, married Lettie, daughter of
Jacob Vanderbilt, in 1849, at the age of twenty-four. To them were born two chil-
dren, Almeda, who died at the age of eight years, and Morgan, who still resides on the
FAMILY SKETCHES. 81
old homestead. David, like his father, has been a successful farmer, purchasing the
old homestead of 166 acres in 1850, and raising hay, grain, fruit and stock, also grow-
ing and distilling peppermint oil.
Merchant, John, was born in Fort Edward, N. Y., June 23, 1811. His father, John,
came to Wayne county September 1, 1817, and settled in the northern part of Lyons,
buying fifty acres at the start. At the time of his death in 1867, at the age of ninety-
one years, he owned 220 acres. He married at the age of twenty-seven, Eliza Closson,
and bad a family of nine children, of whom John Merchant is the sole survivor. He
was educated in the common schools and finished at Ostrander's Academy in Lyons,
after which he taught winter school six years. At the age of twenty-four he married
Cynthia, daughter of Nehemiah Reynolds, who died in 1851. By her he had four
children : Riley P., John A., Mrs. Eliza Mesick, who died at twenty years of age, and
Charles E., who died in 1889, at forty years of age. Mr. Merchant married second,
Harriet, daughter of Joseph Cole. In 1837 he bought the Oliver Evans property and
in 1857 bought part of the Joseph Gee farm, raising fruit, hay, grain and stock. Our
subject is one of the representative men of his town, filling the offices of school com-
missioner, town auditor, also a member of the M. E. Church of Lyons fifty years, of
conservative character and sterling integrity, his life has ever proven his word to be as
good as his bond.
Moran, Daniel, was born in Queens county, Ireland, and came to the United States
in 1851 and resided with his parents in "Waterloo, N. Y., assisting his father, who was
engaged in the clothing business. He came to Lyons in 1861 and engaged in merchant
tailoring, gents' furnishing and ready-made clothing business, which he continues at the
present time, carrying the largest and finest stock in Wayne county. He is also inter-
ested in the water works, electrical company, the pottery and the Manhattan Silver
Plate Company, and is recognized in his town as one of the most active business men,
identified in advancing the best interests of his town and the leading events of the day.
At the age of thirty-five he married Bridget A., daughter of John Fitzpatrick, of Flor-
ence, N. Y., formerly of Ossory, Ireland, and they are the parents of eight children.
Our subject has always led a very active business life, but has found time to take an
interest in school and church matters, and is recognized as a man whose life has proven
his word to be as good as his bond.
McMath, William, was born in Lyons, February 11, 1836. His father, M. McMath,
was a native of Ovid, Seneca county, and was born August 8, 1802, and died in 1881
at the age of seventy-nine. William McMath was educated in the Lyons Union School,
after which he entered the employ of Mrs. William Sisson, and learned the druggist
business. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, 160th N. Y. Infantry Volunteers, and
took part in the engagement of the gunboat Cotton, Bayou Teeche, Fort Bisland, Port
Hudson, the Red River Expidition, going as a private and receiving his commission of
lieutenant in his second year, and an honorable discharge in 1864. In 1872 he married
Mary A., daughter of Thomas Smith, of Clyde, and they have one daughter, Margaret
J. He remained in Louisiana and engaged in mercantile and agricultural pursuits for
seventeen years. In 1874 he came to Clyde and engaged in farming.
McLouth, Judge Charles. — Erom 1828 to 1888 Dr. John McLouth was a practicing
physician at Walworth, Wayne county. He died at the advanced age of ninety-one,
and celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of his marriage six years before his death. His
Avidow is still living, above ninety years of age. His son, Charles, was born at Wal-
worth in May, 1834, and received his education in the common school and academy at
that place. He read law with Judges Ketcham and Cowles at Clyde, and was admit-
ted to the bar in December, 1857. In 1858 he moved to Palmyra and formed a part-
nership with William F. Aldrich, one of the oldest and most profound lawyers in that
82 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
part of the State, which continued for six years, since which he has been alone. His
practice has extended to all the tribunals below the Supreme Court of the United
States, both State and Federal, and has connected him with most of the important liti-
gation of Wayne and the adjoining counties. Since the war he has been an active
Democrat, and in later years he has been closely identified as an uncompromising Hill
man, and he has made his influence felt in both State and National Conventions. He
has done a great deal of speaking in political campaigns as well as the making of many
addresses upon public or civic occasions. He is a ready writer and a speaker of force
and conciseness. In 1869 he was appointed county judge by Governor Hoffman.
Judge McLouth is an ardent and active churchman, and has been for twenty-five years
or more a member of the vestry of Zion Church, Palmyra, and was for eighteen years,
and until he refused to be re-elected, a trustee and the treasurer of the fund for dis-
abled clergy and the widows and orphans of deceased clergymen. He has been for
several terms of three years each a member of the Board of Education of the Palmyra
Classical Union School and was for six years its president, covering the time of the
building of the beautiful new school building, in which he was much interested, and to
which he gave close supervision and attention every day. In the building of the new
Zion Church in 1872 he was one of the building committee and gave similar service.
From 1864 to 1893, when he was relieved at his own request, he was a director of the
First National Bank of Palmyra, of which he has always been the attorney, and during
the same time he was and still is a director of the Palmyra Gas Light Company, and is
now its president, secretary and treasurer. In 1890 Governor Hill appointed him a
trustee of the New York State Custodial Asylum for Feeble-minded Women, located
at Newark, N. Y., to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Hon. David Decker, late
of Elmira, N. Y., and in 1892 Governor Flower appointed him for the full term of six
years. In the extensive building operations of that institution he has always been on
the building committee, and he has given to that extensive and valuable chanty his
time and labor without limit. In 1893 he was appointed by Governor Flower one of
the three commissioners in reference to the storage of the water of the Genesee River
for the benefit of the Erie Canal and the city of Rochester. Judge McLouth has a fine
law library of about 2,500 volumes, aud an equally fine private library of 1,000. He
has a magnificent residence at the corner of Cuyler and Jackson streets, built by him-
self in 1886, where he resides with his wife and two children, Mary Scotland and
Charles. He is a very able man and has deserved personal influence in the community,
but this is not superior to his interest in the village and everything connected with the
interests of it or its citizens. The kindly feeling of his neighbors towards him was
well expressed in the fall of 1893, when Governor Flower visited the village and made
an address at the agricultural fair. Judge McLouth was chairman of the Committee of
Arrangements and entertained and introduced the governor, and the Courier said,
among other things: "While the Palmyra Union Agricultural Society appreciates, as
does every citizen, the great honor conferred by the presence of Governor Flower
among us on Friday last, it is only proper to state that to Judge McLouth is largely due
the credit of securing the presence of his excellency on that occasion. Interested as he
is, and always has been, in the Palmyra Fair he believed the presence of the governor
and an address from him to the farmers, would give renewed interest to this annual
exhibition, and fortunately his efforts in this direction were crowned with success.
Doubtless the judge is, upon occasion, a hot partisan, but no man knows better than he
how to keep politics out of a non-partisan gathering, and as chairman of the Reception
Committee he eliminated every particle of partisanship from the affair, as was right
and proper, and from the dignified and admirable manner in which every detail of the
arrangements was carried out, he is entitled not only to the thanks of the society, but
to words of praise from every citizen."
Merrill, William H., was born in Wolcott in 1846 and is one of eight children of
Benjamin and Harriet Merrill, who settled here in 1820. The elder Merrill was a maker
FAMILY SKETCHES. 83
of boots and shoes, and in later years a dealer in the same. He was born in George-
town, Mass., January 1, 1808, and died in 1888, aged eighty years. His wife was born
in Lyndeborough, N. H., April 6, 1817, a sister of Nathaniel Merrill, of this locality,
who was one of the best lawyers in the county. Benjamin and Harriet had eight chil-
dren, of whom John H., Edward P., James A., and William H. were in the late war.
William H., who is a life-long resident of this town, was with the 9th Artillery in the
thick of the fight at Cedar Creek. He married November 30, 1872, Margaret, daughter
of William Anderson, of Wolcott, and has two daughters: Mary, born September 1,
1883, and Harriet, born January 30, 1888.
Millard, George F., was born in Stamford, Vt., May 6, 1828. His father, Stephen C,
was a native of Vermont, and was a prominent farmer of his town. George F. laid the
foundation of his education in the common schools, to which he added through life
by reading and close observation. He was one of ten children in his father's family,
seven brothers and three sisters. In 1850 he came to Clyde, N. Y., and established his
present business of manufacture of tinware, both wholesale and retail, and is one of the
largest dealers in rags, paper stock, old rubber, old metals, and old iron in Central and
Western New York. At the age of twenty-six he married Marietta Barnes, of Galen,
who died April, 1869, leaving him two children : Hattie Bell, now Mrs. E. E. Sampson,
of Atchison, Kan. ; and Ernest G., now of South Omaha, Neb. In 1872 he married
second S. J. Porter, of Cazenovia, by whom he had three more children : Adelbert C.
(deceased), George Porter, and Flora. George F. is a prominent business man of his
town, and is also a steward of the M. E. Church, of which he has for many years
been a worthy member.
Miles, William, was born in Mount Morris, N. Y., August 21, 1816. His father,
William, came to Wayne county in 1820, settled in the town of Sodus, and took up
200 acres of land, what is known as the Hopkins farm. William was educated in the
common schools. At the age of twenty-four he married Isabel, daughter of John But-
ler, of Lyons, and they have had one son, W. H. Miles, who is married and lives on the
homestead, and a daughter, Elizabeth B., born October 7, 1841, who married, aged
twenty-four, Edwin R. Sweezey, of Marion. They are both deceased. They left one
(laughter, who died aged thirteen. In 1885 Mr. Miles bought the John Butler property
of seventy-five acres, also bought the balance of the John Butler farm in 1879 of forty-
four acres, and through life has been a prominent farmer and producer of garden seeds.
He takes an active interest in educational and religious matters, having been trustee of
the M. E. church of South Sodus for a number of years.
McOmber, Frank H., was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., May 24, 1859. His father,
Mansfield S., was a native of Jefferson county, N. Y. Frank H. was educated in the
common schools and finished at Ann Arbor, after leaving which he followed farming
for five years, then entered the dental profession under Dr. A. W. McNames, of Water-
loo, and in 1885 entered the Pennsylvania Dental College, graduating in 1887, and the
same year came to Lyons and established the dental parlors occupied by him, where he
is recognized as one of the most progressive and enterprising men in his profession,
using the latest and most approved methods and appliances in his business. At the age
of thirty-three he married Marguerite, daughter of James Gibbons, of Newark. He is
a Republican in politics, and in 1894 was elected justice of the peace, receiving the larg-
est majority of any candidate on the ticket. Our subject is one of the progressive men
of the town, taking an intelligent interest in educational and religious matters, and in
advancing its best interests ; where he is recognized as a man of conservative character
and sterling worth.
Mathews, F. H., elder son of Lawson Mathews, at present one of the largest land
holders of his native town. He was educated at the Leavenworth Institute, where he
took the highest contested prize for scholarship and ability in his department during
84 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
two successive years, and was awarded a full regents' certificate at fifteen years of age.
After a long course in the special study of jurisprudence, and as confidential clerk for
William Roe and E. M. Walker, esq., Mr. Mathews was admitted to the bar in 1881.
F. H. Mathews is of old Puritan stock, his ancestors emigrating for conscience sake in
the times of the " Merrie Monarch," and afterwards resisted British oppression upon
the battlefields of the Revolution. Jesse Mathews and Lucius Hibbard, who were re-
spectively his paternal and maternal grandfathers, were two of the six pioneers who
came from New Hartford, Conn., in 1809 and 1810, and settled upon that portion of
the Clyde road running south from Wolcott village, and hence known as New Hartford
street. The old Mathews homestead, one mile south of Wolcott, is one of those rare
pieces of property which has never changed ownership only by the laws of natural suc-
cession. Jesse Mathews died while supervisor of his adopted town before the forma-
tion of Wayne county. His wife, Alice Mathews, died on the old homestead in 1871 in
her ninety- third year, after fifty years of widowhood. Lucius Hibbard lived to become
the wealthiest farmer in the town of Butler, and was well known as an active Aboli-
tionist in ante-bellum days. Owing to lung weakness and consequent ill health, F. H.
Mathews was compelled to abandon his chosen profession and seek relief in a warmer
climate. In 1886, while principal of the High School in Seddon, Ala., he married Mol-
lie E., elder daughter of Willis H. Roberf-on, a prominent citizen and politician of St.
Clair county, and formerly an officer in the 10th Alabama C. S. A. Army of Northern
Virginia. Mr. Mathews was a local correspondent for the Lyons Republican for ten
years. Subsequently he has written several series of letters to the local press from
Florida and the industrial centers of the New South. In 1892 Mr. Mathews purchased
the old Moore farm, and now resides adjoining his ancestral homestead, upon which his
aged father is passing his more than three score years and ten in peace and comfort.
McKee, Joshua, was born in Webster, Monroe county, in 1846, son of Josiah McKee,
born in Washington county, Vt. The grandfather was Josiah McKee, of Vermont, and
a farmer. Subject's father was also a farmer. His wife was Electa Rodgers, and their
children were : Josiah, Mrs. Mary A. Thayer, of Ontario, John, David, George, Simeon,
Lernun, Nathan, and Joshua. He died in 1885, and his wife in 1888, aged ninety, re-
spectively. In 1874 Mr. McKee came to Huron, in 1877 he purchased a farm, later sold
and returned to Webster. In 1883 he purchased his present farm of seventy-five acres,
on which he erected a modern dwelling; also made other essential improvements. In
1866 he married Maria, daughter of Joseph and Hannah Lake, of Huron, born in Farm-
ington, Ontario county. Subject is a member of the Odd Fellows, from 1891 to 1894
was overseer of poor, and always takes an active interest in politics. He and wife are
members of the Huron Orange.
Milhan, David R., was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., September 1, 1834, and is the
oldest of six children of Martin and Maria Rhoda Milhan. The father of David R. moved
to Columbia county in 1837, and in 1849 came to Williamson, Wayne county, and
settled on what is now known as the Plyster farm (formerly as the Gilbert farm), where
he resided for five years, then went to Marion, where his last days were passed, dying
May 28, 1877. June 27, I860, Davis R. married Orvilla S., oldest daughter of Colonel
Cephas and Sally Porter Moody, who was born and brought up on the place they now
occupy, which has always been known as the Colonel Moody farm, it having been
cleared from a wilderness by him, when he came to this place from Amherst, Mass., iu
1812, and remained at his home until his death, November 24, 1869. He was colonel
of a standing regiment for several years, deputy-sheriff two years, and overseer of the
poor fifteen years, until his health failed, being about eighty-one years of age. D. R.
Milhan resided on his father's farm for three years after their marriage, then settled
permanently on the Moody homestead. He has since bought the Vaughn farm, making
in all 160 acres of land in a high state of cultivation. He has been a dealer in all kinds
of agricultural implements, fertilizers, etc., for twenty-five years, and for several years
FAMILY SKETCHES. 85
a partner in the firm of Bennett & Milhan, general dealers in produce at the warehouse
at Williamson depot. Mr. Milhan's politics has always been Republican, and for twenty-
one years in succession he served as poormaster. Pie and his wife were charter mem-
bers of Williamson Grange. They have three children : Warren O, who married Minnie
Tinkiepaugh, who have one daughter and one son ; Sidney D., who married May Wilder,
they have one son ; and Winona 0., who married Benedict Cook, of Webster, Monroe
county, N. Y.
Moore, Isaac, was born in Seneca county, September 10. 1835. When about twelve
years of age, his parents removed to the town of Manchester, Ontario county. He is
and always has been a farmer. He married Clarissa Short, of Manchester, and to them
five children were born: Marion S., Mary E., Floyd N., Clara I., and Lillian A., all
residing at home. Mrs. Moore died in 1882, and in 1883 the family moved to Palmyra,
and in 1884 to Newark, where Mr. Moore bought the farm on which they now reside.
Mr. Moorels father, John Moore, was born in Columbia county in 1802, a..d when a boy
went to live with an uncle in Cayuga county. He married Margaret Howell, of Cayuga
county, and located east of Seneca Falls on the State road. They had eight children,
only three now living. The three surviving members are: Harriet, Isaac, and Emily.
He died in 1854, and his wife in 1874. Mr. Moore has bought lots on Mason street, on
Madison, north and south side of Miller, and on Main street, and has sold sixteen build-
ing lots, residences erected on thirteen of them.
Mead, John G, was born in Dutchess county, March 16, 1824. His great-grand-
father, Jonathan, was one of the first settlers in Connecticut. Nathaniel, the grand-
father, was born August 19, 1750. He was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary war.
Richard T., the father, was a native of Dutchess county, born June 22, 1787. He mar-
ried Phebe, daughter of John G-urney, of Stanford, Dutchess county, and their children
were: Thomas W., Judith G., Hannah, Nathaniel, John G, Phebe S., and Mary, of
whom three are now living: Nathaniel and Mary (Mrs. Wm. Cline), who live in
Rochester, N. Y. ; and John G, who married, October 20, 1848, Emma B., daughter of
William Cookingham, of Livingston county ; these are their children : Edgar L., Alfred
M., and E. Louise (now deceased), wife of Dr. C. M. Briggs, of Fairport, Monroe
county. Edgar B. married Alice H. Smith, of Macedon Center, N. Y., and has two
children: E. Louise, and Alvin S., who reside in Rochester, N. Y. Alfred M. (physician
and surgeon), of Victor, Ontario county, married Hattie A. Brown, of Ontario, Wayne
county, and has three children: Edgar R., Dora E., and Mary E. The occupation of
John G. has always been farming. He has held the office of road commissioner six
years and was county superintendent of the poor nine years. They are members of the
M. E. Church.
North, Miss Orissa, was born May 17, 1848, at Rose. Her father, John North, came
here in 1834, and bought the farm four miles north of Savannah, where she now lives.
He was one of the sturdy pioneers of this locality, who helped to clear away the wilder-
ness, a man of much ability, who served in his later life as assessor for twelve years
and it is worthy of remark that he did not omit his presence and vote at a single election
or town meeting from the date of his majority until his death, July 18, 1892. March 7,
1832, he married Sebel Campbell, who was born atElbridge, August 1, 1812, and reared
three children : Elias W., born February 10, 1833, married, September 22, 1869 ; Sarah
E. Mills, of Palmyra, who died November 1, 1869 ; Fitz Alen C, born March 16, 1835,
married Julia P. Gay, of Savannah, October 31, 1855, and died February 26, 1892 ; and
Orissa, now left sole representative of her family, her mother having died February 23,
1892. Miss North was educated at Wolcott Academy and elsewhere, and is a lady of
much ability and refinement.
Mitchell, D. P., town clerk of Butler, and junior member of the firm of Wilson &
Mitchell, general store keepers at South Butler, was born at Rose, Wayne county, De-
86 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
cember 19, 1861. He is the oldest son of Philander and Margaret (Barnes) Mitche'l,
for many years residents of Rose. His paternal grandfather, Philander Mitchell, was
of Scotch ancestry, a man of great energy and ability, a prime mover in the business
affairs of Rose in earlier days, holding the office of justice for a long period. Darwin
became a citizen of South Butler in 1883, and was for three years principal of the public
schools. In 1886 he engaged in the mercantile business with Gorham Wilson. A Re-
publican in politics, he was elected to his present position (town clerk) in March, 1894.
November 18, 1885, he married Jessie, only daughter of William H. Clapp, of South
Butler. Mr. Mitchell has been the regular local correspondent for the Clyde Times from
South Butler for eleven years.
Nutten, Wilbur F., was born in Churchville, Monroe county, December 2, 1839. He
was educated in the public schools in various places and in Genesee Wesleyan Seminary
of Lima. He first began to study medicine in Hornellsville, Steuben county, attended
lectures at Buffalo Medical College one course, and one course at Ann Arbor Medical
College, Michigan. He graduated from the Medical College of Physicians and Surgeons
in New York city in 1863. His father and family came to Newark in 1860. Dr.
Nutten began to practice in Newark the year that he graduated in company with Dr.
Pomeroy, under the firm name of Pomeroy & Nutten, which continued over four years,
since which time he has practiced on his own account. He has married twice, first,
November 20, 1867, Mary E., daughter of Rev. Orrin Trowbridge, of Lima, N. Y. She
died January 24, 1885, mourned by a bereaved husband and regretted by many friends.
September 30, 1888, he married, second, Mrs. Addie J. Jewell, nee Green, of California.
She had one son, Frank J. Jewell, who is a student in the Academy. Mrs. Nutten's
father-in-law, Rev. F. F. Jewell, is a presiding elder in the M. E. Conference in San Fran-
cisco, Cal. The doctor's father was a preacher in the M. E. church fifty years. The
doctor is a member of the Wayne County Medical Society, also of the Central New
York Medical Association, New York State Medical Association, and the American
Medical Association. He is a member of the Newark Lodge, No. 83, F. and A. M., and
Newark Chapter, No. 117, R. A. M.
Norton, G. P., was born on the old Norton homestead at Lakeside, N. Y., in 1851.
The great-grandfather of our subject. Felix H. Norton, came from England to America
and settled at Old Guilford, Conn. Five of his sons moved to Ontario, Wayne county,
N. Y., in 1811, settling on what is now known as the Lakeside Road. Lester, the
grandfather, of our subject, married Matilda Allen, who died in 1826, leaving eight
children, of whom four are now living. He married, second, Nancy Taylor, who died
in 1863, and the death of her husband occurred in 1864. Philetus H., father of our
subject, was born on the old homestead in 1822, and followed farming, besides speculat-
ing in horses, cattle, produce, wool, etc. He lived on the old homestead during his
life, except one year in Rochester. In politics he was a staunch Republican. In 1850
he married Cordelia Whitcomb. a daughter of Samuel Whitcomb, whose father came
from Scotland and was a soldier of the Revolution. Airs. Norton died in 1873, leaving
a daughter, Frances A., of Marion, Wayne county, N. Y., and a son, Gilbert P. the
subject of our sketch. Oscar, the second son, died at the age of three years. He mar-
ried, second, Mrs. Emily Merritt, widow of Calvin Merritt and a daughter of Uzial
Brown, of Penfield, N. Y., who served in the war of 1812. Mr. Norton died July 4,
1891, and his wife, who still survives him, resides on the Norton homestead. G. P.
Norton was reared on the farm and obtained his education at a common school and
Macedon and Canandaigua Academies, and taught school for a short time after he had
finished his education. A Republican in politics, and an ardent worker for the suc-
cess of the party ; has always followed farming, except three years in the marble and
granite business at Webster, Monroe county, N. Y. He now has the Norton home-
stead, settled by his grandfather, and carries on general farming and fruit growing. In
1885 he married Mamie B., a daughter of Robert and Eliza Thompson, now of Detroit,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 87
Mich. Mr. and Mrs. Norton have one son, Harrison W., born September, 1886, and
one daughter. Lucille C, born May, 1891. Mr. Norton is a zealous Mason, being a
member of Wayne Lodge No. 416, F. and A. M., of which he served as master six
years.
Newell, Mrs. Emily J., is a daughter of R. Cahoon, of Little Falls, Herkimer county,
N. T., and was born there June 29, 1829. Her father came to Wayne in 1842, pur-
chasing a farm in Huron. She married, in 1849, Roger H. Newell, a life-long resident
of Huron. He was a prominent Odd Fellow and Mason, and was at various times
constable, town clerk, and commissioner of highways. His principal business, how-
ever, was farming, and he was a large land owner in Huron. Mr. Newell was also a
prominent Granger, and in politics he was a Democrat. He was always charitable to
the needy. He died April 30, 1893, aged seventy-two years and three months, and a
year later Mrs. Newell became a resident of Wolcott by the purchase of an elegant
home, corner Wright and Orchard streets.
Olmstead, Ira M., was born in Huron December 29, 1821. His father, Elijah, came
from Connecticut in 1810 and reared a large family of children. He died in 1833, and
since that time Ira has been a resident of Butler. He married, in 1850, Olive, daughter
of Ethan W. Allen, and of their three children, H. Allen, Lucy Irene, and an infant
daughter, only the former, born July 28, 1853, is now living. Mr. Olmstead is a veteran
of the late war, with Company E, 96th Regiment, N. Y. S. Volunteers. Allen Olmstead
married, in 1873, Flora F. Campbell, of Butler, by whom he has had three children,
Charles A., Ira, Le Roy and Zemira E.
Owen, C. Wooster, was born in Penfielcl, Monroe county, July 8, 1841, the sixth of .
a family of nine children born to C. W. and Clarissa (Beebe) Owen, natives of Ballston
Springs, Saratoga county, and of Vermont, respectively. C. W. Owen came to Monroe
county when a young man, in 1814, and learned the carpenters' trade, also owning a
good property in the village of Penfield, where he spent his last days, and where his
widow now resides, at the age of eighty-five years. The grandfather of C. W. was
William, who was born December 29, 1764, a native of Boston, who spent much of his
life in Penfield, where he died, May, 1833. He served in the Revolution three years.
Our subject was reared in Penfield, and there educated, coming to Ontario at the age of
nineteea years, and learned the tinners' trade. In 1863 he formed a partership with
M. Lockman in the tin and stove business, and then Mr. Owen purchased his interest,
and has since been alone in the business, which he has enlarged in many ways, carrying
a line of paints, oils and glass, besides his regular lines of stoves, furnishing goods,
agricultural implements, etc. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the A.
0. U. W., Lake Shore Lodge. No. 306. H. B., a brother of our subject, was in the late
war about two years, and was killed in the battle of Spottsylvania, May 10, 1864. In
December, 1873, Mr. Owen married Emma Fewster, a native of Antwerp, Jefferson
county, and they have two children : Daisey and Charles F.
Ostrander, Rev. L. A., D.D., was born in Franklinville, Cattaraugus county, N. Y.,
July 14, 1843. His father, Joseph Ostrander, a farmer in moderate circumstances, died
when he was eight years old. Shortly after this his home was broken up. He went
to Chicago and took a position in a drug store. When fifteen years of age, feeling it
his duty to preach the gospel, he determined to obtain a liberal education. He pre-
pared for college at Cazenovia Seminary. During the winters he taught school. He
entered Knox College at Galesburg, 111., in 1861. After two years he went to Hamil-
ton College at Clinton, N. Y., where he graduated in 1865, He took both "Head" ora-
tion and the "Clark" prize at Hamilton. Upon leaving college he accepted an appoint-
ment as tutor in Robert College at Constantinople (Turkey). He traveled quite ex-
tensively in Europe, also in Egypt and the Holy Land. Returning to America in 1867
he began the study of theology, graduating at Union Theological Seminary in 1871.
88 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
While pursuing his theological studies he entered the lecture field and gave a course of
five oriental lectures, by this means meeting his seminary expenses. In 1871 he re-
turned to Constantinople, where on the 25th day of May he was married to Miss Eliza
A. Thomson, daughter of Rev. Dr. Alexander Thomson, a Scotch missionary. His first
pastorate was at Dubuque, la. After five years of successful labor in that field he ac-
cepted a call to the Presbyterian Church, of Oswego, N. Y. Here he remained six
years. He then accepted the pastorate of the Presbyterian Church at Lyons in 1882.
A good degree of prosperity has marked this long and happy pastorate. The church
now has a membership of 442. While a hard working pastor, Mr. Ostrander is still
able to devote some time to the lecture field. He received the honorary degree of D.D.
from his alma mater, Hamilton College, in 1890. He has four children: Leroy, Aleck,
Robert, and Ethel.
Osborne, William H., was born on the homestead, September 19, 1841. His father,
George L., was a native of Dutchess county. The family who were among the early
settlers of Massachusetts were of English extraction, and came to Wayne county in
1833. George L. married Martha H., daughter of John Cornell, and they had three
sons: Charles A., and Gilbert L., now of Owosso, Mich. Wiliiam H. was educated in
the common schools, and at the age of forty married Julia, daughter of Nathaniel H.
French, of Junius, Seneca county. In 1865 he inherited and purchased the homestead
of 120 acres, which has been in the family over sixty years, raising fruit, hay, grain and
stock. Our subject is one of the representative farmers of his town.
Porter, Nathan B., is the only son of the late Nelson Porter, of Saratoga county. He
acquired a thorough business education at Eastman's Business College at Poucrhkeepsie,
graduating in 1878. After five years as bookkeeper for S. C. Redgram, of Lyons, he
became manager for the Ryan-McDonald Manufactering Co., builders of locomotive
engines at Baltimore, Md., and in 1891 became secretary for the Q & C. Co. of Chicago,
manufacturing railroad specialties. In 1S94 he purchased an interest in the foundry
and machine works, now known as the Knapp-Porter Iron Works, on Mill street, Wol-
cott. In 1884 he married Julia Darrin, who died, February 12, 1893, leaving two
daughters, Miriam and Nathalie.
Paddock, H. R., only son of Henry and Clarissa Paddock, was born near the site of
his present home in Wolcott, May 12, 1840. Henry Paddock, the elder, was born at
Vienna, Oneida county, N. Y., 1810, and came to Wolcott in 1835. Our subject grad-
uated from Falley Seminary at Fulton, N. Y., and engaged in farming, where his sur-
roundings are models of neatness and convenience. His present home was acquired
by purchase in 1879. December 20, 1860, he married Lucy Dowd, of Huron, and
they have one son, Frank A., born March 15, 1862, now a druggist in Rochester. He
was married May 31, 1894, to Nellie Loughborough, of Rochester, N. Y.
Pallister, Albert A, born in Pultneyville July 21, 1843, is the son of John and Han-
nah (Wake) Pallister, natives of Yorkshire, England. He and brothers came to Amer-
ica in 1829, bringing their parents with them. The father died on the voyage and was
buried at Prescott. The grandmother spent her last days in Pultneyville with her chil-
dren. John Pallister learned the trade of shoemaker in England. He worked at the
trade in Pultneyville till 1867, when he retired and lived with his children until his
death. December 29, 1879. Mrs. Pallister died in February, 1870. Her parents, John
and Sarah (Leadly) Wake, came from their native country in 1831, bringing a family
of four sons and five daughters. One daughter, Elizabeth, died in England. They
first came to Pultneyville, but settled west of Williamson. Mr. Wake was born in
November, 1771, in Yorkshire, England, and his wife in 1778. They were married in
1803, and he was a farmer in England. Albert A. Pallister commenced his career as a
shoemaker, and with the exception of one year on the ocean in a whaling steamer, has
followed that business. He is now engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes in
FAMILY SKETCHES. 89
Pultneyville, also carries a fine stock. He is also in partnership with his brother, Mer-
vin, in the lumber business at Pultneyville, carrying a large stock of lumber, posts,
shingles, lath, brick, etc. They are proprietors of the vessel ''Fred L. Wells," which
sails from Pultneyville. In 1879 he married Elizabeth, widow of Philip Robinson, and
daughter of Hamilton Cooper. She has one son and one daughter, Gertrude and Clif-
ford.
Patten, Silas (deceased), was born in Newburg, Orange county, November 19, 1788,
and came to Phelps in 1792 with his father, John Patten, moved into the town of
Lyons in 1795 and settled on lot 20. His opportunities for education were limited.
At the age of twenty-five he married Mrs. Phoebe Williams, daughter of Samuel Row-
land, who died in 1850. In 1854 he married second Bridget, daughter of Michael
Dwyer, and they were the parents of ten children, of whom but one is now living,
Mrs. Mary Teller, who married Arthur D. Teller, of Lyons, and who are the parents of
one daughter, Agnes M. Teller. Silas Patten was one of the earliest settlers in Wayne
county, taking up large tracts of land from the United States Government. He soon
occupied a prominent place in his town, being a liberal supporter of educational and
religious institutions. He died January 12, 1882, at ninety-three years of age, mourned
by his family and regretted by a large circle of friends.
Quackenbush, Mrs. Elizabeth, was born in Aurelius, Cayuga county, August 25, 1820,
and is the daughter of Albigence and Phoebe (Clark) Munroe, whose children were :
Albigence, jr., born March 22, 1822, died at Chattanooga February 1, 1874; Maria
Matthews, born May 15, 1837, now living at Rochester; Elizabeth, as above, who mar-
ried July 4, 1837, Abram Quackenbush, of Seneca Falls. He was born at Leroy Sep-
tember 22, 1816, and was by trade a tanner and currier, but went to California in 1850,
where he followed gold mining for three years. He came to Savannah in 1853, where
they have since resided continuously. Their children are : George, born December 13,
1840 ; Rugene, born in 1842, died in 1878 ; Catharine, born October 17, 1844, now a
widow, living with her mother ; and Maria, born April 28, 1860, now the wife of Ed-
ward Rutledge, of Syracuse. Mr. Quackenbush was attacked with epilepsy in 1875,
since which time his powers of mind and body have greatly weakened.
Paine, William T., was born in Lyons July 14, 1836. His father, Thomas, was a
native of Kent, England, and came to the United States 1822, when he was ten years
of age. He married Naomi, daughter of Richard Thomas, of Kent, England. William
T. was educated in the common schools, to which he added through life by reading and
close observation. After leaving school he associated in general merchandise business
at Alloway, and which he has carried on for the past forty-seven years. In 1873 he
bought the Alloway Hotel property. At the age of forty-one he married Mary,
daughter of John Gorsline, and they are the parents of three children : Edward. Ed-
win and Ina. Our subject takes a prominent part in the events of the town.
Phillips, Clark, was born in Schodack, Rensselaer county, eleven miles east of Al-
bany, August 5, 1817. He was educated in the district schools and Nassau Academy,
with such men as John A. Griswold, Dr. Herrick and Hugh and Robert McClellah. In
his early manhood he was a farmer in his native county. He came to this country
with his parents in 1835, and was a farmer with his father, and succeeded to the farm.
He married twice ; first, September 30, 1840, Irene G. Pitts, of Chatham, Columbia
county, and they had three daughters, Mary E., Frances E., and Emma L., the young-
est died in infancy, Mary E. married Chester Ellinwood of the town of Rose, this
county, and they had five children, two daughters and three sons : Irene P., who died
at the age of seventeen ; Mary L, John C, Chester and Robert survive. Mrs. Phillips
died August 10, 1879, mourned by a bereaved husband and many friends.! He mar-
ried second, May 3, 1882, Mrs. Lizzie M. Holman, nee Sanford, of North Adams, Mass.
l
DO LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Mr. Phillips was appointed postmaster at Newark March 14, 1872, under President
Grant's administration, serving about six years. He was appointed railway commis-
sioner in 1870, also a member of the Board of Directors of the Sodus Point and South-
ern Railway (now the Northern Central). He has been superintendent of the Sunday
school of the First Baptist church in Newark thirty-two years, and is trustee and clerk
of that church. Mr. Phillips's father, John, was born in Dutchess county, February 20,
1774, and married Esther Warring, who was born September 13, 1776. They had six
children : Phoebe, Joseph, Daniel, John, James and Clark. John Phillips, sr., died
December 9, 1860, and his wife February 20, 1864.
Peer, T. J., M. D., was born in Williamson, March 9, 1843, a son of John H. and
Harriet R. (Adams) Peer. The father was a native of Williamson and a son of Abram
Peer, of New Jersey, who was one of Williamson's first settlers. John H. came to
Ontario at the age of about sixty, where has since resided and followed farming. He
is now seventy-eight years of age, and his wife seventy-six. Our subject was educated
in the academy at Sodus, and read medicine with Dr. A. G. Austin, of Williamson,
with whom he remained four years. He attended the medical department of the Uni-
versity at Ann Arbor (1862-63) and in 1865 located in Ontario, where he has since had
a successful practice. Later he entered the Hahnemann Medical College at Chicago,
from which he graduated in 1871. He is a Republican, and has taken an active part in
the political affairs of his town and county, having been United States pension ex-
aminer five years. In 1866 he married Augusta Boynton, a daughter of L. S. Boyn-
ton.
Putney, Hubbard W., was born in Hampshire county, Mass., March 28, 1819, end
came to Lyons in 1840, and established the wire cloth industry in all its branches,
making the different grades of fanning mill wire cloth a specialty. In 1842 he com-
menced to manufacture fanning mills, and at different times opened branch offices in
Amsterdam, Hudson, Poughkeepsie and Nyack, N. Y., also Williamsport and North-
umberland, Pa., and Washington, New Jersey. In 1872 he erected the brick block in
Lyons known as the Putney block, and where he has carried on business for the past
fifty-four years. At twenty-four years of age he married Clara A. Wilds, of Litchfield,
Conn., and they have three sons: Cassius H, Edwin B. and George E. He is a Re-
peblican in politics, and has been assessor, road commissioner, trustee and a member
and trustee of the M. E. Church for forty-four years. Subject is one of the oldest
manufacturers in Wayne county, identified in the leading events of the day, and of
sterling worth and integrity, whose life has proven his word to be as good as his bond.
Putnam & Co., J, H, manufacturers of barrels and staves at Wolcott, have their
factory located upon Lake avenue, near the railroad. This plant is a branch having its
central business at Wayne Center. There are also branch shops at Savannah, Lyons,
Sodus and Clyde for the manufacture of barrels, and Mr. Putnam is largely interested
in mills located in Ohio and in Michigan, holding valuable, exclusive patents for special
machinery for crozing and chamfering staves. The works at Wolcott have a capacilty
of one thousand barrels per diem, and are under the management of Mr. L. D. Sopher,
a gentleman of wide experience and ability.
Pickering, William, was born in England, June 29, 1858, coming to this country in
1870, and settled in Sodus. For seven years he worked at farming by the month, then
rented farms and worked for himself. Nine years ago, in 1885, he bought the Robert
Hale place, consisting of 114 acres. In 1876 he married Harriet Briggs, of Arcadia,
and they are the parents of four children : Willie J., George A., May N. and Harry
C, all living at home and attending school. Mr. Pickering is a Democrat.
Palmer, L. H., was born in Nassau, Rensselaer county, January 31, 1835. His
father, Jonathan Palmer, came to Lyons in 1844, and purchased a farm north of Lyons.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 91
He was a very prominent man in the town and at one time held office as supervisor.
L. H. Palmer was educated in Lyons Union School and Lima Seminary, after which
he entered the employ of Herrick & Co., of Albany. He remained with them till 1861
and then moved to Newark. In 1865 he came to Clyde and in company with S. H.
Briggs established the Briggs & Palmer Bank, which continued up to 1880, when the
bank was reorganized, and is now known as the Briggs National Bank. Mr. Palmer
married Louisa M. Briggs, and they are the parents of these children : Edwin B.,
Louis R., of Baltimore, Briggs S., Mrs. Olive Miller, of Brooklyn, May L. and Anna R.
Peer, Barton P., was born in Williamson, March 20, 1828, the son of Thomas and
Emily Pratt Peer, he born in New Jersey, December 2, 1800, and she in Williamson.
February 22, 1806. The father of Thomas Peer was Abram, a native of New Jersey,
who came to Williamson in 1809. Thomas was a farmer, and died in 1875. Our
subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and Walworth
Academy, and studied dentistry with Dr. D. J. Peer, and finished his education in
this line at Menervia Medical College. In 1852 he went to Palmyra and practiced
there until 1856, when he came to his father's farm and then practiced his profession,
and in 1875 he came to the village of Williamson, and purchased twenty-one acres,
off of which Elm street has been principally built. Mr. Peer has been assessor, in-
spector of election, justice of the peace, and notary public for eight years. He is a
member af Pultneyville Lodge No. 159, F. & A. M., and of the Williamson Grange No.
338. September 2, 1848, he married Loraine Merrill, of Madison county, and they have
had two children : Duane, who died at the age of twenty-two months ; and Ellen
Isabelle, who died at the age of four years. This family is of Holland descent, and
trace their ancestry to three brothers coming from Holland in 1776, one of whom was
the father of John Peer, and the great-grandfather of our subject.
Plyte, Isaac, was born in Holland, April 24, 1823. He is the youngest of the five
children of John and Anna Miller Plyte, natives of Holland. Their father died in Hol-
land, and the mother in Williamson in 1871. Our subject came to America in 1846, and
settled on a farm in Williamson, and he now owns 150 acres of land. He is a Re-
publican in politics. In 1846 he married Matilda Ver Dow, a native of Holland, and
daughter of Lucas and Matilda Berdine Ver Dow. Mr. Plyte and wife have had these
children : John, who married Amanda Englison, of Marion ; Peter married Kate Van
Bortle in 1880, and has four children ; Matilda married Abram Collier in 1881, and they
have had these children; Annie, at home; Joan, wife of John Van Bortle; Diana, de-
ceased, was the wife of William Van Holde, and had one daughter, Clara ; Isaac mar-
ried Susa Collier in 1886 ; Alice, wife of Marinus Braser. a farmer of Williamson, they
have one daughter.
Paddock, W. W., has been for nearly forty years the leading dealer in hardware
and kindred goods in Wolcott. He was born June 6, 1832, at Vienna, Oneida county,
N. Y., and in 1850 began his business career with Bradish & Brown at Lyons. For
seven years their trusted employee, he then formed a copartnership with S. H. Foster,
at that time practically founding the large business now conducted under the firm
name of Paddock & Son. In 1871 he built the store which he now occupies at No. 14
Main street, and in 1891 his son, William H., then twenty-five years old, became a part-
ner in the bnsiness.
Paget, Tom, was born December 1, 1836, in Knightley, Yorkshire, England, and is the
oldest living child of William and Mary Blakeley Paget, natives of Yorkshire, England,
and who came to America in 1849, and there lived and died. Our subject was reared
in Lyons, and in 1853 went to Canada, and on February 1, 1859, he returned to Lyons.
In 1868 he went to Sodus, and in 1879 he came to Williamson, and has since resided
here on his farm of thirty- one acres. He also has thirteen acres near here. He has
twenty-two acres of berries and other small fruits. Mr. Paget is a Democrat, a mem-
92 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
ber of A. O. U. W., and the Select Knights. September 26, 1859, he married Mary
Jones, of Gloucestershire, England, who came to Canada with her parents, and they
both died there. Mr. and Mrs. Paget have had ten children : Sallie, Thomas W.
(deceased), Mary A. (deceased), Martha J. (deceased), Tom (deceased)/Alfred J., Fran-
cis (deceased), Joseph H., Elmer, and Hannah (deceased). Mr. Paget was a carriage
maker until he came to Williamson, and worked at Sodus with J. W. Stuver for seven
years.
Pierce, Eugene Herbert, was born in Huron, May 31, 1850, a son of John Pierce, of
Yorkshire, England, born in 1817, who came in 1826 with his parents, John and Eliza-
beth (Barker) Pierce, to Wayne county. Here, in 1860, John bought the farm of 103
acres, where his son Eugene now resides, and here he spent quietly the remainder of
his life. He was one of the first to vote the Abolition ticket in this town. He married
Matilda B., daughter of Ahiel and Diantha Guthrie, born in Sodus, February 10, 1823.
They had three children: Matilda B., wife of Daniel W. Gibbs, of Sodus; Eugene H.,
and Lyman C, who is now a teacher in New York. Mr. Pierce died in March, 1894,
aged seventy- six years, and his wife in 1876, aged fifty-three. John Pierce, the grand-
father, after some years' residence in this and Ontario counties, removed with his wife
to Wisconsin, whence they went to Iowa, where they both died. Their children were:
John, William, Thomas, Jane, Mary, Ann, Elizabeth, Harrison, and Deborah. Ahiel
Guthrie was of Scotch ancestry, and spent most of his life as a school teacher. His par-
ents died when he was a youth, and he had one sister, younger, who died when five
years of age. His wife was Diantha Bockas Bullock, and they were married in 1818.
They lived first in Montgomery county, then removed to Sodus, and afterwards to
Huron, this county, where they settled on the farm now owned by our subject. The
grandfather died March 7, 1851, and the grandmother January 30, 1873. E. H. Pierce
was reared to farm life, and was educated in Wolcott Union School and Sodus Acad-
emy. He has spent m^st of his life on the farm with his father, engaged in general
work together with fruit raising. In 1877 he married Emily S. Overton, daughter of
Sheldon R. and Catharine Overton, of Wolcott. She was born in Huron in 1847, one
of seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have bad two children : John H., born January
4, 1883; and Anna E., born July 21, 1889. Mr. Pierce is a Republican, and has served
as assessor five years.
Porter, George E., M.D., was born in Hartford, Vt., June 8, 1867. His father, W.
B., was one of the leading farmers in his town. George E. was educated in New
Hampshire Agricultural College and Mechanic Arts, located at Hanover, from which he
graduated in 1888, receiving the degree of B.S. He then entered the Dartmouth Medi-
cal College, graduating in 1891, first locating in Chatham, Mass., and came to Wayne
county in 1893. He engaged in general practice. At the age of twenty-one he mar-
ried Mary J., daughter of Nahum G. Turner, and they have two children, Laura May
and Clara L. Our subject is a member of the Massachusetts General Medical Society,
and is recognized as a man of ability in his profession.
Palmer, Oscar, born in Ontario, May 5, 1844, was a son of Rensselaer and Mary
(Miller) Palmer, both natives of Wayne county, he born in 1803, and she in 1807. He
died in 1881, and his wife in 1890. A brother of our subject, John Palmer, enlisted
in September, 1863, in the 97th New York Infantry, and was killed at the battle of the
Wilderness. Oscar was educated at Macedon and Genesee Wesleyan Seminary. He
was engaged in teaching for a while, then in the mercantile business at Lakeside, being
the first to carry on the business there. He gave up that business and purchased a farm
on the Lake road, where he has since resided, engaged in general farming and fruit
raising. The house is known as the Palmer house, and they entertain a high class of
boarders from the city during the summer months. October 14, 1869, he married
Amelia A. Botsford, daughter of Henry and Diana (Foster) Botsford, he a native of
Canton, St. Lawrence county, and she of Marion county. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have
FAMILY SKETCHES. 93
two sons : Myron B., born August 27, 1873, now in State Normal School at Geneseo ;
and Howard L., born December 23, 1879. Mr. Palmer was a soldier in the late war, a
member of the 8th New York Cavalry, went in 1864, and remained until the close of
the war. He was in Sheridan's division under Custer, and was wounded at Five Forks.
In politics Mr. Palmer is a Republican, and is now justice of the peace. He has been
notary public a good many years.
Pound, Charles Edward, born July 15, 1868, is the only son of Edward H. Pound,
born in Farmington, Ontario county, N. Y., February 9, 1828, and Lucy Pease Pound,
born in Ontario, Wayne county, N. Y., April 23, 1835. His grandfather, Nathan K.
Pound, was born in New Jersey, January 18, 1798, and carne to Ontario in March, 1835,
purchasing a farm, where he resided until his death in 1882. He had four sons : Addison
S., Edward H., Jacob M., and Stephen B. Edward H. Pound early engaged in farm-
ing, bought the homestead in 1878, and there resided until his death in June, 1893.
His wife is now living at Ontario Corners. Charles E. was educated at the Walworth
and Canandaigua Academies, and has always been a farmer, residing on the homestead,
which he now owns. He has 192 acres, and carries on general farming and stock
raising. In November, 1891, he married Lizzie, the adopted daughter of Amos and
Dorcas Woodhams, and they have one child, Norma May, born November 30, 1893.
Mr. Pound attends the M. E. Church.
Quereau, William, one of Huron's representative men, was born in Cayuga in 1847,
son of William Quereau, a native of Westchester county, N. Y., born in 1819, whose
father was John Quereau, a farmer in Cayuga county. William, father of our subject,
came to Wolcott in 1850, and was prominently identified in the politics of his county.
His wife was Mrs. Sabra (Myers) Lewis. Our subject began for himself when twenty-
one years of age, and in 1883 purchased his present farm, his principal crops being fruit
and gram. From 1888 to 1890 he served as under-sheriff of Wayne county, from 1887
to 1890 as commissioner of highways, and was re-elected to the same office from 1892
to 1896, constable two years, and collector one year. In 1868 he married Minnie A.,
daughter of Watson and Harriet Dowd, of Huron, born in 1852. Their children are :
Sabra A., born in February, 1873 ; Elliott, born in June, 1875 ; Rosa W., born Septem-
ber, 1886 ; and Ray D., born in January, 1890.
Pierson, Forest R., was born in Tyre, Seneca county, December 6, 1842. He is the
elder son, and now the only one living, of the late Ogden and Julia A. Pierson, who came
to Butler in the spring of 1845, and settled upon a farm near the present village of
South Butler. Forest Pierson's mother died in 1887, when seventy-five years of age,
his father had reached the age of eighty-five, died November 27. 1892. Forest was
identified with the Ninth Artillery during three years in the thick of the Civil War. A
musician and member of Company Gr, and despite the protracted and desperate character
of the service, he escaped physical injury. His wife is Melvina J., daughter of the late
Loami Beadle, of Savannah. They were married February 26, 1873. Of three children
but one daughter living, Alta, born February 23, 1874, and now the wife of Cyrus
Aikins. Asa and Lillie did not survive infancy. Mr. Pierson is a member of the M. E.
Church at Butler Center, and has been superintendent of the Sunday school for the past
seven years, and being deeply interested in all moral reforms, was the first person in the
town of Butler to espouse the cause of Prohibition, and was a candidate on that ticket
for member of assembly for the First District of Wayne county in 1890, and may be
reckoned among the citizens of Butler a representative citizen of that place.
Pallister, Richard, was born in Yorkshire, England, January 6, 1820. He is the
second of four children of Thomas and Mary Pierson Pallister, of England, who came
to Williamson in 1828, and here iived and died; he in 1860, and she in 1841. He was a
farmer by occupation, and a sailor when a young man. Our subject owns fifty-one acres
of land. He is a Prohibitionist, and both he and she are Methodists. In 1846 he mar-
94 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
ried Lovina E., daughter of Glover and Sarah Munson, born in Onondaga county, N. Y.,
July 18, 1826. Mrs. Pallister's parents came to S^dus in 1830, and here her father, Mr.
Munson died in 1883, and his wife in 1832. Mr. Pallisler and wife have had two
children : Mary, the wife of Sidney A. Baker, of Williamson, and they have three
children; and George, who married Louisa Steele, and they have one son.
Rising, Henry C, is a prominent landmark among the farmers of Northern Savannah.
He is the son of Joseph H. Rising, who is also a resident of Savannah, and eighty-
three years of age. Henry C. was born August 4, 1840, at Lorraine, Jefferson county,
N. Y., educated at Watertown, N. Y., at the Jefferson County Institute and Brown's
Commercial School, taught school prior to his marriage, January 1, 1862, to Ellen M.
Chapin, of Worth, Jefferson county, N. Y., by whom he had one child, Grace E., born
May 10, 1870, and who died June 26. 1881. Mr. Rising again married, October 13,
1870, Augusta C. Cooley, of Rodman, Jefferson county, N. Y., who has two children,
Byron O., born November 16, 1873, and Mattie A., born January 13, 1889. He came
to Savannah February 3, 1877, and bought the present homestead and engaged in
farming and fruit growing, is a life-long Republican, now serving his th,ird term as
justice of the peace. He has also been notary public for ten years and for several terms
an associate justice in the Court of Sessions.
Perry, D. H., was born in Oneida county, March 27, 1864. His father, John, was a
native of Switzerland, came to the United States in 1854, and was a farmer by occupa-
tion. D. H. Perry was educated in the common schools, to which he has added through
life by reading and close observation. In 1883 he came to Marengo and followed
farming until 1890, when he established his present business, carrying a large and well
selected stock of general merchandise, being one of the largest dealers in pork, butter,
eggs, and poultry in Wayne county. In 1890 he received the appointment of post-
master, which position he still holds. Our subject is the leading merchant and produce
dealer in the town.
Rising, Joseph H., was born in the south of Jefferson county. N. Y., February 2,
1812, the son of Abner and Jane Rising. He has one sister in Wayne county, Miranda,
widow of Jeremiah Smith, of Wolcott. February 22, 1838, he married Rachael P.
Wakefield, of Watertown, N. Y., born in Vermont in 1814 and who died at Savannah
October 28, 1886. Of her four children one son died in infancy. Byron J. died in
1862, sixteen years of age, and the biography of Henry C. appears elsewhere in this
volume. Alice A., born December 26, 1850, and not married, is a member of her
father's family at present, a lady of superior mental endowment and refinement and
a life-long member of the M. E. church. The subject of this sketch, commencing life
in the wilds of a new country and under adverse circumstances, has by his own un-
aided efforts acquired a valuable competency and is now living upon his fine farm in
the northern part of Savannah. He has for the greater part of his life been a
prominent and substantial member of the M. E. church, has served fcur years as jus-
tice of the peace, but has not sought official honors. He is of decided convictions,
outspoken and consistent, in all respects worthy of the high esteem in which he
is held.
Pintler, Freeman, was born in Fairfax county, Va., April 10, 1854, a son of Peter
and Emma Pintler, he a native of Delaware county, and she of Orleans county, N. Y.,
born in 1820. They went to Virginia in 1851 and resided there until 1861, owning a
farm adjoining the Robert E. Lee estate. In 1860 Peter was one of seven men in
Fairfax county that dared to vote for Lincoln. Mr. Pintler was warned three times to
leave, and finally, after the first battle of Bull Run, he was driven from his home,
took his family to Washington, and after a few weeks came to Orleans county, and
four years after to Ontario countv, and was killed by lightning in 1869, and his wife
died in 1872. Mr. Pintler was a contractor and builder, and remodelled the Robert E.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 95
Lee house while in the south. His father was Adam Pintler, a native of Germany.
The father of Emma Shaw was Elijah Shaw, of this state, and of German descent, who
was in the war of 1812. His wife was Lydia Freeman, and they had six children.
Our subject was seven years old when his parents came to Orleans county. He was
fifteen years old when his father died, and his mother two years later. At eighteen
he began teaching and afterwards completed a course at the Oswesro Normal School.
He has been a very successful teacher, having taught thirty-three terms. In 1886
he engaged as traveling salesman with the Niagara Grape Company, and sold enough
grapes to plant 3,000 acres of land. He went to Europe in the interest of that com-
pany and traveled in England, Scotland, and France. In 1893 he was elected school
commissioner, and has served as supervisor of the town of Ontario during 1892 and
1893, heading the first straight Republican ticket that had been elected in that town in
twenty years. He is a member of Wayne Lodge No. 416, F. and A. M., and also of the
A. 0. U. W., No. 306. March 23, 1883 he married Hattie J., daughter of Edward
Thompson, of Williamson, and they have two children, Leon F., born February 12, 1884,
and Minnie, born November 13, 1885.
Rooke, Thomas, was born near York (England), April 6, 1833, and came to the
United States with his father, John Rooke. in 1833, who settled in the town of Galen.
John married Sarah, daughter of Mathew Robinson, by whom he had ten children. He
died in March, 1862, aged seventy-two. Thomas Rooke was educated in the common
schools, to which he has added through life by reading and close observation. He has
accmired by purchase of the other heirs his father's estate, subject to the rights of the
widow, hi.- mother, who still lives, and also purchased part of the Charles Tyndall estate
and other adjoining pieces of property, having 120 acres. He raises fruit, hay and
stock. Our subject was taken with erysipelas at the age of ten years, resulting in the
loss of the use of both legs, and since then has been obliged to use crutches to get
about. Notwithstanding this great calamity he has been successful in business, and
gained the confidence of his associates. He never was willing to accept public office,
but is trustee and steward of the M. E. Church of Lock Berlin.
Raymour, L. S., a native of Macedon, born November 24, 1824, is the oldest of a
family of thirteen children of John and Alzina (Aldridge) Raymour, he a native of Ver-
mont, born in 1S02, and she of New York, born in 1804. The grandparents were early
settlers of the town of Walworth, where they lived and died. John came to Ontario
about 1832, and bought a farm on the town line, between Williamson and Ontario,
which he sold and bought the farm now owned by Samuel Raymour. They went to
Palmyra, where they died, he May 12, 1880, and she July 7, 1872. He was a Republi-
can, and they were Methodists in religion. L. S. was reared on a farm, and has always
followed farming and fruit growing. In 1835 he bought the farm he now owns, where
he has since resided. He married in 1847, Emily Thayer, of Orleans county, by whom
he had two daughters: Addie, wife of Harda Bunday, a civil engineer of Monroe
county, N. Y.. and has one son, Clifford, and a daughter, Winnifred, and Martha, wife
of Jacob Verdow, who is now working the farm. They are principally engaged in
growing fruit. They have two sons, Bertley and Spencer. Mrs. Raymour died, June
14. 1881. Mr. Raymour is a Republican.
Roffee, E. M., was born in Scipio, Cayuga county, August 31, 1838. His father,
Christopher, was a native of Providence, R. I., was a sea captain, and later was a promi-
nent contractor and builder at Providence. R. I., erecting a number of the churches and
public buildings in that city. In 1834 he lemoved to Scipio, Cayuga county, and en-
gaged in farming. He died in 1885, aged seventy-eight years. E. M. Roffee was edu-
cated in the common schools, and finished his preparatory course at the Antioch Col-
lege, Springfield, O. The year 1857 he entered the office of Dr. Hines, of Elmira. and
learned the profession of dentistry. In October, 1859, he came to Clyde, and established
96 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
himself in business, being associated with Dr. T. C. Olds, and after his decease purchased
the entire business, which he has since continued. The year 1882 went to Grayling for
his health, a thriving village in the northern part of Michigan. During his stay was in-
duced to purchase village lots, also eighty acres adjoining the village, and at once platted
the same. With the proceeds of his sales of lots built a number of houses, and he has
not missed an annual visit since his first there, and in meantime regained his health.
At the age of twenty-two he married Emma A., daughter of J. S. Hood, and they have
had two children : Mrs. George H. Hardisty and Nellie, who died, aged twenty-three, a
devout Christian. Our subject takes an active interest in education and religious insti-
tutions, and has been a member of the Presbyterian Church thirty- five years.
Rector, Mrs. Sarah, of Savannah, was born January 30, 1842, a daughter of Peter
and Hannah (Carncross) Albright, of Lysander, who settled on the farm now occupied
by Mrs. Rector in 1834. Here the mother died in 1855 and the father in 1886, he be-
ing then in his eighty-third year. Sarah Albright was born on the farm where she
now lives, and which is now operated by her only son, John W. Rector. She was
married in 1863 to John W. Rector, of Wolcott, who died fifteen months later, Her
son, John W., was born March 18, 1864, and by trade is a machinist, but he has re-
turned to the farm, and in 1884 he married Minnie Ulum, of Alamo, Mich., who died
in 1886, leaving- one son, Ray, born March 8, 1885. January 26, 1887, he married
again, Ursula May Schuyler, of Alamo, Kalamazoo county, Mich., by whom he had
two children : Rose, born November 20, 1889, and Anson, born December 8, 1891.
The subject of this sketch is a woman of most estimable character and mental ability,
who has always devoted herself to her family. Her husband, before his death, was
one of the prominent figures in the early life of Wayne.
Ray, C. H, was born in Piffard, Livingston county, October 12, 1854. His father,
Rev. Charles Ray, now in charge of the Presbyterian Church at Marion, has been an
ordained clergyman for forty years. C. H. Ray was educated at the Temple Hill Acad-
emy and Hamilton College, graduating from the latter institution in 1877. Afterward
was principal of the Cayuga Lake Academy at Aurora, N. Y ., for one year, and then
began the study of the law. He read with Hon. John L. Parker, of Parker & Green-
field, at Moravia, Cayuga county, N. Y., also taking the Hamilton College Law School
course, and was admitted to the bar in 1880, and in September of the same year he
entered into general practice at Lyons. At the age of twenty-six he married Hattie,
daughter of Dr. Dennison R. Pearl, of Sherwood, Cayuga county, and they are the
parents of two sons: Reginald P. and John P. In 1S85 he was elected district attor-
ney of Wayne county, and has been identified with most of the leading events of the
day, taking an active part in political and educational mattera.
Richman, Thomas I., was born in Onondaga county February 3, 1824. His father,
Jacob Richman, was a native of New Jersey, moving to Manlius, Onondaga county,
where he married Esther Clark, daughter of Christopher Clark. Mr. Thomas I. Rich-
man was connected with the building of several different railroad-', viz. : A portion of
the Ogdensburg Railroad running east of Malone, a portion of the New York Central
running through Wayne county, also west of Batavia, and forty miles of railroad in
Canada, and in company with his brother built several sections of the Erie Canal en-
largement, including the aqueduct in Macedon. He is now engaged in farming.
Rouch, Frank, of Macedon, was born in the town of Ontario June 10, 1857, a son of
Max Rouch, a native of Germany, who came to this country when a young man and
settled in Ontario, where he engaged in farming. He served in the late war three years,
where he was wounded and disabled for any further hard work, for which he drew a
pension. He died in Ontario in 1888, aged sixty-three. Frank married Adella Gard-
ner, of Macedon, February 28, 1883, and they have no children. He owns a place of
sixty-six acres. In politics he is a Republican, and has served as school trustee. He
is also a member of the Grange.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 97
Robertson, Dr. J, N, was born in Wolcott June 10, 1853. His father, Jonn, who
died in 1880 at the age of fifty-five, was a prominent member of the M. E. Church,
and a staunch adherent to the Republican party. Dr. Robertson received his diploma
from the University of Vermont in 1877 and afterwards took a post-graduate course in
New York city. He began practice at Sterling, N. Y., removing to Wolcott two years
later. December 1, 1880, he married Anna M. Howard, of Sterling, and they have one
daughter, Eva Lucille, born July 23, 1885. Dr. Robertson is a member of the Board
of Education of Woleott and an elder in the First Presbyterian Church.
Redfield, Albert F., was born in Victor, Ontario county, April 15, 1817. His father,
Luther, was a native of Richmond, Mass., who located in the town of Junius in 1800.
He removed to the town of Galen in 1822, purchasing 108 acres, to which he added
fifty acres adjoining. He died in 1867, aged eighty-seven years. The family trace
their genealogy back to the Puritans of Massachusetts. Albert F. was educated in the
common schools, to which he has added through life by reading and close observation.
After following farming fifteen years he went into the mercantile business in Clyde,
remaining five years, and then engaged in the distillery business, which was burned in
1857. He also was in the tan and curry business for nine years. He also engaged in
the malting business ten years. In 1869 he was elected county clerk and served three
years, and was elected supervisor of his town for five terms. At the age of thirty-six
he married Susan A., daughter of Aaron Griswold, and they had one daughter, Mrs.
Mary G. Whiting, who died, aged thirty-three years.
Rice, Stephen D., was born in Butler, July 26, 1835, a son of Jonathan G., a native
of Rowe, Mass., born May 28, 1813. He married, in 1832, Levinne H. Doolittle, born
September 11, 1814, daughter of Stephen and Polly Doolittle, of Granby, Conn. Mr.
and Mrs. Rice had seven children : Stephen D., Levinne A., George E., Charles G.,
Harriet J., Jared F. and Franklin J. The grandfather of our subject was Ebenezer
Rice, a native of Massachusetts, who married Sallie Glazier, and had seven children.
He died aged eighty-seven, and his wife aged ninety. At the age of sixteen Stephen
D. began learning the miller's trade, which he has followed for the past forty-three
years. In 1857 he married Lydia J., daughter of Nicholas and Anna Taylor, of Victory,
Cayuga county. She was born October 15, 1839. Their children are as follows :
Franklin J., born March 17, 1862; Levinne, who died in infancy, and George W., born
January 6, 1872. Both sons are millers. Mr. Rice is a Mason, and is a Republican in
politics, though he has always declined nomination. He was a captain in Company D,
107th Regiment, 25th Brigade, 7th Division, N. Y. S. Militia.
Robinson, the late John N., was born in Arcadia, February 28, 1822. He was edu-
cated in the district school and spent his early life on the farm. He afterward became
a blacksmith and carriage maker in this village. He married twice ; first, Maria Austin,
by whom he had three children : Cordelia, Frances, who died at the age of six years,
and Osman C. Mrs. Robinson died in 1862, and he married second, November 6, 1863,
Lydia Weaver, and they had one son, J. Floyd, who was educated in the Union School
and Academy, and is learning the jeweler's trade in the village. He resides with his
mother. Mr. Robinson was a successful business man, and died April 2, 1882, mourned
by a bereaved wife and family. Mrs. Robinson's father, Jacob Weaver, was born in
Dutchess county January 1, 1812, and came here with his parents when he was a boy.
He was educated in the district schools and followed farming. In 1831 he married
Sylvina Hoysrodt, formerly of Dutchess county, and they had six children: Homer,
Lydia, Lewis, Christina, Esther and Jacob, jr. The ancestry of this family are English
and German.
Redner, Dr. P., was born in Orange county, September 8, 1841, and is the son of
Peter and Elizabeth Hall Redner, both natives of Orange county, where both families
had resided for over a hundred vears, and where the father died in 1848 and the mother
98 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
at Patterson, N. Y., in 1890. Dr. Redner, when seven years of age went to live with
Martin Litchult, of Ramsey, N. J., where he remained six years. He then went to
New York city and remained five years, learning the butcher's trade. He then came
to Wayne county and attended school under Professor Curtis, and speculated during
the summer. In 1865 he went to Buffalo and was engaged with the Western Trans-
portation Company. He afterward went to Nevada and Montana and engaged in
mining for three years, and then went to Denver and engaged in the feed and stock
business, taking the first load of cattle that went over the Union Pacific from Omaha
to Cheyenne. He next entered the Homoeopathic Institute in Cincinnati, from which
he graduated in 1874, and practiced his profession for twenty years in various places.
In 1889 he came to Ontario, where he has since resided, and is an extensive property
owner. He is a member of the Sodus Lodge, No. 392, F. & A. M. November 20, 1872,
he married Mary H., daughter of Hezekiah Hill, who was born in Ontario in 1811. His
parents were natives of Massachusetts and settled in Ontario in 1800. His father died
when he was four years old, leaving his mother and nine children, the eldest but four-
teen years old. Mr. Hill's educational advantages were limited, but by hard study he
was able at the age of eighteen to teach school, which he did for six winters. He was
school commissioner one year and school inspector two years, and held the office of
constable two years, assessor nine years, justice four years, and was the railroad com-
missioner of the town. In 1840 he married Pamelia, daughter of Samuel Stuck, of
Ontario. In 1849 he bought the Pratt farm of 320 acres at Inman's Corners, now
Ontario Village. He began at once to sell lots, and a large part of the village was built
by him. for those to whom he sold lots. He became a large real estate owner in On-
tario, Canada and Michigan. He died in 1889. Dr. Redner and wife have four chil-
dren: Wilfred H, who died in 1876, Howard H, Vera A. and Boyd A.
Russell, W. D., was born in Marion in 1836, on January 27. He is the sixth of a
family of nine sons of Daniel W. and Mary Turner Russell, he a native of Williamson,
and she of Washington county, N. Y. Daniel Russell came to Williamson about 1793
from Conn., and first settled at Pultneyville and afterwards on the farm now owned by
Darius, his grandson. The father of our subject held various offices of public trust, and
died in 1868 and his wife in 1873. Our subject was educated in the common schools
and Sodus Academy, and learned the printer's trade with Richard Olyphant, of Oswego,
but was poisoned by the ink, and gave up the business and went to Lockport, 111., and
was connected with the construction of the Joliet & Chicago Railroad. He then went
to the county surveyor's office with A. J. Matheson, of Walworth, N. Y., and after a
year he came to Marion, and owing to his father's sickness he remained on the farm
until the war broke out in 1861. He enlisted in Company I, 98tb N. Y. Volunteer In-
fantry as first lieutenant. After the consolidation of the 98th and a portion of the
Franklin County Rifles, subject enlisted as a private and was soon promoted to second
lieutenant, and was in these battles : Fairoaks, White House Landing, Seven Days fight,
White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Siege of Yorktown, Second Fair Oaks, Charleston,
and was mustered out through another consolidation in June, 1863, and then returned
to the farm. In January, 1865, he married, re-enlisted, and was detailed on recruiting
service at Auburn, N. Y., then recruited eighty-four men for the 194th Regiment, and
was at Elmira in command of barracks, and was to be made captain of Company A,
194th Regiment, but the company got no further than Elmira when they were mustered
out of service. At the close of the war he engaged in farming for five years, then
went to Binghamton and was general agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Company.
After three years he returned to Williamson and bought a farm of fifty-three acre*,
where he resided thirteen years, when he engaged in the sale of agricultural imple-
ments. After four years he retired from business, and in 1891 he came to the village
of Williamson, where he owns a fine residence. He is a O. A. R. man, having been
commander of John Hanes Post, also aid-de-camp on the department commander's staff,
as well as the commander-in-chief's staff, and also a member of the fire company and of
the Grange. His wife is Lucy M., daughter of Roswell B. Harkness, of Williams.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 90
Riker, John, a native of Dutchess county, was born December 10, 1810. His parents
died when be was very young, and but little is known of the history of the family.
About 1836 he came to Ontario, Wayne county, and bought seventy-six: acres of land,
to which he added about 125 acres, and which he left to the family. He married Mary
Thorne, of Dutchess county, by whom he had four sons and five daughters, one son
and four daughters are deceased. Mr. Riker died November 2, 1882, and his wife
April 17, 1886. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious faith they were Friends.
The surviving children are Julia, wife of Wilfred M. Burke, a farmer of Meridian,
Cayuga county ; James H., J. F. and Edward L., who are now on the old homestead
and carry on the farm business, J. F. and E. L. in partnership. They are engaged in
general farming and fruit raising, and grow about four or five acres of raspberries, ten
acres of apples, and thirty-eight acres of grapes. Edward married, January 27, 1887,
Carrie J., daughter of Margaret and W. S. Hawley, of Webster, N. Y., by whom he
has had one son, John H., born December 13, 1887. J. F. married Annie S. O'Dell,
who died February 21, 1887. In politics they are Democrats. Mrs. Riker is a member
of the M. E. church, which they attend and support.
Ruf, John P., was born in New York city May 23, 1860. He was educated in the
Freehold Institute, of New Jersey, graduating in 1877, located in Clyde in 1878. In
1883 entered the Philadelphia Dental College and Hospital of Oral Surgery, from
which he graduated in 1885. Dr. Ruf is a member of the Seventh District Dental
Society and of the Garretsonian Society, of Philadelphia, the latter having a
membership of 3,500. He is interested in local affairs, and at one time held office as
trustee of the village. He is also president of the Clyde branch of the Wayne Building
& Loan Association. Dr. Ruf is active in Masonic circles and was for four years
master of Clyde lodge, F. A. & M., No. 341. At the age of twenty-seven he married
Hattie B., daughter of John Thomas, of Clyde.
Robinson, William Henry, is one of the prominent citizens of Huron and was born
August 14, 1833, in Ontario county. He is a son of Thomas Robinson, whose early
life was spent at the mason's trade, and his last years as a farmer. Thomas was born
in 1801 in Mantlin. Ireland, where he married Christina Gibson, by whom he had
eleven children. About 1830 he came with his family to America. He landed at
Quebec, and at once began working on a farm. Later he removed to Phelps and
afterwards came to Huron, where he bougnt a place of fifty acres, cleared the land and
built him a home. He owned at his death 100 acres. Seven children grew to
maturity : Richard, Eliza, Mary, William H., Minerva, Rebecca and John W. The
grandfather of our subject was George Robinson, who married Elizabeth Gibson, and
had thirteen children, all of whom grew to maturity. Thomas died in November, 1886,
and his wife in June, of the same year. At the age of twenty-two William H. began
life for himself, having learned the stone mason and bricklayer's trades. In 1868 he
married Catharine, daughter of James M. and Eliza (Stout) Cosad, of Junius, born
August 9, 1838, and they have had one child, Lizzie C, wife of Charles Gilkey, of
Butler. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson and daughter are members of the Wolcott Grange.
Our subject is a Republican, and has served as justice of the peace eight years, and as
collector one year.
Reed, Jared A., M. D., was born in the town of Williamson, Wayne county, Decem-
ber 13, 1858. He was educated in the public schools, Marion Collegiate Institute,
Sodus Academy, graduating in 1878. He then entered Cornell University, taking a
four years' course, and graduated from that institution in 1882. He then took a two
years' course in the Homoeopathic Medical College, New York, graduating from that
institution March 15, 1884. Began to practice medicine the same year, which he con-
tinues with much success. Dr. Reed is a member of the Wayne County Homoeopathic
Society, also of the State society of the same school. April 15, 1885, he married Jennie
E. Trimble, of the town of Ontario. They have two children, Mildred and J. Stuart.
100 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
The doctor's father, David B., was born at Fort Ann, Washington county, October 16,
1828. Came to the town of Marion with his parents when he was four years old, was
a farmer by occupation. He married Mary Ackerson, of Ontario, Wayne county.
They had five children : William B., Jared A., Oscar, David S., who died in infancy,
and Mary E. The Dr's. grandfather, Fitch Reed, was born in Vermont, about the
year 1800. He married twice, second marriage to Almira Gibbs. The family came to
the eastern part of this State to Washington county, and had six children : Laura,
Jerusha, David B., as noted above, John L., William E. and James T. Fitch Reed was
one of the minute men in the French and Indian War. He died in about the year 1865
or 66, and his wife in the year 1885.
Stever, Jacob E., was born in Newark, this county, January 16, 1839, was educated
in the Union schools and Sodus Academy, and his early years were spent on his father's
farm. At the age of eighteen he taught his first school, following this occupation for
several winters. December 13, 1863, he enlisted in Campany F. 2d Mounted Rifles, N.
Y. Volunteers, Army of the Potomac, under Burnside, Ninth Army Corps, till October,
1864, at which time his regiment was transferred to Sheridan's command, and was
honorably discharged May 13, 1865. March 21, 1860, he married Rebecca J. Lefurgey,
of Sodus, and they had five children : Lettie E., who died aged thirty-three; Cleon E.,
who died aged ten ; Frankie J., who died aged five months ; Sadie and Edith M.
Lettie married Emerson D. Warren, of Buffalo, having one son, Frank S. Mr. Stever's
father, James M., was born in Columbia county, July 22, 1814, aud came here with his
parents when young. He married Elizabeth Filkins, of his native county, and they
had three children ; Jabob E., Sarah C. and an infant son living only a few hours.
Dennis Lefurgey, father of Mrs. Stever, was born in Columbia county, in 1805, and
came to Sodus, where he married Margaret P. Steegar, and they had eight children :
Jac )b, Rebecca J., Emmarette, John B., William W., Dennis W., Anna P., and an
infant daughter living only two days Mr. Stever is a member of Vosburgh Post. No.
99, G. A. R., of which he has been commander two terms. He is a member of the
I. 0. O. F. and of the A. 0. U. W. Mr. Stever is a manufacturer of flavoring extracts.
Ray, William L., was born in Canada September 17, 1862, the fifth of seven children
of John and Mary Ray, the former a native of Canada, and the latter of England. The
father of John Ray was Robert Ray, aged 84, a native of Ireland, who came to Can-
ada in an early day, where he died in 1863. The maiden name of Mary Ray was
Fowler, her father Walter, aged 93, whose father came from England and lived and
died in Canada. Subject's father has been a mill man, came to Ontario in 1865 and
engaged in the mill business a number of years, where he has since resided. Mrs. Ray
died January 11, 1888, aged seventy years. Our subject was reared on a farm, and
educated in the common schools. He learned the engineer's trade and followed it fif-
teen years. He and his brother purchased thirty-two acres of land in Ontario, and in
1889 subject bought his interest and follows fruit raising, having four acres of berries.
He is a Prohibitionist in politics. He and his wife are members of the Free Methodist
church, and he has been trustee and steward, superintendent of the Sunday school, and
is now trustee. Mr. Ray married, June 9, 1882, Anna E. Willard, a native of Ontario
and daughter of George Willard and Adelaide (Gibbs) Willard. They have one son,
Norley L., born June 16, 1891.
Strauss, Jacob was born in the provir ce of the Rhine, Prussia, August 22, 1822, and
came to the United States in September 1852, and located in Clyde in 1854, where he
established a large clothing store and merchant tailoring business. He married Mary
Jane, daughter of David Stoddart and they had three children : Saty Theresse, Charles
A., William S. Mr. Strauss is an energetic and upright business man and has won
the respect of all with whom he has been associated.
Slocum, Smith JE., was born in Macedon February 11, 1855, the second child of nine
children born to Benjamin and Catherine P. Slocum, the former a native of Perrington,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 101
Monroe county, born in 1820, and the latter a native of Dutchess county, born in 1827.
Mr. Slocum came to Macedon in 1854 and then to Ontario in 1861, settled two miles
north of Ontario Center, and in 1864 came on the farm he now owns, and here his wife
died January 24, 1885. Mr. Slocum has been a Democrat, and was highway com-
missioner. He and his wife have for many years been members of the Baptist church,
since 1854. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in Marion Collegiate
Institute. He followed teaching ten years, but his principal occupation has been farm-
ing, and he now has charge of his father's farm of seventy acres, and follows general
farming. He is a Democrat. He married in Batavia in 1885, Emma Foster, a native of
South Butler, and daughter of James P., and Carroline Collier, the former a native of
New Brunswick and the latter of England. He died August 29, 1891, and his wife
December 31, 1887. Mr. Slocum and wife have had two children, Leon F., and Elmer
R. The grandfather of subject, Smith Slocum, was born in Massachusetts, was one of
the first settlers of Macedon, and went to Monroe county, and died in Perrington,
October 25, 1835. His wife was Elizabeth Bliss, a native of Massachusetts, who died
January 27, 1858. He had a family of nine children, three sons of whom were in the
war of 1812. Subject has been deputy sheriff under Sheriff Knowles. The family is
of English descent, and started from three brothers coming from England in 1630.
Seelye. Jesse, of Savannah, is one of the typical old residents, having occupied his
present residence on a farm one-half mile west of Savannah, since 1837. His parents,
Benjamin and Anna, moved from Queensbury to Galen during the building of what was
then locally known as "Clinton's Ditch." Jesse was born in Warren county, came
with his parents to Wayne county when twelve years old, and has spent most of his
life in farming, although in earlier life he acquired and practiced the trades of shoe-
making and coopering. November 4, 1832, he married Mary A. Stackus of Savannah,
and their only child, Ursula, born February 15, 1835, died November 6, 1854, unmarried.
Soule, Harriet B., of Savannah, is the widow of Rowland Soule, who died in 1886,
aged sixty-four years. He was born in Duanesburg. October 30, 1855, he married
Harriet B., daughter of Orestes and Sally (White) Hubbard, of Butler, and bought the
farm one-half mile north of Savannah in 1867, erecting thereon the residence now occu-
pied by Mrs. Soule and her children. Mrs. Soule's children are : Ella S., born September
27, 1857 : Herbert O, born November 29, 1859, who married, in 1887, Ella, daughter
of Rev. P. H. Wiles, of Savannah, and has one son, Harold W., born in 1891 (they
reside at Rochester) ; Carrie, born June 12, 1862, who married, in 1891, Milan Sherman,
of Savannah, and has one daughter, Helen Grace, born in 1891 ; and Grace L., born in
1868.
Stebbins, William H. H., was born in the town of Arcadia, May 2, 1840. He was
educated in the public schools, and for the past thirty years has been a farmer and
dealer in agricultural implements and phosphate. In September, 1868, he married
Phoebe A. Fuller, of his native town, and they have had two children : Charles A., who
died at the age of four years and eight months; and Ella L., who resides with her
parents. Mr. Stebbins' father, Carlos A., was born in the town of Phelps, Ontario
county, in 1789. He was a pioneer farmer He married Cynthia Seargent, of the town
of Sodus, and they had eight children : George, Thomas, William H. H., Jerome,
James, Ella M., Carlos A., and Emily. He died in 1879, and his wife resides in this
village. His father was a soldier of the war of 1812 at Sodus Point. Mr. Stebbins was
a soldier of the late war in Company I, 17th Infantry, New York State Yolunteers,
was honorably discharged on account of sickness. His business life has been successful.
He has been overseer of the poor seven years, and is town collector. He is a member
of Newark Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M. ; of Newark Chapter No. 17, R. A. M. ; Zenobia
Commandery No. 41, K. T., of Palmyra; Palmyra Council No. 26, R. & S. M. ; and
Knights Templar No. 41, K T.
102 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Soule, Mary and Lavinia, are the daughters of Enos and Mary Soule, who came from
Schenectady county in 1831, having a family of ten children. Lavinia was born April
16, 1811, and Mary, October 18, 1832. Enos Soule lived in a log house a few years,
on the site of the modern residence now occupied by the sisters, a mile north of the
village. He was an intimate friend of Gerrit Smith, then residing at Peterboro, and
was a practical and fearless abolitionist, personally assisting the operations of the cele-
brated "Underground Railway," also a leader in the Temperance cause. He died here
in 1861, and his wife ten years later, leaving seven children, of whom Mary and Lavinia
are the sole survivors. They are ladies of education and refinement, and their remi-
niscences of the early times are of great interest.
Sherman, Stephen D. (deceased), was born in East Palmyra, September 16. 1811.
His father and grandfather were among the first settlers in Palmyra. S. D. Sherman
was educated at the Cazenovia Seminary, and after leaving school took up the profession
of medicine. In the spring of 1848 he came to Lyons, and associated with Dr. Samuel
Moore and engaged in the general practice of medicine. The partnership continued up
to 1854, and was then terminated by the death of Dr. Moore. At the age of twenty-
two our subject married Jane, daughter of Josiah Betts, of Schoharie, and they were
the parents of four children : Warren F., of Kalamazoo, Mich. ; Charles E. ; Mrs. Mary
E. Darling ; and Frank Sherman, of Lyons. Our subject was one of the most success-
ful and best known in his profession, taking an active interest in educational and religious
matters, having been a member of the M. E. Church from early boyhood. Dr. Sherman
died February 13, 1894.
Silver, 0. Clate, was born November 10, 1867, the son of Harvey O. and Fanny
(Sergeant) Silver. The elder Silver was for many years a resident of Savannah, where
he established, in 1886, the business now conducted by his son. His wife, Fanny, is
a daughter of James Sergeant, who enjoys the distinction of being the first white male
child born in Sodus. 0. C. Silver received his education chiefly at the Sodus Academy,
and married, November, 29, 1887, Kate Verbridge, of Williamson, Wayne county.
They have one daughter, Loraine, born July 28, 1891. In 1893 he assumed control of
the business established by his father, that of furniture, undertaking and embalming,
and has added a large line of general goods and bakery products. Mr. Silver is a man
of enterprise, attending besides his regular business to the editorial charge of the Wayne
County Dispatch (Savannah edition), and acting as special correspondent for some of
the leading dailies, among them the New York World. Both himself and wife are
members of the Savannah M. E. Church.
Shourds, Daniel S., was born in the town of Macedon, January 11, 1842. Reuben
Shourds, his father, was a native of New Jersey. He went to Rochester in 1826, and
there learned the mason's trade, then moved to the town of Macedon, where he worked
both at his trade and farming for a few years. He afterward abandoned his trade, and
devoted himself entirely to farming. He married Esther Sisson, who was a native of
Massachusetts. Daniel S. Shourds was their only child. He was educated in district
schools, in the Union Springs Academy, and from there he went to Poughkeepsie, where
he finished. He entered the nursery business as salesman, and in 1863 he started in
that business for himself. At the present time he is dealing in all classes of fruits and
ornamentals, and receives orders from all parts of the country. October 11, 1866, he
married Phebe M. Pah^er, and they have four children. Mr. Shourds has been super-
visor and commissioner of the town, and in politics is a Republican. He is a member
of the Orthodox branch of the Friend's Church.
Scott, Samuel & Co., maltsters. — This firm is composed of Samuel Scott and his two
sons, William 3., and Seymour Scott. Samuel was born in Lyons in 1827, and has led
an active and prominent business life, being identified in advancing the best interests of
his town. At the age of thirty he married Lucy M., daughter of Daniel Spier, of Lyons.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 103
In 1S58 he established a carriage manufactory, which he continued twenty years. For
seven years he was engaged in the produce business, and in 1877 engaged in the malt-
ing business, and in 1880 the Scott malt house with a capacity of 250,000 bushels was
erected. The father of Samuel Scott, for whom he was named, came from Lincoln-
shire, England, to Sodus, in 1810, and was called out to defend his State in the war of
1812. Seymour Scott married Mary C, daughter of H. C. Atkins, of Brattleboro, Vt.,
at the age of twenty-seven, and they have two sons, George and Harry. William S.
Scott married, at the age of twenty-four, Bertha L.. daughter of James Thomas, of
Baltimore, and they have two children : William Sebert, and Lucy. The firm of Samuel
Scott & Co. is one of the leading houses in malting in Western New York. Scott
Bros, are dealers in essential oils, making a specialty of oil of peppermint, for which
Wayne county has a justly celebrated reputation in the production of this particular oil,
which in amount exceeds one-half of the total production in the United States, this
firm now are the largest dealers in the county. The firm has a deserved reputation for
business ability and strict integrity.
Saunders, Enoch, came to Palmyra from Litchfield, Conn., and worked for John
Swift. After the latter sold his business, Mr. Saunders received as compensation for
his services a piece of land, of which he took possession immediately after leaving Mr.
Swift's employ. He next journeyed to Connecticut, where he married Abigail Hilems,
returning with his wife to his property here, and began farming. He died in 1825, and
his wife in 1857, their children are : Orlando Lorenzo, who moved to Michigan ; Ben-
jamin, who also moved to Michigan ; Orson, who died in 1825 ; Malissa, who married
Willard Chase; Alice, who married James Seely, and has a son, Andrew, who now re-
sides in Palmyra. Orlando was born in 1803, and had four sons, two of which are now
living : Alexander, who lives in Michigan ; Septimius, born in 1834, who has always
resided on the homestead farm. He has 105 acres in Palmyra, and forty-five in Ontario
county, all in one tract.
Stuber, Seymour, was born in Switzerland, September 14, 1850, one of eight children
of Horace and Elizabeth Stuber, of that country, who came to America and to Utica in
1853, where they died, she in 1857, and he in 1872. Our subject was three years of
age when he came to Utica, and learned the blacksmith's trade at Deansville. He then
went to Clinton, where he worked at his trade three years, then to Deansville, where
he remained about six months. In 1872 he came to Ontario Center, where he has since
had a successful business. He married, March 20, 1871, Mary DowDarrow, a native of
Oriskany Falls, by whom he has had five children : Minnie, William B., Seymour, Lizzie,
and Grover. He is a Democrat in politics.
Shepard, Albert, was born in the town of Galen, October 16, 1834. His father,
Harry, and grandfather, Silas Shepard, came from the northern part of Vermont, near
Lake Champlain, and settled three miles northeast of Clyde, when the country was new,
taking up a farm from the United States Government, and which is still in the posses-
sion of the family, known as Shepard's Corners. Albert was educated in the common
schools, finishing at the Clyde High School, after which he returned to his father's farm.
At the age of twenty-nine he married Phoebe McNeill, and they are the parents of two
sons: Fred and Harvey. After his marriage he took up his residence on his farm on
the Clyde and Rose plank road, where he continued to reside until the year 1889, when
he was appointed keeper of the County Poor House, where he still remains.
Stanford, Daniel J., was born in Oneida county April 7, 1837, a son of Richard and
Sally A. (Thorn) Stanford, early settlers of Oneida county, who came to the town of
Ontario, Wayne county, April, 1858, where they spent the remainder of their days.
The father died October 1, 1889, aged 81 years; the mother, December 9, 1881, aged
68 years. The maternal grandfather, Daniel Thorne, was in the war of 1812, taking
the place of his son, who was drafted. Jonathan Stanford, the father of Richard, was
104 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
one of the first settlers of Oneida county, where he lived and died. Daniel J. Stanford
received a common school education and was by occupation a farmer. In 1858 he
came to Ontario, Wayne county, with his parents, and in August, 1862, enlisted as a
private in Company B, 138th N. Y. Volunteer Infantry for three years, and during the
war was in the battles of Coldharbor, Monocacy, Winchester and Cedar Creek, where
he received a gunshot wound in the right leg which disabled him for life. He was dis-
charged as a sergeant of Company B, 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, from the Satterlee
U. S. General Hospital. Philadelphia, Pa., July 31, 1865, by reason of the close of the
war. He then returned to Furnaceville, Wayne county, and was in the employ of the
Ontario Iron Company as weighmaster for five years, from May, 1870. From that time
he lived a retired life till 1889, when he was appointed assistant postmaster under
W. Birdsall at Ontario, and reappointed under Henry E. Van DerVeer in 1893; was
elected justice of the peace for the town of Ontario, Wayne county, in 1890.
Smith, Horace W., and Addison P., of Savannah, are the sons of Willis G. Smith,
who was for twenty years a practicing physician at Otisco, Onondaga county, and who
came to Wayne county in 1864, engaging in general merchandise business under the
style of Stults & Smith, on the site of the Newton House. He was a prominent figure
in the Presbyterian Church Society, and for several years was postmaster of Savannah.
In 1845 he married Almira Whitney, by whom he had these children : Chandler H.,
born in 1848, now of Iowa; Horace W., born January 1, 1852; Willis H., born in 1855,
now of Pasadena, Cal.; Addison P., born December 30, 1866, and Charles A., born in
1860, now of Madera, Cal. Willis G. died in California in 1891, aged sixty-nine years,
after a residence of five years at Pasadena. After an academic course in Lyons, Horace
W. Smith attended Grammar School No. 35 in New York city, and later the College of
the City of New York (now New York University), but on account of ill-health did
not graduate. For twelve years he practiced telegraphy at Clyde, Rochester, Syracuse,
and Troy, at the latter place being chief operator. In 1864 he formed a co-partnership
with his brother, Addison, as general storekeepers on Main street, Savannah, which stil
continues. He was postmaster from 1889 to 1894, was six years on the Board of Edu-
cation, three years as village trustee, etc. He is a Knight Templar of Zenobia Com-
mandery, and for five years was master of Savannah Lodge No. 764, F. and A. M. Mr.
Smith has rare oratorical powers, often using that talent as the exponent of justice and
right. May 29, 1877, he married Estelle O, daughter of James Carris, of Tyre, N. Y.,
and has two sons : Raymond W., born March 16, 1880, and Frederick O, born Decem-
ber 2, 1885. The business career of Addison P. Smith began at twenty-one years of
age, with E. N. Leonard. He succeeded his father in the management of a general
store in Savannah. Five years later, in 1884, Mr. Leonard transferred his interest
to Horace Smith, thus forming the present firm of Smith Brothers. May 8, 1884, Addi-
son married Cora, daughter of Delos Betts, of Savannah, and their children are: Florence
May, born June 12, 1885; Anna Whitney, born May 2, 1887. Like his brother, Mr.
Smith is an ardent Republican, at present representing Savannah in the County Legisla-
ture for the second term. Besides the many minor offices of trust, which come un-
sought to the man of ability and enterprise, he served for seven successive years as
town clerk.
Sampson, Thomas, was born in the town of Lyons January 7, 1826, being born and
remaining on a farm, he followed that as an occupation. Thomas Sampson, sr., his
father, came to this country from England in 1806, then thirteen years old. He settled
at Lyons, where he continued to live up to his death, which occurred in 1868. Mr.
Sampson married Melinda Clark, of Penfield, September 3, 1821. They were the
parents of five children, of which there are three living, including Thomas. Thomas
Sampson, jr., married Anna Underbill, September 3, 1856, and to them were born seven
children, five of whom are living. Mr. Sampson is a farmer. In politics he is a Repub-
lican and has served as assessor twelve years, and as town clerk. He is a member of
the M. E, church.'
FAMILY SKETCHES. 105
Smith, Menzo, of Macedon, was born in the town of Ontario, Wayne county, April
28, 1839, a son of David Smith, a native of Ontario county (now Wayne county), who
was born in Palmyra June 5, 1805. The latter married Arvilla Pratt, a native of
Madison county, by whom he had five children three now living. David was also a
farmer and lived in the town for thirty years, dying December 24, 1893, his wife having
died about sixteen years previously. Shubal Smith, the grandfather, conducted a dis-
tillery where the Downing Brothers' malt house now stands in the village of Palmyra.
Our subject has always followed farming. In December, 1869, he married Hannah,
daughter of Seth Beal, one of the oldest families in this part of the county, and they
have had five children : Beal Mj, Frank E., who died aged eight years ; Mary E., Walter
P., and Agnes G., all residing at home at the present writing. Mr. Smith is a Repub-
lican and served in the late war for nine months, in the 111th N. Y. Volunteers, Com-
pany A.
Sutton, Ezra B., was born in Seneca Falls in 1850, and in 1870 became associated
with the Cleveland Base Ball Club, as third baseman, remaining with that club until
1873, when he joined the Athletic Club of Philadelphia, remaining there until the close
of 1876. He was then with the doston Base Ball Club until 1890, being in conninual
service as third baseman throughout the seasons of base ball for more than twenty
years. In 1886 he bought his home in Palmyra, and since 1890 he has furnished about
1,200 tons of ice annually to the citizens of Palmyra, cutting it all from his own
pond. March 13, 1872, he married Susie M. McKeg, and their children are : Bessie,
born in 1874, died in 1881, and Georgia May, born in 1889.
Sawyer, S. N.. was born in Palmyra in 1858, and educated at the Classical Union
School here, and at the Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass. He read law with S. B.
Mclntyre, and at the Albany Law School, and graduated in 1883. He then began the
practice of his profession in partnership with David S. Aldrich, under the firm name of
Aldrich & Sawyer, which firm continued till January 1, 1889, from which time he was
alone until July, 1893, when he took a partner, and the firm became Sawyer & Tinkle-
paugh. He was justice of the peace one term, village clerk from September, 1884, till
April, 1893, when he was elected president of the village, and re-elected in 1894. He
has been district attorney since 1889, and in politics is a Republican. He is also promi-
nent in Masonic orders, being past master of Palmyra Lodge, No. 248; F. & A. M.,
past high priest of Palmyra Eagle Chapter, No. 79, R. A. M.; past master of Palmyra
Council, No. 21, R. & S. M.; past commander Zenobia Commandery, K. T., No. 41 ;
past district deputy grand master of Grand Lodge, of the State of New York. He is
at present member of the Commission of Appeals, of Grand Lodge, of the State of New
York. He was for three years secretary of the New York State League Building and
Loan Association. October 20, 1885, he married Augusta, daughter of Rev. John G.
Webster, of Palmyra, and they have two daughters. Samuel W., father of our subject,
was born in Camden in 1821, and moved to Macedon in childhood. He came to Pal-
myra about 1840, where he has since resided. He has served as assessor, trustee and
president of the village.
Sweeting, William H'., M.D., was born September 22, 1851, at Victory, Cayuga
county. His father is Mortimer F. Sweeting, M.D., a native of Oneida county, who
came into Wayne in 1853, being still a practicing physician at South Butler. His
mother is Colan, daughter of Israel J. Clapp and Betsey (Swain) Clapp, of Butler, both
deceased recently, at the advanced ages of ninety-seven and ninety-five, respectively.
William H. Sweeting received the basis of his education in South Butler, and at nine-
teen years of age entered Cornell University, taking a scientific course. At twenty-
three he entered the office of the Deputy Secretary-of- State Anson S. Wood, as clerk of
criminal statistics. In 1878 he began the study of medicine with his father, and a year
later entered the Hahnemann Medical College at Chicago, remaining two years, and re-
106 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
ceiving his diploma in 1881. He began practice in Lyons, removing to Savannah in
1882, where he has since resided. January 15, 1885, he married Mary E. Van Wickle,
daughter of Simon and Maria (Lloyd) Van Wickle, of Savannah, by whom he has two
children: Charles Lloyd, born May 16, 1890, and Marjory Amelia, born May 14, 1893.
Dr. Sweeting has a large practice, and is very popular among his townspeople.
Sweeting, Volney K., was born in Camillus, Onondaga county, September 19, 1840,
a son of Mortimer F. Sweeting; remained there until about ten years of age, when he
removed to South Butler, Wayne county, was educated in the common and classical
schools at that place. In September, 1861, he left school and enlisted in Company E,
75th N. Y. Volunteers as a private, and continued with said regiment until the close of
the war in 1865, receiving promotions to sergeant, first sergeant and second lieutenant.
While second lieutenant had command of Company C; was with his regiment in the
various engagements on Bayous La Fourche and Teche, and the Red River in Louisi-
ana, and on the 14th of June, 1863, received a severe wound in the charge on Port
Hudson on the Mississippi, from which he has never fully recovered. Also served on
the James River, and in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, and after the battle of
Cedar Creek left the Shenandoah Valley with his regiment, and proceeded to Savannah,
Ga., where the regiment acted as a provost guard after its capture by General Sherman.
After the close of the war returned to South Butler, and January 1, 1867, accepted the
position of deputy county clerk with Judge T W. Collins, was also deputy clerk with
A. H. Gates, and in the fall of 1875 was elected county clerk for a term of three years.
In 1888 was elected county treasurer, and re-elected in 1891. In 1870 he married Anna
E. Dratt, of South Butler, who lived but two years, and in 1876 he married H. Louise,
daughter of Morton Brownson, of Lyons, and they have had two daughters, one of
whom, Mary L. survives. Harriet T. died in 1893, aged thirteen years. •
Taft, Newell, was born in Goshen, Mass., April 4, 1794, came to Wayne county, and
settled in Lyons in 1816, where he established a manufacturing business, and as con-
tractor and builder erected several dwellings and other buildings, and later established
the first iron foundry in Wpyne county, where he put in practical operation the first
steam engine ever used in the community. This foundry became justly celebrated
throughout the State, and its products were shipped to all parts of the United States
and Canada. He married Jane Sterrett, who was born in Elmira, and they had twelve
children, five of whom are still living. He was a prominent business man of his town
for over forty years, always interested in promoting its best interests, and particularly
identified with the Presbyterian church, of which he was an elder and liberal supporter
for more than fifty years. He died in December, 1874, at the age of eighty years, after
a life which commanded the respect of all who knew him. His son, Col. Edward F.
Taft, served in the 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, was wounded at the battle of Monocacy,
and lost a leg. At the close of the war he was appointed United States consul to Nica-
ragua, but the climate aggravated the enfeebled condition of his health, and he was ob-
liged to return to his home in Lyons, where he died January 20, 1867. The youngest
son, James N., was also in the 9th Artillery, leaving college to enlist after his brother
Edward was wounded. He also gave up his life at the call of duty, his death resulting
from exposure while in the service of his country. Morton Brownson, deceased, was
born in Montgomery, Orange county, N. Y., December 15, 1816. Early in life he mani-
fested a preference for mercantile pursuits, and while yet a young man was so fortunate
as to accumulate a sum sufficient to enable him to embark in business on his own ac-
couut. He came to Lyons in 1840 and established himself in the dry goods business.
In 1842 he married Harriet J., eldest daughter of the late Deacon Newell Taft, who sur-
vives him. Soon after he disposed of his interest in the dry goods trade and en-
tered into partnership with his father-in-law, who at that time was owner of the iron
foundry on Broad street. For several years prior to his death he was not engaged in
any active business. His family consisted of his wife and five children : Newell T.,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 107
who died in 1874 ; Willard EL, now commander in the United States navy ; Mrs. Vol.
ney H. Sweeting; Albert M., who died in 1882; and Jennie T. Mr. Brownson was
prominent and interested in all the leading events of the town. He died May 30, 1891,
Sprague, John A., M.D., was born August 28, 1852, the only son of Dr. L. L. Sprague
mentioned in this work. He was educated at Union Springs Academy, and studied
medicine with his father for about four years, and graduated from the Medical Univer-
sity of New York city in 1879. He located in his native village, where he has since had
a successful practice. He has been coroner of Wayne county for three years, and health
officer of Williamson from 1882 to March, 1893. Dr. Sprague is a member of Pultney-
ville Lodge No. 159, F. & A. M., and of A. 0. U. W., and also of the Select Knights.
He is a member of the Wayne County Medical Society, and of the New York State
Medical Association. On October 2, 1879, he married Maud A. Stevens, of New York
city, but a native of Ohio. Her mother was Harriet Giberson, and resides in William-
son. Dr. Sprague and his wife have three children: Edward A., Georgia M., andLa-
throp S.
Smith, F. B., was born in East Rush, Monroe county, January 1, 1845. His father,
Isaac O, was a native of the same county, the family originally coming from New
Haven, Conn. Isaac 0. was a prominent farmer in his town, and died in 1884, aged
sixty-nine years. F. B. Smith was educated in the common schools, to which he has
added through life by reading and close observation; after which he returned to his
father's farm, and in 1865 engaged in the livery business. In 1876 he engaged in the
milling business, remaining there until burned out May 30, 1885, then, in 1886, came to
Clyde and purchased the Clyde hotel property, one of the leading hotels in Central
New York. At the age of twenty-one he married Adrienne C, daughter of Andrew
Young, of Honeoye Falls, and they have three children: Charles M., F. Vernon, and
Mrs. Lelia M. Cornwell, of Palmyra. Subject is identified in advancing the best inter-
ests of the town.
Spencer, John M., was born in Hillsdale, Columbia county, October 11, 1828. His
father, Truman P., was a native of Columbia county. The family is of English descent,
four brothers having come from England at the same time. John M. was educated in
the common schools, to which he has added through life by reading and close observa-
tion. In 1844 he came to Clyde and entered the employ of John S. Gay, and in 1850
established the firm of Terry & Spencer, lumber dealers and builders. In 1852 he sold
out and engaged ir the manufacturing of sash and blinds. After 1856 he made a spe-
cialty of building and contract work. At the age of twenty-one he married Wealthy
R., daughter of Peter Knapp, of East Newark, and they have had four children, two of
whom are now living, Ford A., and Mrs. Christiana T. Brooks, of Clyde. Subject is
one of the leading men of his town.
Sherman, Durfee A., was born in East Palmyra June 24, 1815, was educated in the
public schools, and succeeded his father in the distillery business. When he attained
the age of twenty-one he sold the business and became a drover for twenty years. In
1851 he moved to Newark, where he has since lived. He bought a warehouse where
the opera house now stands, and became a dealer in produce and coal. In 1884 he
erected the Sherman Opera House Block. February 9, 1837, he married Susan H.
Fish, of Pultneyville, and they have five living children : Helen A., Francis A., Ste-
phen F., Wilson H. and Julia. Mr. Sherman's father, Alexander, was born in Cam-
bridge, New York, May 28, 1790, and came to this State with his parents when an in-
fant, where they located in Palmyra. He married Amy Sherman, of this county, and
they had six children: Ira D., Durfee A., Erastus, Abigail, Wilson O. and Myron, all
deceased except our subject. Alexander died August 1, 1823, and his wife in 1832.
Humphrey, the father of Alexander, was born in Rhode Island in 1758 and married
Mary Durfee, of his native place. They had fourteen children, and settled in East Pal-
los LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
myra, where they purchased from Phelps & Gorham 1,000 acres. Our subject's ma-
ternal grandfather was a cousin of Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the Declara-
tion of Independence. Mr. Sherman's father was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr.
and Mrs. Sherman celebrated their golden wedding February 9, 1887.
Siegrist, Dr. Alois, was born in Meisterschwanden, Switzerland, October 5, 1823, was
educated in the public schools, and studied surgery with his father, practicing three
years. He then began the study of medicine and practiced both, doing military
service on the German frontiers on the Rhine in 1848, and was assistant surgeon at the
hospital. In 1S51 he came to this country, first locating in Rochester at the time of
the cholera. In the fall of 1853 he came to Newark, having practiced with much suc-
cess since. He married Mary Ann Taeschler, of his native country, and they have one
son, who was educated in the Union Schools and Academy. He married Mary An-
drews, of Newark, and they have two daughters, Ella and Marie. He is agent for his
father in caring for his property. Dr. Siegrist is one of the foremost real estate owners
in Newark. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., No. 250, of Newark, and a member of
Wayne Encampment 85, I. 0. 0. F., and his father was town clerk and surgeon in the
old home in Switzerland twenty-five years. His grandfather, Jacob Siegrist, was a
surgeon in the French army under Napoleon I.
Stow, De L., was born in Clyde September 4, 1841. His father, William S. Stow,
was a native of Middletown, Vt., and came to Clyde and engaged in the practice of
law, building the office now occupied by his son, and which has been the place of busi-
ness of father and son for seventy years as a law and insurance office, and is claimed to
be the oldest insurance office in the United States. He married Maria A. De Zeng,
daughter of Mayor Frederick A. De Zeng, who was one of the first settlers in Clyde,
and who was one of the nobility of Germany. Mr. De Zeng was born at Dresden and
came to America during the Revolution as major of one of the German regiments.
After the close of the war he was largely interested in public enterprises for the devel-
opment of Western New York, and was the father of the glass industry of the United
States. De L. Stow was educated at the Yates Polytechnic Institute and at Hobart
College, Geneva. He read law with his father and was admitted to the bar December,
1862, and engaged in general practice. He married Miss Eunice S. Scott, daughter of
Jacob Scott, and to them the following children were born : William S. Stow, who died
in 1884; Alice, Agnes and Edith. Mr. Snow has been police justice of his town for
twenty years.
Selby, Amos E., was born in the town of Nelson, near Cleveland, Ohio, in April
1850. He is the oldest son of Stephen F. Selby, was educated at Shaw Academy, East
Cleveland, and spent two years at the Western Reserve University at Hudson, O. He
commenced his business career as builder and architect, which he followed for a number
of years. He married, in 1883, Evalyn Warren, of Cleveland, who was born at Warren,
O., and daughter of D. H. and Martha (Robinson) Warren. Mr. Warren was a shoe
merchant. He died in 1868, and his wife resides in Cleveland. They are the direct
descendants from the Joseph E. Warren of Revolutionary fame, and trace their ancestry
to one of three brothers, who came to Massachusetts in the Mayflower. Mr. Selby
came to the town of Williamson in the spring of 1883, and purchased the farm where he
has since resided and is largely engaged in fruit growing and evaporting. Mrs. Selby is
a member of the Disciple Church, but they attend and support the M. E. Church at
Pultneyville.
Sansbury, Alfred W., of Palmyra, was born in Princeton, N. J., in 1820, and came to
Palmyra when about twenty-four years old. He clerked for Lovett & Scotten a few
years, then for J. C. Lovett, who succeeded the above named firm, where he remained
till the closing of the business. Mr. Sansbury then embarked in the furniture trade
several years, but at the present time is not engaged actively in business. June 21,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 100
1854, he married Margaret A. Heminway.of Palmyra, the youngest of four children of
Truman Heminway, of Palmyra, who died August 28,1863. Mrs. Sansbury's mother
Mary (Aldrich) Heminway, died January 21, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Sansbury have had
these children: Alfred H., born February 8, 1857, died March 15, 1862; Mary Louise,
born April 28, 1863, now Mrs. H. E. Milles, and Albert Truman, born June 18, 1866.
Sherman, the late Wilson 0., was born in East Palmyra, Wayne county, April 16
1821. He was educated in the public schools, and his early life was spent in that town.
January 3, 1850, he married LydiaA., youngest child of Stephen and Lydia Fish, of
Newark, and moved to Newark, N. Y., in 1853, and they had one son, Charles W., who
was well educated. On account of ill health he had to abandon a college course. He
became a coal merchant and died when he was twenty-seven years old. Mr. Sherman
was a farmer and produce dealer. He died March 4, 1870. Mrs. Sherman's father,
Stephen Fish, was born in Middlebury, Mass., May 19, 1778. April 18, 1805, he mar-
ried Lydia Bowman, of Leverett, Mass., who was born July 5, 1784. They had these
children : Henry, William B., Emeline, Mary M., Henry L., who was mayor of Ro-
chester, where he resides ; Susanah H. and Lydia A. He died February 1, 1849. Mrs.
Sherman's grandfather, William Bowman, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War,
and was a surveyor by occupation. He surveyed Montreal and Quebec. Her grand-
mother lived until she was over one hundred years of age. They came here all the
way from Massachusetts with ox teams. Mrs. Sherman has recently opened three new
avenues, and within a year has sold nine building lots.
Smith, Rufus, was born in the town Arcadia April 2, 1838. His early life was spent on
a farm, and his education obtained in the common schools. He learned the trade of car-
penter and joiner and was an efficient workman. He followed his trade until 1864,
when he enlisted in Co. C, 111th Infantry, N. Y. Volunteers. He was in two general
engagements and skirmishes, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war.
Mr. Smith is a member of Vosburg Post, No. 99, G-. A. R., department of New York,
and has filled the position of senior vice-commander. Mr. Smith's father, Tunis M.
Smith, was born in Columbia county, January 30, 1798. He married Catherine
Fosmire, who was born July 30, 1807. They came to Bethel soon after marriage.
They had ten children as follows: Stephen, James, Andrew, Charlotte, Julia A.,
Francis, Rufus, Eliza E., Celesta and Edwin, only four now living. He died March 24.
1874, and his wife January 20, 1883. The ancestry of this family is German and
Dutch. They came to Western New York about the year 1820, and when they located
in the town of Arcadia soon after, it was little more than a wilderness, the family were
identified with the progress and prosperity of the town. Wild beasts were plenty,
flocks of deer used to roam in the woods, with plenty of wild game.
Sands, Edwin, was born in Elbridge, Onondaga county, September 12, 1836. His
father, Daniel Sands, was a native of Maine, and came to Jordan in 1816, where he
was one of the prominent farmers of the town, and died in 1872 at seventy years of
age. Edwin Sands was educated at Jordan Academy, after which he returned to his
father's farm. In 1865 he leased the Franklin House in Clyde, and in 1866 he pur-
chased the well-known Sands farm of ninety acres. Five years later Mr. Sands
established a flour and feed business, to which he added a large line of fine groceries
and crockery, also provisions. At the age of twenty-three he married Emily Abrams,
daughter of Harvey Abrams, and they are the parents of two children, Herbert and
Mrs. Laura Corrin. Mr. Sands has held office as trustee and has been elected super-
visor.
Skinner, Salmon H., was born in Ballston, Saratoga county, January 9, 1816. His
father, Major Adonijah Skinner, cavalry commander, was a, native of Connecticut, and
also a prominent farmer in Cambridge, N Y. He afterwards moved to Monroe county,
and died there on September 13, 1833, at the age of seventy-three. Salmon H. was
110 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
educated in the common schools, after which he returned to his father's farm. At the
age of twenty -four he married Sarah H., daughter of Joseph Sanford, and they have
six children, four of whom are now living, one son, Charles S., and three daughters:
Mrs. Alice McCutcheon, Sarah and Mary. In 1854 he came to Clyde and purchased the
Clyde hotel property, which he exchanged for mill property in 1850. The same year
he purchased a farm of 107 acres, which he now owns, raising fruit, hay, grain and
stock. His family was of English extraction, and took a prominent part in the Revo-
lutionary war.
Stuart, Charles W., was born in Greene county, September 21. 1837. He was edu-
cated in the district schools in that county until he was fourteen years old, when the
family moved to Syracuse, where he finished his education He learned the jeweler's
trade, and manufactured it ten years. In 1804 he came to Newark and began the
nursery business, purchasing of parties who were in the business in a small way. In a
short time he formed a co-partnership with his brother, John E., under the firm name
of C. W. Stuart Bros. May 9, 1800, he married Caroline Emmons, of Greenwich,
Fairfield county, Conn., and they have five children : Mary A., Charles H., Carolina M.,
Sarah R. and Kenneth E. Mary A. married E. V. Pierson, of Newark ; Caroline M.
married George H. Perkins, of Newark; Charles H. is in partnership with his father, in
the retail department of the business. He was educated in Cornell University, where
the youngest son is pursuing his studies at the present time. Mr. Stuart's father. Wil-
liam Harvey, was born in Greene county, January 7, 1810. In 1835 he married Adeline
Boardman, of Westerlo, Albany county, and they had four children, one died in in-
fancy : Charles W., Silas B. and John E. He died by accident at a political gathering,
A heavy wagon, drawn by forty-six yoke of oxen, ran over him. His wife resides with
Charles W. Mrs. Stuart's father. Isaac Emmons, was born in New York, September 10,
1799, was educated in that city, and in early life was a grocer. Afterwards he re-
moved to Connecticut. June 12, 1827, he married Mary E. Smith, who was born in
Brooklyn, and they had ten children, seven survive: Henry O., Mary L., Francis,
Amelia, Caroline, Virginia and Eliza. He died February 15, 1881, and his wife No-
vember 5, 1880. Mrs. Stuart's father, Obed Smith, ran the first steamer up the North
river. He was a sea man, who sailed all over the globe. This Smith family can be
traced to the Mayflower, to John and Priscilla Alden. The ancestry of this family are
Scotch and English.
Sands, Alexander, was born in Westchester county, September 25, 1822. His father
was Stephen, son of Samuel, who was a pioneer of Westchester county. The father of
Samuel was .lames, who came from England in an early day. lie purchased Block
Island of the natives and some of the family are still on the island. The grandfather
of subject, Samuel, was a farmer in Westchester county, and the homestead is still in
the family. He and wife were Quakers. Stephen and family came to Cayuga county,
in 1823, and bought a farm where they lived and died, he in 1805, aged seventy-four
years. His wife was Charity Piatt, and they had three sons and two daughters, all now
living. She died in 1890, aged ninety- five years. Subject was reared on the farm, has
been wool speculator about twenty years, and in the mercantile business at Lakeside a
while where he built a store building. He noAV has 225 acres mostley bought and set-
tled on in 1840, of which about 140 acres is set to large fruits of all kinds. In 1845 he
married Abigail I. Bates, born in 1824, and daughter of Orlando and Irene D. Bates,
of Orleans county. Mrs. Bates was a Durfee, and died in 1829. Mr. Bates was a
farmer and miller, and died March 15, 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Sands have no children, but
they reared a boy, John Scott, who studied law with Judge Cowles. He raised a com-
pany of volunteers in Wisconsin, who chose him captain, but he took sick and died at
Mound City, 111. Mr. Sands is a Republican, has been twenty-five years postmaster at
Lakeside, was provost marshal and enroling officer of the town during the war. They
attend and support the M. E. church.
FAMILY SKETCHES. Ill
Smith, J. E., M. D., was born in Hartwick, Otsego county, August 3, 1829. His
father, Chester, was a prominent farmer of that town and married Mary Ann, daughter
of Dr. George W. Arnold, and sister of the late Hon. I. N. Arnold of Chicago. Both
families came from Rhode Island. His mother died at New Rochelle, in October, 1859.
His father died at Clyde, September 9, 1892, at the advanced age of ninety-two. Dr.
Smith was educated at Franklin Institute, Delaware county, and at Hartwick Seminary,
and graduated in medicine at the College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York in 1854.
He first located at Corning, N. Y., forming a co-partnership with Dr. Rufus H. Gilbert
of that place, but after a few months moved to Waterloo, N. Y., purchasing the prop-
erty and practice of Dr. 0. S. Patterson, where he remained nearly two years till failing
health obliged him to give up a large and lucrative practice. He came to Clyde in the
fall of 1856, purchasing the drug store owned by Charles E. Piatt which he conducted
till the fall of 1860, when he again attended a course of medical lectures at the Jeffer-
son Medical College, Philadelphia, resuming the practice of his profession in the spring
of 1861, making a specialty of chronic diseases. He has since frequently spent several
weeks in New York at hospital and dispensary clinics, in order to keep himself abreast
of the progress of his profession At the age of twenty-five he married Mary E.,
daughter of George H. Derbyshire of Hartwick Seminary. Our subject is one of the
oldest and leading members of his profession to which his life work has been devoted,
caring little for social distinction or the emoluments of political life, but finding more
congenial work in the line of his profession.
Seavey, Alvah H., was born in Galen, September 23, 1843, son of John Seavey born
in Conway, N. H., in 1807, who was first a school teacher, later a dry goods clerk,
then a sailor, and came to Wayne county in 1840 and followed farming. He came to
Huron in 1854, served in various town offices, and died in 1881. His wife was Amanda
Gunn and their children were: Joseph, Josiah, Alvah H., Mary and Helena, wife of
D. M. Otis of Wolcott. Our subject began for himself early in life and for many years
devoted himself to saw-milling. In 1861 he enlisted in the 75th N. Y. Volunteers, and
was discharged on account of disability. In 1864 here-enlisted in the 22d N. Y.
Cavalry, and served till the close of the war, and went through the campaign of the
Shenandoah Valley. In 1865 he engaged in farming and threshing, in 1875 engaged
in the cooperage business, since which time he has been engaged in fruit growing. In
1867 he married Emily H., daughter of Roswell E. Reed, of Huron, born in 1848.
They have one adopted child, Grace L. Subject is a member of the G. A. R., Keesler
Post No. 55, of Wolcott.
Smith, Hastings B., was born in Marion, June 2, 1852, son of Dwight and Susan
(Burred) Smith, he a native of Amherst, Mass., born September 3, 1813, and she a native
of England. The grandparents were Samuel and Mary (Hastings) Smith, of Amherst,
Mass., who came to Marion in 1828, where the father died, aged sixty-one. The mother
spent her last days with her son in Tioga county. Pa., where she died, aged ninety-one.
At the age of fourteen Dwight Smith went to live with Joseph Colwell, brother-in-law,
and has always followed farming. His first wife was Mary Rice, by whom he had one
daughter, Harriet, wife of Peter De Wolf, of Marion. He bought the farm where he
now resides in 1839. He built a saw-mill on the farm, and was for many years en-
gaged in the manufacture of lumber. He has been supervisor of Marion five years.
Hastings B., was educated in Marion Collegiate Institute. He spent five years of his
younger days traveling in the west. He returned to Marion, and in 1880 married
Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Abigail (Howell) Negus, and they have seven
daughters : Carrie,Cassie, Eva, Leah, Mabel, Annie and Mildred. In 1887 Mr. Smith took
charge of the homestead farm, which he still carries on. He is also an ice dealer, and
furnishes ice for the village of Marion. He is a member of the K. 0. T. M., Security
Tent, No. 137.
112 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Sprague, L. S., M.D., was born in Bristol, Ontario county, April 22, 1820, one of eight
children of Dr. Philetus and Laura Seymour Sprague, the former born in 1780, and the
latter in 1783. They came to Bristol from Connecticut in an early day and went to
Cayuga county in 1822, and in 1850 they removed to Battle Creek, Mich., and there Dr.
Sprague died in 1853, and his wife in 1858. He was a member of the Medical Society
of Cayuga county. L. S. Sprague was reared on a farm until twelve years of age, and
was educated in Mexicoville and Skaneateles Academies. At the age of twenty-one he
went to Kenosha, Wis., and read medicine for two years with Dr. E. C. Mygatt, and
then one year with his father ; also spent one year with Dr. E. W. Bottum in Huron,
Wayne county. He next took a course at Geneva Medical College, from which he
graduated in 1845, and began his practice in South Sodus, where he remained four
years. He came to Williamson in 1849, where he has a very successful practice. He
is a member of the Wayne county Medical Society, and an honorary member of the
New York State Medical Society ; also a fellow of the New York State Medical Asso-
ciation. Dr. Spragne married. June 29, 1849, Mary, daughter of Dr. Josiah Bennett,
and she died, August, 1877. Dr. Sprague and wife have had two children, Dr. J. A.
Sprague, and Ellen J., born in 1858, and now wife of Jacob Collier, of Williamson, and
they have also an adopted daughter, Mary C, born in 1870.
Towar, Alex. H., was born in Alloway, August 14, 1836. His father was among the
earliest settlers in the town. A. H. Towar was educated in the Lyons Union School,
after which he learned the jewelers' trade with W. D. Perrine. and remained ten years,
In 1861 he entered the service of the United States as purveyor to Jefferson county
35th Regiment, in connection with E. A. Dickerson, and re-entered the service at the
expiration of his term of two years with the 50th Engineer Corps and remained until
the close of the war, and then returned to Lyons and bought a farm, making a specialty
of coach and road horses. In 1892 he established the New Haven Silver Plate Com-
pany, which he still carries on. At the age of twenty-six he married Harriet E.,
daughter of Alexander B. Williams, of Lyons, and has one daughter, Frederica Towar.
Our subject is one of the most active business men in his town, taking an interest in all
educational and religious matters.
Towar, H. T., was born in Lyons September 2, 1832. His father, James, born in
1806, was also a native of the town. The grandfather was Henry Towar, and came to
Wayne county with Charles Williamson, agent of the Pultney estate, and settled in
Alloway, where he was prominently known, erecting the mills and dug the raceway
at that place. He came from Alloa, Scotland, and gave the name of Alloway to that
place, where he settled. The family were among the French Huguenots that were
driven out of France by the revocation of the edict of Nantes and went to Scotland,
and came from there to the United States. Henry Towar conveyed Louis Phillippe,
King of France (in exile), from Newtown (now Elmira) to Harrisburg on a flat boat.
H. T. Towar was educated in the Lyons Union School, after leaving which he chose
the profession of dentistry, studying under E. W. Sylvester, of Lyons, and estab-
lished himself in business in 1855, and which he now carries on. At the age of
thirty-one he married Mary A., daughter of Hon. Alexander B. Williams. Our sub-
ject is one of the leading men in his profession in Lyons, identified in advancing the
best interests of his town also in educational and religious matters, and has been con-
nected with the Grace church of Lyons since 1852, and is now senior warden.
Taylor, William, was born in Sodus, Wayne county, July 26, 1844. His father, E. P.
Taylor, came from Northampton, Mass., to Lyons in 1805, and was one of the first
tanner and curriers in Wayne county, and the business is still continued by his son,
who makes a specialty of rough and sole leather. Our subject was educated in Lyons
Union School, to which he has added through life by reading and close observation.
At the age of twenty-four he married Mary M., daughter of Alfred Underhill, of
New York, and they have three children : Willard U., Morgan D., and Myron C. He
FAMILY SKETCHES. II'!
takes an active intelligent interest in educational and religious matters, and is identified
in advancing the best interests of his town, and is recognized as a man of high business
ability and sterling worth.
Warner, John A., was born in Ontario August 12, 1835, the third child of eleven
children born to Alanson and Catharine (Albright) Warner, natives of Worthington
Mass., and Holland respectively, she being five years old when she came to America!
In 1816 Alanson Warner came to Ontario with his parents, Andrew and Chloe (Fair-
man) Warner. Andrew Warner was born in Mansfield, Conn., in the year 1778, the
son of Matthew and Eunice (Stowel) Warner. Matthew Warner's paternal ancestor
was one of those brothers, who came from England at an early day previous to the
Revolutionary War. Matthew Warner had a brother named Andrew, who was a
soldier in the Revolutionary War, and who had a powder horn made for him and carved
with his name and a picture of the first liberty pole ever raised in America. This
powder horn descended to his nephew, Andrew Warner, who was a teamster in the
War of 1812, and is still in the possession of the family of our subject. Alanson
Warner was a farmer and spent his days in Ontario. He died November 3, 1883, and
his wife now lives in Ontario at the age of 83. His father died in Ontario in 1871 and
his mother in 1867. John A, Warner was reared on a farm, educated in the common
schools and Walworth and Macedon Academies, is a carpenter by trade and followed it
thirty-three years. He also owns a farm of ninety-seven acres, follows general farming
and fruit raising and has fifteen acres of orchard and six acres of berries. Mr. Warner
is a Republican, and he and his family are members of the Second Advent church. He
married in 1860 Harriet Morris, a native of Springwater, Livingston county, N. Y.,
born July 10, 1838, daughter of Lyman and Anna (Millet) Morris. He is a native of
Cazenovia, Madison county, and she of Williamson, Wayne county, N. Y. They had
ten children and died in Livingston county, he April 18, 1865, and she May 11, 1874.
Subject and wife have had six children : Clarence M., Rosco D., deceased ; S. Edith, A.
Emma, deceased ; Francis L. and Arthur A.
Waldorf, Reuben, was born in Columbia county, N. Y., in 1840. His father, Peter
Waldorf, now eighty-two years of age, is a resident of Clyde. His mother, Hannah
died in 1884, leaving a family of ten children, of whom our subject is the sole represen-
tative in Wolcott. Until 1870 he remained at Clyde with his parents, purchasing at
that time the farm, where he has since^resided. February 16, 1869, he married Lottie,
daughter of Henry Sheldon, and of their four children, two are now living: Harry,
born March 11, 1872, and Frank, born February 11, 1877. Lena, born June 26, 1870^
died in infancy, and Mae, born November 4, 1873, died when 18 years. old. The eldest
son, Harry, is a graduate of the 0. C. Seminary at Cazenovia, N. Y., and now occupies
a position as teacher at Leavenworth Institute, Wolcott, N. Y.
Wood, Sidney W., was born in Kingston, Ulster county, April 10, 1829. His
father, Israel Wood, a native of G-oshen, N. Y., came to Wayne county in 1830, and
purchased a farm in the southwest part of Galen. He died in 1834, aged 44 years. S.
W. Wood was educated in the common schools, after which he learned the machinist's
trade at Geneva. In 1866 he came to Clyde and established the machine works, in
connection with his brother, Seth H., which is now carried on under the firm name of
S. W. Wood & Son, manufacturers of portable and stationary steam engines and
boilers, and for which they have received awards from all parts of the States of New
York, Pennsvlvania, Michigan and Maryland. At the age of twenty-five he married
Catherine Whitmore, who died in 1868, and in 1876 he married second Catherine
Queeman. By his first wife he had three children : Henry S., Ray G. and Ella.
Taintor, C. A. L,, was born in Butler, where he now resides, January 24, 1845. He
is the youngest son of the late John R. Taintor, M. D., who died in 1879, aged
114 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
eventy-five. John R. Taintor wasjoneof the early settlers of Butler/erecting amidHis
primeval forest a frame house, which is now the home of his son, C. A. Taintor. in
wife, Roxana, was the mother of eight children, and died in 1879. John R. died
1866, aged about seventy-five years.
Ellenwood, Ensign W. (deceased), was born October 26, 1818, in the town of Butler
and early in life removed to the town of Rose. At the age of twenty- three he married
Catherine, the adopted daughter of Benjamin Fisk, who died in 1887. Mr. Illenwood
married in 1889 Mrs. Sarah J. Brant, daughter of John Holmes, of Salisbury, Conn.
Our subject was a prominent man in his town and county, was banker fifteen years at
Wolcott, and a large dealer in real estate in different parts of the county. Highly
educated and intelligent, he was a passionate lover of music, and was for some years
teacher throughout his county. He was killed in crossing the railroad track at New-
ark. He was seventy- one years of age on the day of the accident. Egbert Brant
(deceased), was born in Dutchess county in 1821, came to Wayne county in
1826, and settled in Sodus. He followed farming, and buying and shipping cat-
tle. At the age of twenty he married Sarah J. Holmes. He was prominently
identified in advancing the best interests of his town, and took a leading part in the
formation of the militia of his county in 1839, holding the rank of sergeant, lieutenant
and captain, and quartermaster, till they disbanded. In the fall of 1862 he was taken
ill, confined to the house all winter, and continued in gradually weakening health till
his death, April 2, 1875, regretted by all who knew him. He bore his sufferings with
the greatest patience, and those who knew him best loved him most.
Bumpus, E. D., was born in Madison county, January 30, 1831, son of James and
Eliza A. (Caswell) Bumpus, he a native of Nelson. Madison county, born in 1798, and
she a native of Fenner, same county, born in 1801. The paternal grandfather, Salathiel
Bumpus, was a native of Massachusetts and came to Nelson, Madison county in 1794,
where he died. The maternal grandfather was Zelotus Caswell, who died in Fenner
Madison county. The father of subject died in Fenner July 5, 1871, and his wife in
1876. Subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He went,
to California in 1859, engaged in mining for seven years, and in 1869 settled on the
farm he now owns of 150 acres, and follows general farming. He married in 1865
Charlotte Whipple, a native of Fenner, Madison county, and daughter of Elisha and
Lucy Whipple, who died in Nelson, Madison county. He attends and supports the
M. E. Church.
Stalker, Robert, a native of Rochester was born September 19, 1843, son of Isaac
and Esther (Clague) Stalker, he a native of Isle of Man, born in 1813, and she a native
of the same place, born in 1809. The paternal grandfather was Thomas Stalker a
native of England, who emigrated from the Isle of Man to Rochester in 1828, where he
died in 1857. His wife was Catharine Lord, a native of Isle of Man and of Scotch de-
scent. She died in Rochester in 1856. The father of subject was a wool sorter by
occupation, and came to Rochester in 1826 where he died in 1885. He was secretary
of the old volunteer fire department in Rochester, was an exempt fireman at the time of
his death, and a member of the police force for a number of years. His wife died in
1887. Subject was reared in Rochester, was a wool sorter twenty years, and was on
the police force from 1873 to 1877. He was also a member of the old volunteer fire
• department a number of years. He came in 1878 to Walworth and purchased forty
acres, but now owns seventy acres. He married, July 5, 1869, Henrietta Deane, a
native of East Walworth and daughter of John and Mary (Mercer) Deane, natives of
England who came to Walworth in an early day, and died in Macedon. Mr. Stalker
and wife have four children: Charles A., born March 11, 1870, in Rochester, and educated
in the Walworth and Macedon Academies. He has followed farming and also was a
book-keeper for William Stalker of Rochester, and was in the hospital one year, where
he had his right leg amputated. He is a regular correspondent for the Wayne County
FAMILY SKETCHES. 115
Dispatch. He now holds the office of collector for the second time, and is secretary
of the Phoenix Lodge No. 276, I. 0. G. T. ; Eobert W., born March 27, 1872, who
resides at hcne and has charge of the farm; Harriet E., born August 29, 1874, and
died October 15, 1883; and LillieB., born August 26, 1884.
Hoyt, Daniel, was born in Marion August 22, 1821, son of George and Harriet
(Skinner) Hoyt, he a native of Poinpey, Onondaga county, born June 29, 1796, and
she a native of New York, born in Marion April 8, 1800. George Hoyt came to
Marion with his parents, Asahel and Rhoda Hoyt, who lived and died in Marion. He
was a butcher by trade and died November 13, 1848, and his wife in Walworth March
7, 1871. In 1850 Mrs. Hoyt married a second time John McCall, born in 1798, justice
of the Peace in Walworth. He came from Monroe county previous to the war. and
died September 9, 1870. Our subject learned the blacksmith and carriagemaker's trade,
followed it twenty-eight years and then purchased in 1861 the farm he owns at present
of sixty-five acres, He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry. He married twice,
first in February, 1853, Mariett Cogswell, a native of Marion and daughter of Joseph
Cogswell, by whom he had two children, Egeron E., born January 5, 1854, wife of
George L. Lee, a merchant of Walworth. They have three children, Clinton, Marietta,
and Daniel H. ; Frank M., born June 21, 1855, who graduated from Bellevue Medical
Colleee in 1878 and practiced medicine in Brookline until his death July 15, 1887. His
wife was Isabelle Sinn, a native of Maryland, by whom he had two children, Frank M.
and Walter S. Mrs. Hoyt died April 15, 1870, and in December, 1871, he married
Esther G. Chase, a native of Walworth, born in March, 1836, a daughter of Lyman
and Martha A. (Andrews) Chase, natives of Massachusetts, he coming to Walworth in
1819, where he died. He was a cooper by trade and farmer, and they had nine chil-
dren. By a previous marriage to Comfort Green he had five children. Mr. Chase died
in 1864 and his wife in 1884.
Baker, J. W., born in Kent county, England, July 16, 1825, is the only child of
William W. and Charlotte (Eves) Baker, natives of England. He was born in 1803
and his wife in 1806. They came to Rochester in 1837, settled in Rochester, where Mr.
Baker died in 1862 and his wife in March, 1878. Our subject was raised in Rochester,
coming there at the age of twelve. He learned the carpenter's trade at twenty-four,
went to Marion and there resided four years, when he came to Walworth, where he
has since resided. He worked at his trade a short time, when in 1859 he engaged in
the mercantile business, in which he has been successful. Mr. Baker has been post-
master thirty-one years, first appointed in 1861. He married September 10, 1846,
Lucy A. Potter, a native of Marion, born April 20, 1825, daughter of Thomas and
Rowena (Hill) Potter. Mr. Baker and wife have had three children: William A.,
born October 1, 1847, who was educated in Walworth Academy and Rochester Uni-
versity, from which he graduated. He married Catharine Kane, a native of Roches-
ter, by whom he has had two children : George W., who died aged nine months, and
Minnie A., bom September 9, 1874 ; Charles H., born November 30, 1849, who was
educated in Walworth Academy. He married in 1883 Emily Parker, by whom he had
one son, John E., who died in infancy ; and Laura E., born August 10, 1851, educated
in Walworth Academy. She married Dr. H. L. Chase, of Palmyra, and they have two
children, Hattie and Willie.
Hoag, Myron L., Macedon Center, was born May 17, 1840, in Walworth. Humphrey
H., his father, was born in Macedon December 22, 1810, always followed farming, and
is still living in Macedon. Benjamin Hoag, the grandfather of our subject, was one of
the pioneer settlers. Humphrey Hoag held the office of supervisor and highway com-
missioner several years. He married in March, 1836, Rachel L. Briggs, and they had
four children : Isaac R., Henry C, Lindley M. and our subject, Myron L. Our subject
is a farmer, and at present is an extensive landowner in'Madecon. He married, Febru-
116 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
ary 8, 1866, Alice Smith, daughter of A. C. Smith, and they have had four children :
Nora E., Lena A., Willard S. (deceased) and Marian E. The family are devout mem-
bers of the M. E. Church.
John E. Baker was born on his present farm in 1836. His father, John Baker, was
born in England, came to this country in 1832, returned to England and married Eliz-
abeth Hall, and in 1883 settled here and bought the farm now owned by our subject.
In his family there were seven children including John E. Baker, who married Mary J.
Park in 1868, she a resident of Gates, Monroe county, and daughter of John and Rachel
Park. They are the parents of five children: Emma B. Everett, Fred D. of Rochester,
E. Percy, Albert M., and John, at home, the latter being the fifth John Baker by direct
descent. Mr. Baker is now justice of the peace in his third year. He is secretary and
treasurer of the Producers' Milk Company of Rochester, which has thirteen wagons now
running in the city, and in politics is a Republican.
Darling, Martin, was born in Milan, Dutchess county, February 28, 1840, son of the
late Peter Darling, who died December 27, 1891, aged eighty-two. Martin, educated
at Leavenworth Institute at Wolcott, taught a select school at Rose for a time, also in
the public schools. Some years of his earlier life were spent in Lowell, Mich., in a
wholesale grocery. Returning to Wayne county he traveled with tinware and house-
hold utensils until the opening of the Civil War, when he went to the front with Co.
D, of the 9th Artillery, a participant in their hard fought battles- until disabled while in
the hands of Mosby's guerrillas. January 11, 1866, he married Phoebe, daughter of Daniel
Lovejoy of Rose. Mr. Darling is a Republican, and while in Michigan was a deputy
sheriff. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic.
Tator, Jacob, was born in Columbia county September 12, 1816. He was educated
in the district schools, and has always followed farming. January 30, 1845, he mar-
ried Phoebe T. Shumway of his own county, and they have one son, Cyrus A., who is
a business man in the gents furnishing goods business in Newark. The family came to
Phelps, Ontario county in 1859, where they resided until 1883 when he retired, but still
owns the farm. The son, Cyrus A., was born at the old home in Columbia county Feb-
ruary 28, 1847. He has married twice, first October 12, 1870, Mary J. Burgess of
Phelps, and they had one son Oay E., born November 3, 1879. She died November
27, 1880, and he married second October 5, 1887, Estella Cline, by whom he has one
daughter. Bertha C. Mr. Tator's father, George A., was born in Columbia county
March 8, 1877. He married twice, first to Gertrude Groat, by whom he had eleven
children: Henry, died young; George, Mary, Gustina, Catherine, William, Hannah,
Peter, John, Jacob, and Gertrude. Mrs. Tator died November 30, 1818. He married
second Mrs. Rebecca Miller, by whom he had six children : Margaret, Sophia, Harriet,
David, Sarah, and Henry second. Mr. Tator died irt 1832 and his wife in 1862. Mrs.
Jacob Tator's father, Iaaac Shumway, was born in Ohio September 6, 1786, and died
January 22, 1865. He married Mary Evans, born April 29, 1787, died October 23,
1861. They had eleven children. He was a soldier of the War of 1812. The family
came to reside here in 1848,
Clasby, Patrick W., was born in the province of Minster, Ireland, March 15, 1827,
came to the United States in 1848 and in 1856 to Clyde. At the age of thirty-two he
married Bridget Mulligan, daughter of Michael Mulligan, by whom he has three sons:
William J., Francis P., and James H., also one daughter, Mrs. Maria Crawley. In 1862
he bought the Darius Cole property of fifty acres, and in 1870 he bought the Sigmund
property of fifty acres. In 1872 he added fifty acres of the Abraham Ferguson farm,
and in 1887 bought fourteen acres of L. Malchoff, having nearly 165 acres in all, on
which he raises fruit, hay, grain and, stock. Our subject is one of the representative
farmers of Wayne county, taking an active interest in school and church matters.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 117
Smith, Gideon, of Macedon, was born here February 16, 1820, a son of Asa Smith a
native of Farmington, Ontario county, and a son of Jonathan Smith, one of the first
settlers of the town of Farmington, and a native of Massachusetts. The latter took
up a large tract of land in Farmington, and was one of the first to build a dam at
Manchester. He was killed at an early age, while raising a new building. Asa was a
mechanic, and also followed farming. He married Anna Herendeen, daughter of Wel-
come Herendeen. The mother of Anna was a member of the Durfee family of Pal-
myra. Asa and wife had these children: Elizabeth D., a namesake of her grand-
mother Durfee; Gideon H., Addison C, who died at an early age; George W., now in
California; Hulda Peacock (deceased), and Martha J. Appleby (deceased). Our sub-
ject worked at home until May, 1841, when he married Mary S., daughter of William
and Anna Clark, of Dutchess county, and settled on the farm he now owns in Mace-
don, comprising 114 acres. To this place he has added until he now owns 290 acres.
He has also just bought another of thirty acres, part of the old Colvin farm. Mr.
Smith is the oldest man living in the town who was born here, and has resided con-
tinually, a strict attendant at the Friends' church, of which Mrs. Smith has been a life
member, and in politics is a Republican.
Palmer, William A., was born in Argyle, Washington county, May 22, 1847, son of
Levi H. Palmer, born in Butler, Wayne county, in 1826. The grandfather was William
Palmer. Levi married Eleenor Sebring, of Wolcott, and their children are: William
A., Mrs. Amanda To'ungs, Levi and John. At the age of fourteen subject began life
for himself, has always been industrious and upright, and built a home for and sup-
ported his parents in their old age. In 1885 he purchased his present farm near the
village of Wolcott, and from 1877 to 1880 was interested as traveling salesman in the
nursery business. In 1880 he married Mary M., daughter of Elias Lasher, of Mont-
gomery county. Subject and wife are members of the Wolcott Grange.
Watkins, R. H, M.D., only son of Ralph and Emily Watkins, of Camillus, Onondasra
county, was born January 5, 1861. His father was a civil engineer and died in the
vicinity of Pike's Peak in 1860, while engaged in the United States geodetic survey.
His fate was never definitely ascertained. Mrs. Watkins thenceforward devoted her
life and energies to the education and advancement of her son. She died at her home
in Wolcott June 8, 1890, aged sixty-two years. Dr. Watkins was graduated from
Syracuse University in 1883, and after a year of practice at St. Joseph's Hospital,
Syracuse, he assumed medical direction of the Onondaga county insane. In 1888 he
came to Wolcott. He married, July 15, 1891, M. Addie, daughter of H. E. Cornwell,
of Wolcott.
Wheeler, Hiland Hill, was born at Cairo, Greene county, November 23, 1808,
the offspring of three of the early and iufluential families of Connecticut, his mother,
Grizel Osborn, his grandmother, Sally Burr. His father, Eli Wheeler, who had emi-
grated from New England, came to Butler in 1810 with his aged parent, Jedediah
Wheeler, who, dying soon after, was the first white man known to be buried in that
town. Reared in the wilderness, scholastic advantages were rare ; but native talent
and a desire for mental development and knowledge made up for the lack. A few
months' attendance in the common schools and a short course with Dr. Ostrander at his
academy in Lyons supplementing a habit of assimilating whatever came under his ob-
servation, keen at all times, made him a more than ordinary scholar — an educated man.
In early manhood he went West in search of fortune, and spent a season in Cincinnati,
but ill-health compelled his return. He went to New York city, studied law, and
practiced successfully till about the year 1860. Financial reverses, the loss of three
children in quick succession, the disappointments incident to his life, a retiring disposi-
tion, a love of quiet study and attachment for the home of his childhood brought him
back to his country residence, where he passed his days until his death, July 1, 1894.
In 1842 he was married to Margaret, the daughter of Robert Mathison, a merchant of
118 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
New York city, and Sarah Nelson, his wife, of Scotch-Irish and English parentage.
She died in the year 1865. They had eight children : Annie, Hiland H., Robert M.,
Margaret, Lauder M,, Thurlow W., Claude H., and Stella, of whom the former two
and the latter two survive. He was a mettlesome boy, full of life and activity,
physically and mentally ; a business man, prompt, thorough, clear-headed, painstaking,
and capable of great endurance ; a citizen, quiet, law-abiding, patriotic, honorable; a
husband and father, generous, indulgent, and loving ; a friend and neighbor, kind,
sympathetic, self-denying, and benevolent; a gentleman of the old school, courteous
and reserved ; a Christian, pure, devout, and consistent ; a man of rare exactness and
patient persistence, in intellectual acquisition, and in the proper conduct of life accord-
ing to the standard of principles adopted in early life, maintained unflinchingly. His
motto was, " Be calm," and his self-control was remarkable. He took a deep and
lively interest in the affairs and progress of the whole world, reading, thinking, and
writing about them almost to the day of his death. Extreme diffidence and a too
great confidence in the rectitude of humanity interfered with the obtaining of such a
measure of what men call success in life, as his talents unquestionably entitled him, and
as he doubtless desired. But his life was successful in the accomplishment of the wish
he often expressed. The world is the better off for his having lived in it.
Fisher, John N., was born in Williamson November 16, 1857. He is the youngest of
four children of James and Diana (Laco) Fisher, who settled in Williamson in 1844,
where he died in 1866, and his wife in 1893. Mr. Fisher was always a farmer, and was
a Republican. Subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools.
He has made his own way in the world, owns thirty-seven and one-half acres of land,
and follows general farming and fruit growing. He was a Republican. He married in
February, 1887, Jennie Wemesfelder, a native of Walworth, and daughter of Jacob and
Mary Wemesfelder, and they have had one child, Mervyn, born November 11, 1887.
Garlock, Frank, was born in the town of Phelps, Ontario county, October 4, 1852.
He was educated in the district schools in the town of Manchester, came to Newark
and attended the Union school and Academy. At the age of seventeen he became a
clerk in the post-office and was a clerk for two years. He then came to the store he
now occupies and owns, as clerk for J. S. Cronise & Co., eight years; then became a
partner as junior member of the firm. In 1886 Mr. Cronise retired from the business,
and Mr. Garlock bought the entire stock of hardware and building supplies, and is still
conducting it with success. The Reed Manufacturing Co. was organized October 1,
1890, for making anti-rust tinware and specialties. He is its manager, director and stock-
holder. September 15, 1875, he married Alida Brown of Port Gibson, N. Y,, and they
had five children : Frank F., Mabel F., Alida M., Harriet E., and Jennie E. Mr. Garlock's
father, James, was born in the town of Phelps June 1, 182S. He was educated in the
Union school at Phelps, and is a machinist and pattern maker. February 6, 1851, he
married Elizabeth Van Dusen of his native place, and they had two children, Frank, as
above noted, and Jennie E., now Mrs. Charles A. Welcher, of Newark. The ancestry
of this family is German and Dutch.
Campbell, W. P., was born October 3, 1853, at Adams, Jefferson county. His father,
Alexander, who died in 1889, was a Seventh Day Baptist clergyman and evangelist,
and during a public life of fifty years and the founder of the De Ruyter Institute in
Madison county, known as the first high school of that denomination. William was
educated at Verona, Madison county, and at seventeen years of age was placed in
charge of a large merchant milling business. September 28, 1874, he married Elizabeth,
daughter of H. C. Coon, of De Ruyter, and their children are : Glennie M.,who died in
1887, when six years four months old ; Alexander, born September 4, 1884 ; and Wil-
liam P., born March 8, 1893. In 1875 Mr. Campbell engaged in the clothing business in
Wolcott in partnership with Delos Whitford, conducting the same until his appointment
as postmaster in 1890.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 110
Pritcbard, John, youngest son of William and Lydia Pritchard, was born in Butler in
1843. The elder Pritchard, born in Albany in 1810, came to Butler when eleven years
of age, driving an ox team to Albany, a prodigy of youthful endurance and resolution.
He became a citizen of prominence, and was at various times assessor and overseer of
the poor, and died in 1884. His wife, Lydia, surviving him four years, and reaching
the age of eighty-one years. Our subject enlisted in 1862 in the Ninth Artillery, and
experienced all the vicissitudes of a' soldier's life until the close of the war. A brother,
Chester B. Pritchard, enlisted August 22, 1861, in the 75th N. Y. Vol., re-enlisted in
January, 1864, was killed at the battle of Winchester September 19, 1864. His wife is
Mary, daughter of Jeremiah and Eliza Hollenbeck of Butler. They were maried Feb-
ruary 26, 1868, and have no children.
Rosenberg, M. M., was born in Seneca Falls September 28, 1847, was married to
Cora, daughter of Joshua Lautenschlager, February 8, 1832. They have one daughter,
Myrta Mae, born November 19, 1884. His father, the late Andrew Rosenberg, moved
from Seneca Falls thirty years ago to the town of Butler, his occupation being carpen-
ter and joiner. He followed his occupation until his death, which occurred July 2,
1887.
Hamm, Andrew J., was born in Walworth November 27, 1861, the only child of
Jacob and Margaret (Smith) Hamm, the former a native of Columbia county, whose
parents were Andrew and Hannah Hamm, also of that county, who in 1854 came to
this town. Jacob was a farmer, and the first hop grower in Wayne county. His
widow now resides on the homestead, where his death occurred January 3, 1892. Our
subject was educated in Walworth and Macedon Academies and Lima Seminary. He
is a farmer, and in partnership with his cousin, Edward Hamm, (who was reared by
Jacob), owns seventy-six acres of land and makes a specialty of hop growing, having
seventeen acres. He has also engaged in evaporating apples. In 1883 he married
Emma L. Butler, daughter of William Butler, by whom he has three children : Libbie,
Fanny and Bert. William M. Butler was born in Ontario, September 21, 1820, a son
of Orman and Lydia (Reed) Butler, and a grandson of Israel Butler, of Hartford, Conn.,
born in 1761, who was one of nine brothers who all served in the Revolutinary war.
Lamb, Chauncey B., was born in the town of Galen, October 7, 1819. His father,
Joseph Lamb, came from Connecticut to Wayne county in 1800, and there raised a
family of eleven children, of whom Chauncey B. is the only one now living. He was
educated in the old log school house, and is practically a self-made man. At the age
of twenty-three he married Elizabeth, daughter of William Vandemark, and they are
the parents of three children, two of whom are now living: Eugene Lamb and Mrs.
Catherine E. Hopkins. Eugene married Stella A., daughter of Charles Servis, and
they are the parents of one son, Charles, and one daughter, Grace. Alonzo married
Addie, daughter of Jacob Carven, and they have one son, Clarence. Our subject is one
of the oldest farmers in Wayne county, having 112 acres of land and raising fruit, hay,
grain and stock.
Fisher, Charles, was born in Alloway, Wayne county, N. Y., June 2, 1864. His
father came from Bakern, Glenminster, Germany, in 1858, settled in Alloway and fol-
lowed the blacksmith trade, which was his trade in Germany. Leaving school at the
age of sixteen Charles worked one year as a farm laborer. In 1881 he entered the em-
ploy of Tomas & Collier in Rose Valley, N. Y., learning the trade of his father before
him, returning to Alloway in 1884 and starting in business for himself in the small
shop owned by M. M. Rogers. Two years later finding his work increasing he built
two shops in that place. In 1893 sold out to William Kiser, came to Lyons and built
the block now occupied by him on Water street, as a carriage and sleigh repository and
a first-class horse shoeing shop, which is one of the finest furnished and largest in the
120 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
State. Being an expert at his business, and one of the best informed men on the
structure of the foot of a horse in Central New York, horses are sent him from all parts
of the country. At the age of twenty-four he married Martha Whitlock, who lived
less than a year, and in 1894 married Anna, second daughter of the late Chauncey Mus-
selman of Phelps, Ontario county, N. Y. Our subject is the leading man in his business
in Wayne county and surrounding counties, and is recognized as a man of sterling worth
and integrity.
Curtis, Daniel, was born in Marion November 1, 1808. He was reared on the farm
he owns, and educated in the common schools. He has always been a farmer and owns
150 acres of land, the farm his father settled. He has been highway commissioner and
poormaster. He married May 33, 1833, Harriet D. Peckham, a native of Palmyra,
born November 16. 1812 (died August 20, 1877), and daughter of Charles Peckham, one
of the early settlers of Palmyra where he lived and died. He was a merchant of that
placp. They had three children : Mary A. J., wife of Thomas Clark of Marion, who
has four children ; Charles D., born in 1839, who was raised on a farm and educated in
Marion Collegiate Institute. He married Mary A. Dean January 2, 1861, a native of
Marion, born April 2, 1841, daughter of Daniel Dean of Marion, where he died. Mrs.
Curtis died January 25, 1893, and Mr. Curtis has always resided on the homeatead.
Daniel F., born Sep'ember 12, 1852, physician of Rochester, who was educated in
Marion Institute, and graduated from Bellevue Medical College in 1878. The father
of Daniel was Seth, born in Connecticut November 24, 1878. He was a son of Daniel,
born May 15, 1735, whose father, Caleb Curtis, was born October 26, 1703 and died
November 25, 177S. Daniel died July 18. 1817. Seth Curtis married Mary A. Case,
born January 23, 1780. He died May 31, 1861, and his wife died October 8, 1834.
Powers, Israel, was born in Galen on the old Powers homestead March 26, 1836. His
father, Edwin Powers, was a native of Herkimer county, and came to Wayne county
in 1815, settling on the farm now occupied by his descendants. Edwin Powers died
in 1844, aged forty-four years, a man who was respected by all who knew him. Israel
Powers was educated in the district school house standing on the Powers estate. At the
age of thirty he married Phoebe A. Cooper, who died in 1879. He married second in
1882 Pauline L. Nichols, and they have two children: Porter I., and Lina E. In 1862
he purchased the homestead property of seventy acres, in 1886 purchased part of the
Israel Wise estate of forty acres, raising fruit, hay, grain and stock and making a
specialty of butter making. Our subject is one of the representative men of his town,
taking active interest in educational and religious matters.
Gates, Joseph J., was born in Sodus, N. Y., in 1844, and he is the third of the six
children of John and Elizabeth Gates. He is a native of Yorkshire, England. In 1831
he came to Sodus and died in 1886, and his wife in 1885. He was a farmer and owned
180 acres. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, and
has always been a farmer. He owned a farm in Williamson and traded it for the farm
he now owns, and has 124 acres. Mr. Gates is a Republican and a member of the
Williamson Grange. December 15,1880, he married Mary A. Hall, a native of Sodus
and daughter of John and Anna Hall. They have one son, William J.
Wood, Rose E., the youngest daughter of the late Cornelius and Elizabeth Foster
Wood, has her home among the historic associations clus'ering about the old homestead,
where her parents settled nearly seventy years ago, and where they lived and died.
They came from Saratoga county and into a wilderness almost unbroken. Six children
were the fruit of their marriage : Byron B., Eveington D., Francis A., Euphama E.,
Harriet E. and Rose E. Five children still survive their parents.
Russell, Darius F., was born in Williamson January 24, 1839, a son of Nathaniel and
Rachael W. (Prescott) Russell, he a native of Williamson, born in 1804, and she born
FAMILY SKETCHES. 121
in Vermont in 1803. She was a daughter of Capt. Zacheus Prescott, of the Vermont
militia, and her grandfather and two uncles were Revolutionary soldiers from Vermont.
Nathaniel was a son of Daniel Russell, who owned the farm now in possession of our
subject. Darius F. was reared on the farm, educated in the common schools arid in the
Marion Collegiate Institute, and began teaching at the age of eighteen, continuing for
seven winters. He was the first man to enlist in the first war meeting in the town of
Williamson, enlisting September 11, 1861, in Company], 17th N. Y. Vols. He served
three years in the Army of the Potomac, and was in the seven days fight before Rich-
mond, second battle of Bull Run, and other engagements. He enlisted for eleven dol-
lars a month when he could readily get twenty dollars for teaching. He is a Prohibi-
tionist and has been chairman of the Wayne County Prohibition Committee seven
years. For several years he was a member of the Prohibition State Committee, and
has served as delegate to their State Conventions several times. In 1888 he was a del-
gate to the National Prohibition Convention at Indianapolis, representing his congres-
sional district; and he voted for Clinton B. Fisk a? the nominee for president. He was
elected justice of the peace twice while residing in Marion. He is a member of the
grange and was master one year, and has also been chief of the lodge of Good Tem-
plars. He organized the Town Sunday School Association, of which he was president
seven years, leaving it in a flourishing condition. He and his wife are members of the
M. E. Church and he has taught the young people's class in the Sunday-school for
eighteen years, being also superintendent of the Sabbath-school a portion of the time.
March 9, 1865, Mr. Russell married Maria Van Ostrand, a native of Marion, and they
had two children, Fred. D., a real estate dealer, and Katie L., both residing in Buffalo.
His second wife was Dora V. Tuttle, a native of Steuben county, and they have three
children, Charles Prescott, Rachael E., and Mildred C. The father of our subject was a
strong anti-slavery, anti-whisky and anti-tobacco man, precepts which Mr. Russell has
followed strictly. He is now extensively engaged in fruit growing, cultivating four-
teen different kinds of fruit.
Burghdorf, Adonijah, was born in Huron in 1847, and is next to the youngest son of
the late Jacob and Miranda Burghdorf. Educated chiefly at Wolcott, he began farming
in Wolcott in 1867, coming to his present locality in 1894, after a residence of three years
in Victory. He married, January 1, 1870, Catharine, daughter of John Bloommgdale, of
Fairhaven, and their only child living is Harry, born in 1879. An elder son, Howard,
died May 7, 1891, when twenty years of age. From the residence of Mr. Burghdorf a
view of Lake Ontario may be obtained, this being the highest point of land in Wayne
county.
Pangburn, George W., who in July, 1893, first assumed his duties as postmaster at
at South Butler, was born May 2, 1865 near the village of Clyde, in the town of Galen.
He was deputy postmaster during the latter part of Cleveland's first administration and
so well did he execute his official duties that his friends vigorously pushed his name to
the front for the postmastership at the beginning of President Cleveland's second term
which resulted, after a decidedly warm fight, in his being appointed. He is considered
an eminently capable and acceptacle official. He is the youngest son of William Pang-
burn, who is general traveling agent for A. W. Stevens & Son, of Auburn, N. Y. On
March 28, 1888 he married Minnie Draft the youngest daughter of Abram and Sarah
Dratt, of South Butler, N. Y. In connection with the post-office, Mr. Pangburn carries
a choice stock of cigars, tobaccos, stationery and confectionery.
York, Dr. George Dauson, was born in Huron, August 17, 1857, and is the son of the
Rev. George P. York, born January, 1831, whose father was John York born Decem-
ber, 1798, a native of Maine, of English ancestry, who came to Huron in 1819. His
wife was Mary H. Dawson, born May, 1799, and they had eight children, of whom
George P., the father of our subject, was the fourth, reared on a farm. Later he
p
122 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
studied for the ministry and is now a pastor of a Methodist Protestant church. He
maried first Elizabeth J., daughter of Nathaniel Tooker, of Huron, and they had two
children, George D., and Ella, who died at the age of twenty-three. His first wife died
in October, 1876, and in 1882 he married Ella J. Cole, of Jefferson county, N. Y. Rev.
George P. York, is now president of the Onondaga Conference. Our subject's prelim-
inary education was received in the Wolcott and Sodus academies, and at the age of
eighteen he commenced studying medicine wi}h Dr. E. W. Bottom, of Lyons, where he
remained four years. In 1881 he graduated from the medical department of the Buffalo
University, and in 1889 he took a course in the New York Post-graduate Medical Hos-
pital and has been in practice in Huron for thirteen years, enjoying a large and exten-
sive practice. In April, 1882, he married Minnie H, daughter of William W. and
Louisa Gatchell, of Huron and their children are : Louise E., born April, 1883 ; Edwin
Whittier, October, 1892. Our subject is a member of the Wayne County Medical
Society (of which he has also been president) and the Masonic order, Rose Lodge, No.
590, and has been county coroner.
York, Thomas, was born in Lyons November 21, 1830. His father, Thomas, came
from Maine with Robert York, who took part in the War of 1812, and were among
the earliest settlers in the county. Thomas was educated in the common schools, to
which he has added through life by reading and close observation. Afterward he
returned to his father's farm. At the age of forty he married Cephese, daughter of
Abraham Barclay, and they are the parents of three children : Edwin E., Albert T.,
and Sadie C. In 1860 he inherited the York homestead of seventy-five acres, which
has been in the possession of the family for ninety years, raising hay, grain and stock.
In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, being one of the non-
commissioned officers of that regiment, and took part in the battles of Monocacy Junc-
tion, Cold Harbor and other engagements, and received an honorable discharge at the
close of the war. Our subject is one of the conservative men of the town, identified in
advancing its best interests, and the leading events of the day.
Ellison, Richard T., a native of Dutchess county, born in 1834, it the only son of
Tripp and Mary Ann (Arnold) Ellison, natives of New York, he born August 6, 1792,
and she June 4, 1798. The grandparents were Thomas and Amy Ellison, natives of
Long Island, but early settlers of Dutchess county, where they died. Tripp Ellison was
reared on a farm, but learned the trade of tailor, at which he worked in Poughkeepsie.
He spent about fifteen years on a farm in Palmyra, Wayne county, and died in Palmyra,
Wayne county, March 8, 1853. His wife died November 12, 1841. Subject was
reared on a farm, and has always followed farming. He came to Walworth in 1856,
and bought the farm where he now resides in 1860. January 6, 1860, he married
Phoebe A. Parker, born in 1834, and daughter of John and Eleanor (Fields) Parker of
Walworth. John Parker died in 1873, and his widow survives him in Walworth.
Mr. and Mrs. Ellison have had one daughter, Celia E., wife of Leon M. Sherburne, of
Walworth. He has been justice of the peace since 1869, and eight years supervisor of
Walworth. He and wife attend and support the M. E. Church of Walworth.
Harrison, George, was born in the town of Palmyra November 19, 1819. His father,
Luman Harrison, was born in Cornwall, Litchfield county, Conn., in 1776, and came to
Palmyra in the spring of 1797. In 1811 he was married to Phebe Culver, who was
born at Southampton, L. I., August 5, 1793, and came to Palmyra in 1796 with her
parents, George and Ruth Culver, and the grandfather Moses Culver and family, travel-
ing by the inland water route, and landing near the east line of the town. In the spring
of 1811 Luman Harrison purchased of John Swift and James Galloway the grist mill,
and one acre of land on the south side of Mud Creek, together with about four acres on
the north side from Stephen Post, of Southampton, L. I., and Joel Foster, of Palmyra;
upon this he built a house, moving into it the same year. There they lived during their
FAMILY SKETCHES. 123
entire married life. As a farmer, miller and distiller Mr. Harrison was a successful busi-
ness man. Buying land as opportunity offered, he owned, at the time of his death in
1831, a farm of about 160 acres adjoining his first purchase. George Harrison has re-
sided from his birth on the premises purchased by his father in 1811. From 1839 to
1882 he carried on the farming and milling business with energy and success. At the
latter date his sons took charge under the firm name of Harrison Brothers. On the
19th of May, 1846, he married Susan Reeves of the same town, the only daughter of
Lyman and Hannah Arrilla Reeves, and to them were born three children : James L.,
born February 27, 1847 ; Jane Arrilla, now the wife of Rev. Willard K. Spencer, of
Adrian, Mich., born May 4, 1854, and Charles Reeves, born September 4, 1856. ' At
the age of twenty he received a commission from Gov. William H. Seward as aid-de-
camp to the brigadier-general of the 24th Brigade, N. Y. State Militia, and served as
such until the disbanding of the brigade in 1844. In politics he is a Democrat. In 1875,
after having filled several minor offices, he was elected supervisor of the town, and
held the office for five successive terms, ranking as one of the ablest members of the
board. In 1875 the old house which had been the birthplace of his father's children
and his own, was removed and a commodious new house was erected on the same site
in which he still lives.
Gilbert, N. B., was born near Canaan Four Corners, Columbia county, on a farm
February 9, 1802. He was the oldest of seven children, and at the age of about four-
teen his father died. From that time he assisted his mother in rearing the family, and
about six years later they removed to Troy, where Mr. Gilbert learned the carpenter and
joiner's trade, at which he worked summers, teaching school in the winter. He had a
select school at the Townsend Nail Works (now the Burden Iron Works). March 29,
1829, he married Mary Ann Swartwout in Troy and soon after removed to the old home-
stead, conducting the farm and also engaging in carpentry at which he employed sev-
eral men. In 1837 he came with his family to Lock Berlin, Wayne county, and en-
gaged at his trade. In the summer of 1838 he built the church at Lock Berlin and soon
after one at Fairville and another at Junius, Seneca county. He was elected superin-
tendent of schools of the town of Galen, serving a number of terms, and was elected
justice of the peace in 1841. In 1849 he engaged in the manufacture of carriages, em-
ploying from eight to twelve men, continuing to the time of his death in December,
1875, aged seventy-three years. His wife died in June, 1889, aged eighty-one. He
was a Whig and later a Republican on the formation of that party, and was an active
politician. He was a prominent member of the M. E. Church and active in the cause
of temperance. He left two children : W. H., who now resides in Lock Berlin, and
Mary Antoinette of Syracuse. William H. was educated in Lock Berlin, and at the age
of twenty-nine married Martha L., daughter of Absalon Tyndall, by whom he has one
son, Loring H. In 1880 Mr. Gilbert bought part of the Cookingham estate, and also
now owns his father's estate. He is a prominent man in his town, having served as
justice of the peace twelve years. He is a steward and trustee of the M. E. Church.
Morse, John J., was born in Walworth, January 9, 1848, a son of Amos and Lucina
(Finley) Morse, natives of Walworth. The father of Amos was Jedediah, one of the
earliest settlers of Walworth, who first settled in Connecticut, then came to Walworth,
where he died. The father of Lucina was John Finley, son of Charles, a native of
Ireland, who was also one of the early settlers who owned at time of his death about
240 acres of land in Walworth, where he died. Amos Morse is a farmer, owning 100
acres in Walworth, where he now lives. Mrs. Morse died in 1867. John J. was edu-
cated in the public schools and Walworth Academy and has followed farming chiefly,
though he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits both in Michigan and New York
and has also acted as traveling salesman for the Buffalo and Syracuse Fertilizing Co's.;
now the Crockers of Buffalo. He now owns the place known as the Joel Pratt farm,
which comprises 125 acres, in which he has a beautiful residence, and the place is con-
124 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
sidered one of the best in the county. Mr. Morse also owns a fine residence in the
village of Ontario, where the family now reside. He has served as assessor and is a
member of the Wayne County Lodge No. 416, F. & A. M., of the K. 0. T. M., Cyrene
Tent No. 203 and is a charter member of the A. 0. U. W, of Ontario, also a Granger.
February 1, 1871, he married Celia M. Griswold, a native of Afton, Chenango county, and
a daughter of Charles and Lydia (Colburn) G-riswold, natives of Rose, this county, the
father of Charles having been one of the earliest settlers of Rose. Mr. Griswold died
January 12, 1893, and his widow resides in Palmyra. Mr. and Mrs. Morse have had two
children ; Nellie L. wife of F. L. Pollock of Geneva, manager of the Singer Sewing
Machine Co. and Myrta E., who resides at home.
Bills, William, was born in Kent county, England, May 28, 1827, son of Richard and
Mary Bills, natives of England who came to Palmyra in 1832 and thence to Penfield and
finally to Walworth, where Mr. Bills died in 1879 and where Mrs. Bills still resides.
The grandfather was Richard Bills of England, who came to Palmyra in 1833 and died
in Walworth in 1858. His wife was Elizabeth Bills who died in Walworth in 1854.
Father of our subject was a mason by trade, spent his last days as a farmer and owned
a small farm in Walworth. Subject was educated in the common schools of Penfield,
started in life as clerk in West Walworth, carried mail from here to Palmyra by East
Walworth two years, and was there on a farm and also clerking for Mr. S. L. Miller,
his father-in-law. He then purchased a small farm about 1850, followed farming for a
number of years, and was also connected with the mercantile business. In 1892 he
purchased the store, a two story building 24x30 ft, where he has since been in business,
carrying a general stock. Mr. Bills has been constable, collector one term, commis-
sioner of highways eighteen years, which office he still holds. He married in 1849
Caroline A. Miller a native of Walworth, and daughter of S. L., and Charlotte (Chase)
Miller. Subject and wife have had four children : George W., W. J., Charles L. and
and Burtus H., all of whom live in Walworth, W.J. being in the store with his father
and the other engaged in farming. Mr. Bills owns a farm of 140 acres, and follows gen-
eral farming and fruit raising. He was postmaster from November 26, 1875, to April
16, 1887.
Brinkerhoff, Hon. George W., was born in Wolcott, October 23, 1838. Called from
the plow, like Cincinnatus, to serve his country in the halls of legislation, and upon the
field of battle, he achieved renown as a soldier and a statesmen. He went into the field
as a private soldier, of the famous Ninth Heavy Artillery, participating in all of the most
important battles, and by personal bravery gained rapid promotion, soon becoming
captain of his own company. He was also brevetted major for gallant service by Abra-
ham Lincoln. In 1891 he was elected to the Assembly by nearly one thousand ma-
jority and at Albany was largely instrumental in the passage of measures of great im-
portance. One of these was a bill providing for the abolition of county clerk's or sheriff's
fees, the beneficent effects of which are now appreciated by the tax paying people. In
October, 1860, he married Marie Frost of Wolcott, and they have four children, Leslie,
Ernest, Eliza and Delia. In his present retirement to his pleasant home upon a farm of
200 acres he needs not title save that which is his by inheritance, the grand old name of
" gentleman."
Bockoven, W. H., was born in the town of Galen, January 23, 1832. His father,
Samuel, came from New Jersey with his parents, who were among the early settlers in
Wayne county. Samuel learned the blacksmith trade, and moved into the village of
Clyde. W. H. Bockoven was educated in the common schools and in 1868 bought the
VanAmburgh property of 100 acres, and in 1892 the Alfred Griswold property of 100
acres, now raising a large amount of fruit and peppermint. He married Elizabeth Roy,
daughter of Israel Roy, and they have one son, Elmer R. Mrs. Bockoven died in 1890
at the age of fifty-two. Onr subject is prominent in town affairs, and has served as
FAMILY SKETCHES. ^5
commissioner of highways for two terms. W. H. was for thirteen years interested in
blacksmithing and carriage making. Elmer R., son of our subject, is the owner of a
farm of 100 acres willed him by his grandfather, Israel Roy, who died in 1892 and
since coming of age has been interested in the grocery and glass business Samuel
Bockoven carried on the blacksmi thing and carriage making trade at Lock Berlin for a
great many years, moving into Clyde in his old age. He was born in 1800 dyincr in
1876. Elmer R. is also interested in Western real estate. ' °
Frawley, Jacob, was born in Alsace, France, April 1, 1837. He was the second of
two children of Henry and Eve Frawley natives of Alsace, France, where they died
Our subject was only two years of age when his father died, and he was brought up by
an uncle, Jacob Frawley. At the age of seventeen he came to Oneida county and
there lived until 1869 when he came lo Walworth and settled on the farm he owns of
130 acres. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. He married in 1850
Hannah Hartman, a native of Germany, who came to the United States when a child
with her parents, Frederick and Hannah Hartman. He died in Fond du Lac Wis
where his wife resides. Subject and wife had two children : George, who married Lena
Kuttruff in 1882, by whom he has one daughter, Clara ; and Charles, who married Lena
Wagner of New York in 1891.
Van Eenwyk, John, a native of Williamson, was born June 14, 1854, and is the old-
est child of Henry and Maria Van Eenwyk, natives of Holland, and who came to Wil-
liamson in 1850. His wife was the widow of Phillip Brezine, elsewhere mentioned in
this work. Our subject is a farmer and owns fifty-two acres and is a Republican He
and his wife are members of the Reformed Church of East Williamson. In 1876 he
married Cornelia Cuvelier, of Williamson, and they have four children ; Ma°-o-ie M
Frank, Henry and Bertha. bb
Catchpole, Robert, an enterprising man, was born in England in 1823, son of Robert
Catchpole , a farmer, and a grandson of Daniel Catchpole, both natives of England
When fourteen yerrs of age our subject went to sea and sailed five years when he
shipped an American vessel, landed in New York City, thence to Albany on boat via
canal to Montezuma, thence to Geneva, where he spent manv years in farming and
threshing. He came to Huron in 1848 and purchased a farm. He soon engaged in
the manufacture of lumber and was the first one to ship sawed cord wood to Toronto
across the lake. In 1854 he purchased a schooner and shipped freight from Sodus
Bay to Genesee river, and followed this business four years. In 1858 he purchased his
present farm consisting of 140 acres, on which he erected commodious and modern
buildings. He has also built and sold many yachts, and in 1894 erected for his own use
the handsome yacht " Resort Belle." He married ;in 1848 Elizabeth Bond of England
Mr. Catchpole served three ypars as poormaster. Mr. Catchpole has on the stocks two
fine yachts, one to be called " Resort Belle " and to be run on Great Sodus Bay the
other being built to run on the Great Lakes. '
Brundedge, Philip, was born in Oneida, June 20, 1828, the oldest of two children of
Hiram and Parmeha (Louk) Brundedge, natives of Oneida county, the former born in
Weston, October 4, 1803, and the latter Januarv 27, 1808. Thev came to Penfield in
1831. He died in Ontario, Wayne county, N. Y., in 1860, and his wife in 1870
Subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He has always
been a farmer and owns a farm of 110 acres, on which he has resided since 1853. He
married in 1848 Malora Sherman, a native of Ontario, Wavne county, and daughter of
Henry J., and Fanny (Scott) Sherman, he a native of Bedford, Mass., and she of
Covington, Vt., and early settlers of Webster, coming there in 1813 and he was in the
war of 1812. They had seven children, two of whom were killed in the Civil War
William A., and Daniel J., the former killed at Antietam, the latter lost an arm at Bull
Run, and died of his injuries soon after reaching home. Subject and his wife have had
126 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
five children : Calvin S., who married Emma Crandall, and has one son, Edgar L. ; H.
Duane, who married twice, first Annett Ray and they had four children : Winnie M.,
Eva H., Stanley, and Bessie R. ; H. Lafayette, who married Alice Cary, by whom he
had one child, Ada M. ; Carrie M., wife of George Woodhams, by whom she had one
child, Norma C, Mrs. Woodhams died in 1892 ; and Alberton P. The mother of
Malora Brundedge taught the first school in District No. 11 of Ontario.
Ramsdell, Frank G., Macedon Center, was born November 21, 1866. William II.,
his father, was born in January, 1840. The grandfather was Gideon Ramsdell, whose
occupation was farming and contracting, as was also William H., the father. He atone
time was a noted man in this line, owning some very valuable timber land in Savannah,
Wayne county. He married Emma G. Westover, and they had three children: Louisa
M., George, and our subject, Frank G. He is at present situated on the homestead in
Macedon Center. Although quite a young man he is prominent in the line of work,
and looked upon as a first-class farmer, having a large dairy connected with his farm,
makes it a very profitable business. Subject married, January 18, 1893, Sarah Emma
Webster. He it a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the Grange.
Viele, Lucius H., representative of one of the oldest and best known of the leading
families of Butler, was born in a log home, near the site of his present handsome home,
December 26, 1838. His father is Charles J. Viele, a pioneer in the business interests of
Butler and of Wolcott, and now retired from active life. His mother, Angeline, died
JanuaryS, 1889. Lucius Viele received a liberal education at Falley Seminary. Mr.
Viele has large farming interests in Central Butler, which engross most of his attention.
He married, January 8, 1868, Emily L., daughter of Webster Mackin, of Eaton, N.Y.
They have two children : Charles W. and Harriet E., both of whom are graduates of
the Leavenworth Institute at Wolcott, and Charles, of the Rochester Business Uni-
versity, and Harriet, also a graduate of Cazenovia Seminary. In the center of one of
Mr. Viele's cultivated fields, but as sacred as if enclosed, is a grave of antique interest
bearing this inscription : " Sarah Mills. Departed this life December 9, 1809, in the
sixty-fifth year of her age." She was the widow of Captain Mills, of Revolutionary
fame.
Snyder, William Henry, a native of Herkimer county, was born September 24, 1844,
a son of Martin Snyder, whose father was also Martin Snyder, and born in the same
county. His wife was Tina Archer, whose mother lived in Oneida county, for one
hundred and four years. Our subject's father was a farmer, who came to Huron in
1865, with his wife, who was Catherine Peeler. Their children were Reuben, Calvin,
and William H. Our subject came to Huron in 1865, and in 1862 enlisted in Co. K.,
9th Heavy Artillery and participated in all the battles of that regiment. He was
wounded at Cold Harbor in a hand-to-hand conflict in the Confederate lines, returned
to his regiment and participated in the following battles : Ocequan Creek, September
19, 1864, Cedar Creek, October 19th, Fisher's Hill, Petersburg and Richmond and Sail-
or's Creek. Was captured on picket line in front of Petersburg at night and escaped
by crawling under a brush pile. His rank was sergeant and he served three years. His
brother, Calvin, joined the same company, and was wounded in 1864 and died later at
City Point. In 1865 William purchased his farm and has made tobacco his special crop.
In 1867 he married Eliza E., daughter of Philip and Charlotte Thomas of Huron. Their
children are Flora A., widow of Edwin Cleveland of Rose, born in 1870 and Horace O,
1873. Our subject is a member of G. A. R. Keeslar Post, No. 55, and a Democrat, and
has served as inspector several terms.
Seeber, James W., was born in Huron, February 10, 1850, a son of Jacob W., and
Alvira (Chase) Seeber, the other children being: Anna M. ; Mason; Smith, who en-
listed in the 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and died at Martinsbur^ during service of
fever; William, a sailor, who was drowned in Lake Ontario on June 17, 1871 ; and
FAMILY SKETCHES. 127
Frances. Jacob, the father, was a native of Madison county, born in 1808, and was a
son of William Seeber, also of this State. Jacob came to Huron about 1841, and died
here in 1800. His widow now lives with James W., and is in her eightieth year. She
is a daughter of Daniel and Jane Servis Chase, a native of Minden, Mass., who died in
1874. aged ninety-nine years, nine months and fifteen days. After the death of her
husband Mrs. Seeber and her son Smith conducted the farm until 1861, and after the
death of Smith the farm was conducted by her alone until in 1882 our subject purchased
it. He lost his house by fire, but has replaced it with a larger and more commodious
one. The place consists of eighty-six acres. In 1871 he married Mary, daughter of
Martin and Abida McLanglan ot: Huron, who was born in this town March 8, 1851.
They have had three children: M. Dewey, born October 14, 1879, and died June 19,
1894; Willie F., born February 8, 1876; who died aged eighteen months; and J.Clay-
ton, born May 29, 1884. Mr. Seeber is an Odd Fellow and a Eepublican, who cast his
first ballot for U. S. Grant. Mr. and Mrs. Seeber are members of the Huron Grange
No. 124.
Cahoon, William Reynolds, was born in Little Falls, Herkimer county, February 14,
1823, a son of Reynolds Cahoon, born about 1786 in Salisbury, the same county, and
he was a son of Benjamin, a native of Rhode Island, and a ship carpenter by trade, who
died at Middleville. In 1844 Reynolds came to Huron, where he bought the farm now
occupied by William R. He married Bathania Whitoomb, and had six children : Salome
S., Benjamin S., William R.. Lyman, Emily J., and Mary A. He died in 1879, aged
ninety-three years, and his wife in 1874, aged seventy-five. William R. learned the
carpenter's trade, which he followed about forty years, and in 1892 he and his son
bought the homestead farm, of eighty- three acres. In May, 1847, he married Jane
Utter, of Sodus, daughter of John M. Utter. She was born in January, 1824, and their
children are : Charley E. and Clara J., who died aged six years. The former married
Imogene Nichols, and has one child, William, born May 5, 1881. They also live on the
homestead farm. Mr. Cahoon is a Masor, and a Republican, and has served as excise
commissioner in Sodus.
Terbush, Mrs. Sophronia (Tory) was born in Madison county in 1831, daughter of
John and Lany (Adle) Tory. Subject's mother died when she was young and she was
adopted by Jacob and Alvira (Chase) Seeber, and came with them to Huron in 1841.
In 1855 she married George Walker a native of Butler, whose father was John Walker,
by whom she had two children, Edward F., born in 1856, and Clarence, born 1861, who
died when twelve years of age. Mr. Walker enlisted in Co. H, 25th N. Y. Infantry,
and died in Tennessee in 1862. In January, 1877, she married William Terbush a
farmer of Huron, born in Rockland county, who died in 1889 aged eighty-four. Mrs.
Terbush is a member of the Huron Grange, and since her husband's death has conducted
her farm of fifty acres very creditably.
Trowbridge, Noble P. (deceased), was born in Arcadia September 21, 1830, educated
in the common schools and finished at Newark Academy. At the age of twenty-four
he married Mary, daughter of Gideon Robinson of Lyons. In 1870 he gave up his farm
and bought a residence in Newark. He was one of the substantial men of his town,
identified in advancing the best interests, his aid was freely given to all worthy enter-
prises. At his death February 22, 1883, at fifty- three years of age, his loss was felt
among a large circle of friends and relatives. Alfred Dunn (deceased), was born in
Narrowsburg, Pa., November 4, 1836, with his parents, James Dunn and wife and pur-
chased the Dorsey property south of Lyons. Alfred was educated at the Lyons Union
School, and at the age of twenty-seven married Elizabeth, daughter of Gideon Robin-
son of Lyons. Our subject was one of the prominent farmers and builders in his town,
erecting a number of private residences. He was a large producer of tobacco and pep-
permint, and after erecting a still, produced essential oils. He took an intelligent in-
terest in educational and religious matters, being a member of the M. E. Church of Ly-
128 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
ons. He died in July, 1886, in his fifty-fourth year, leaving a wife and large circle of
friends to mourn him.
Wilson, Eoyal P., was born in Williamson, N. Y., June 19, 1853. He is the only
grandchild of Ralph and Rebecca Sheffield Wilson, natives of Middlesex, Conn., who
came to Williamson about 1810 and settled near Pultneyville and there lived and died.
Mr. Wilson was a farmer by occupation and died in 1886 and his wife in 1873. Our
subject learned the miller's trade and followed it for ten years at Pultneyville, and pre-
vious to this was a sailor on the lakes. He engaged in farming near Pultneyville,
which he sold in 1889 and purchased the farm he now owns of 125 acres, on which he
follows general farming and fruit growing. Mr. Wilson is a Democrat. June 20, 1878,
he married Nettie, daughter of Jacob De May of Holland, who came to Williamson in
1871. Her father died in Holland in 1868 and her mother in Williamson in 1871. Mr.
and Mrs. Wilson have seven children : Royal F., who died at the age of five, Leland A.,
Claude R , Roy A., Ella M., Stanley who died in infancy, and Ruth.
Hurlburt, John, of Macedon, was born the town of Ontario, February 23, 1835. His
father was Charles Hurlburt, born May 29, 1807, who died January 26, 1884. aged
seventy-six years. January 29, 1834, be married Margaret Gregory. Of this mar-
riage our subject was the eldest son. The others were: Lyman, born March 30, 1836,
died April 30, 1892, aged fifty-seven ; Charles, born November 17, 1837, died October
16, 1874, aged thirty-seven years; he left a widow who resides in Manchester; Theron,
born January 38, 1846, died September 25, 1883, aged thirty-seven years. Charles
Hurlburt, the father, came to this town in 1862, where he died. In politics our sub-
ject is a Democrat.
Wood, Mason Garton, born in Lyons August 7, 1849, was a son of Richard and
Rebecca (Garton) Wood, natives of England. Richard was a farmer, came to America
in 1843, and settled in Wayne county. Their children were: Louise, Percilla, and
Ann, who were born in England; Sophia, William W., Mason G., Phoebe, and James
R. Mr. Wood has followed the vocation of farming throughout, and came to Huron,
Wayne county, in 1879. In 187S he married Eliza Blanchard, born in 1851 and
daughter of Benjamin Blanchard, who came to Huron about 1834 with his parents,
Elijah and Roxina (Mitchell) Blanchard. Elijah was prominent in the early days, and
was foreman many years on the large farm owned by the Shaker Colony in Huron. He
raised two children : Benjamin (deceased) and Anna E. He was an active business
man, for many years engaged in buying and shipping wood to Toronto. He died in
April, 1890, aged seventy-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have one child, Benjamin
Blanchard, born in March, 1888. Mr. Wood has acted as agent for the Lummis and
Purdy estates for several years and is at present their confidential agent.
Thatcher, Cyrus, was bom in Ontario June 12, 1812, the third of thirteen children of
Peter antl Phoebe Thatcher, he a native of Rhode Island, born July 13, 1783, and she a
native of New York, born November 24, 1785. They came to Ontario in 1810, and
here Mr. Thatcher died February 1, 1847, and his wife April 30. 1866. Cyrus married,
in 1837, Mercy Gage, born in 1815, and daughter of John and Abigail (Harrington)
Gage, he a native of Chesterfield, N. H., born May 17, 1789, and she a native of Rhode
Island, born August 4, 1786. After living in Walworth two years they came to On-
tario in 1819. Mr. Gage died October 12, 1869, and his wife December 14, 1863. Mr.
Thatcher and wife have had five children : E. Sophronia, James H., Riley L., died in
the late war in 1865; E. Lurissa, and Frank, who died in 1884. Mr. Thatcher was
originally a Democrat, but a Republican after the organization of the party. Mrs.
Thatcher is a member of the Second Advents. Mr. Thatcher was captain of State
militia, and his father was captain in the war of 1812. Mr. Gage was also in the war
of 1812. E. Lurissa married Albert W. Hathaway a native of Macedon, born July 17,
1841, by whom he had seven children. Mr. Hathaway was a son of Abram Hathaway,
FAMILY SKETCHES. t3g
a native of Cattaraugus county. His wife was Deborah Barnura, a relative of P T
Barnura. They came to Macedon at an early date, where he died in 1842, and his wife
resides in Dunkirk, N.Y. Frank died in 1884. E. Lurissa is living.
T.SiT n' J8Ii«V,b0r^n ?0liand April 4' 1859> is the youngest of nine children of
James born in 1814 and Sarah (Cappon) Goossen, born in 1817, natives of Holland who
came to Rochester in August, 1862. He afterward came to Marion and engaged^n
farming on fifty acres, winch he sold after three years and rented a 350 acre farm on
£ J!,re7injd th!'ee ^ears- ?e went t0 Kalamazoo, Mich., and purchased a farm
which he traded for city property there, later went to Oshtemo and engaged in farming
and then traded for the farm he settled in Marion when he came from Holland which
he now owns. He now lives retired, aged eighty, and his wife aged seventy-seven! Sub-
ject was educated m the common schools of Marion and Kalamazoo. He started selling
fl° ^ Z™*?*' firSt°n f°0t ^ afterward with a wagon; and in 1879 commenced in
q ! «ql Sg f p°W 0wns'/"d ,carries the largest stock in Marion. He married, May
°'/B Sarah Goossen of Kalamazoo, a native of Marion and daughter of Abraham
and Catharine (Farmeau) Goossen, natives of Holland.
Warner, Erotus, born in Madison county September-12, 1850, oldest of five children
of R. K., and Ramoma (Vai Warner. He was reared on the farm and educated in
TrS^W J ,andKhaS always followed farming and evaporating fruit. He married in 1872
Ellen Wake, born in 18o3 and daughter of John and Marietta rRice) Wake. Mrs.
Wake died in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Warner have two sons and one^ daughter: Melville
E Oscar Czar and Florence May. Mr. Warner now has 105 acres, and makes a specialty
W oUf mE^ g* ^ ^ member of the Grange and of *he A O. U.
Tv^A^^ Ma^ 27' 1M8> a son of James and
Si^fl Tt TwS thel0Tm^ a Dative 0f 0neida county born January 31,
1815, and the latter of Walworth. The parents of James were James and Gertrude
Peacock who m 1816 came to Wayne county. The great-grandparents of our subiec!
were Jonathan and Ann Peacock, of England, who came to this country A J Pea-
cock was educated in Walworth Academy. He owns a farm of 114 acres of land with
as fine buildings as can be found in the locality. In 1873 he married Mercy M
daughter of Joseph Gould, who was a son of Daniel mentioned in this work. Joseph
was born in this town March 12, 1819, and has been one of the leading farmers of the
S'^f he now resides on Long Island. He married Julia T. Bancroft, born in
1823 by whom he had five children. She died March 17, 1876. Mr. and Mrs Pea-
cock have had one son, Ora S., who resides at home.
anSvGrP^°wm^ari°n ?ae IV816'" the third of seven children of Garner
r!lW ^ ISi ' i \ n1tlVe °f Massachusetts and she of Rhode Island. They
came to Marion in 1811, lived there until 1836, and then moved on the farm now
owned by subject, where Mr. Wait died April 5,' 1858, and his wife January 6 1874
He was assessor and commissioner of highways in Marion. He was in the war of
1812. Subject was educated ra the common schools, owns the old homestead of ninety-
nine acres, and follows general farming. He has been trustee of schools of Walworth
yZ 1%TS- "T16/ ? 1843 (°Ct0ber 18) EmiJy J- Sweezey of Palmyra/daughter
of Isaac Sweezey who died when she was an infant. Mr. Wait and wife had two
children, Winfield S who is a traveling salesman for the Anti-Rust Tin Works of
leZ*MoK /S W1/nS ^?hnda Pulver' ^ Wh0m he has °ne child, Elnora, wife of
Irvm McKinley of Onondaga county; and Minnie E, wife of Alex F. Estey of Wal-
worth, by whom she has two children Glenn W., and Floyd J. He is a traveling sales-
130 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Payne. George, a native of England, born July 20, 1840, is the youngest of six
children of John and Sophia Payne. My mother's maiden name being Reader, natives of
England, and there they died. Subject was reared in the town of Sheerness, county
of Kent, England. In the year of 1866 he came to this county. While in England he
worked eleven years in London at iron ship building, he worked on the Great Eastern
after the laying of the Atlantic cable, also on the Rapanhance, when being fitted for
the Confederate service. After crossing to America he worked in New York in a
boiler shop on Cherry street. He soon came to town of Macedon and engaged in farm -
ing and there became interested in concrecting wood for the railroad company with
George Glover and after four years in the wood business came to Walworth, pur-
chased a small farm of fifty-seven acres, where he now lives ; he has added 103 acres to
it known as Philites Miller farm. He has been highway commissioner and super-
visor of the town. Mr. Payne married August 4, 1860, Charlotte Copping of Eng-
land, by whom he has ten children, John, Lottie, Annie R., Flora, who were born in
England, and George J., Willie W., Walter J., John W., Nellie E., Guy, were born in
this country. Six are now living.
Johnson, Samuel J., was born in Waterloo, Seneca county, November 7, 1853, son
of George and Margaret Scott, natives of Ireland, he born December 25, 1811, and
she born in 1821. He came to the United States in 1836, and his wife soon after. He
was a gardener, a resident of Waterloo fifty-seven years, and died December 24, 1893,
and his wife February 10, 1886. They were members of the Presbyterian Church.
Subject was reared in Waterloo, N. Y. , and educated in the common scl ools. He
started in life working for Sidney Warner taking care of a carriage horse, learned the
tinner's trade of Julius Smith of Waterloo, and in June, 1878, came to West Walworth
and has since had a successful business. He owns a building 24x50 ft. which he oc-
cupies.
Brandt, George, a native of Walworth, born January 27, 1832, is a son of Joshua and
Susan Brandt. He was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and has al-
ways followed farming. He now owns two farms consisting of 140 acres. Mr.
Brandt married in 1855 Louisa L. Aldrich, a native of Henrietta, N. Y., born July 7,
1836, a daughter of Nathan and Oliva (Perry) Aldrich, who spent most of their life in
Wayne county. The father of Nathan Aldrich was Brice, a native of Massachusetts
and one of the early settlers of Farmington, Ontario county. The father of Oliva was
Elnathan Perrv. a native of Massachusetts, who was seven years in the Revolutinary
war, being captain part of the time. He fought at Bennington, Saratoga, Monmouth,
Ontario, and was present at the surrender of Cornwallus. He served three years under
Lafayette, came to Rush, Monroe county in 1806, and was one of the first to enlist in
the war of 1812. He died July 5, 1849, aged ninety-one years. Mr. Brandt and
wife have three children, Emma J., wife of Gardner L. Tiffany of Walworth, and they
have two children Fred E. and Hattie L.; Nathan G., who married M. Albertie Allen,
of Penfield, and has two children George A. and Calla B. He is postmaster at Lin-
coln; and Hattie, who died aged twelve. Our subject represented Lyon & Fisk,
nurserymen in Rochester, and also traveled in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Michigan.
Bixby, John H., is a son of Nathan Bixby, who was born in the town of Green-
field, Saratoga county, in 1808 and came to Wayne county in 1836. He bought a farm
of 100 acres, a mile and a half northeast of Savannah, the birthplace and present home
of our subject. Nathan was twice married, the first time to Mary, the daughter of J.
J. Klock of Montgomery county, December 19, 1832, and there were born to them
seven children, -namely : Sally A., Caroline, Andrew, Jerome, Alphonso, Joshua K.,
John H. Mary died August 6, 1850. His second wife was Mary Deuel of Saratoga
county. He was a patriotic citizen, and in politics a strong Republican. The three
oldest sons, Andrew, Jerome and Alphonso, enlisted and served their time in the Union
army. Andrew was taken prisoner at the battle of Monocacy, and died in the rebel
FAMILY SKETCHES. 131
prison at Danville, Va. There are only two surviving members of the family, Jerome
of Castalia, Ohio, who is a general merchant and farmer, and John K., the subject of
the present sketch. John H. was born June 3, 1848, and married May 2, 1877, to
Mattie M., daughter of Abijah Spoor of Savannah. They have two children, namely :
J. Howard, born May 12, 1879, and George Raymond, born July 4, 1886. Mr. Bixby
is a prosperous farmer making a specialty of shipping dairy produce to Rochester. For
six years he has been a justice of the peace, and elected again to that office last spring
for a term of four years more.
Boynton, Lorenzo R., born in Walworth, May 12, 1815, was a son of George and
Annie (Twitchel) Boynton, he a native of Massachusetts, and she of Wayne county.
George came to Walworth at eighteen years of age, and there spent the remainder of
his life, dying at the age of sixty. His parents were Mary and Samuel (Robinson)
Boynton. Mary Robinson lived with Robert Treat Payne, one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence, and spent her last days with her son, George. The family
are of English descent. George Boynton was a pioneer of Walworth and followed
farming. He had four sons and six daughters, of whom one son and four daughters
still survive. His wife died in 1834, and in 1835 he married, second, Sarah Hibner of
Penfield, who died in 1857. He was a Republican, and was justice many years. He
died in 1854. L. R. Boynton was a well informed man and before his death was pos-
sessed of 230 acres, on which he made many improvements and built a fine brick resi-
dence. He was twice married, first to Mary Hopkins, by whom he had one son and
one daughter, Frank H., an oculist in New York, and Mary, widow of Oliver
H. Palmer. Mrs. Boynton died October 7, 1854, and Mr. Boynton married second,
April 5, 1855, Harriet, daughter of Ransom and Eunice Northrup of Webster. Mr.
Northrup was a farmer by occupation. He died January 14, 1875, aged sixty-eight
years, and his widow lives with her children. Mr. and Mrs. Boynton have had four
sons : Charles H., graduate of Brockport and Rochester Colleges, three years in New
York Seminary, and is rector and pastor of the Episcopal Church of Geneseo, N. Y. ;
George E., graduate of Brockport, two years in Rochester College, and is attending
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore ; Willis, graduate of Brockport and New York
Medical College, is practicing in New York ; L. R., graduate of Brockport and at the
death of his father came home, and has since had charge of the farm. The sons have all
been engaged in teaching, Mr. Boynton died August 16, 1890, was killed by a train at
Webster. Mrs. Boynton still resides on the farm. Mr. Boynton was a Republican and
served twelve years as magistrate.
Allyn, John L., of Macedon, was born in this town January 13, 1846, a son of Rus-
sell Allyn, who was a native of Connecticut, and came to New York State in an early
day. He was a carpenter by trade and took up farming later. He was at one time the
owner of the Macedon Mills. He was the father of seven children by his
first wife. His second wife was a Miss Servoss by whom he had five children.
He died in 1876 at the age of sixty-nine years, and the mother of our subject
died in 1876. Our subject, John L., came from the old pioneer family of Laphams,
so widely known in this section, has been a farmer all his life, and connected
with his farm is a small dairy from which he ships quite a quantity of milk. He mar-
ried Elizabeth Lapham by whom he had four children, of whom Nettie died September
17, 1892, aged twenty-three. His wife died and he married, second, Florence, daughter
of DeWitt C. Beal, one of the oldest families of this section.
Hogan, Sarah A., was before marriage Sarah McWithy, daughter of the late Timothy
Mc Withy, of Savannah. She is the widow of Augustus Horton Hogan, a well-known
resident of Savannah, to whom she was married October 2, 1850, and who left but one
child ; Eva J., born October 29, 1855. In 1877 Eva married F. E. Davis, then engaged in
mercantile business at Conquest, Cayuga county. He removed to South Butler in 1880,
erected a new and moderate building, and conducting a general store business. The
L32 LANDMARKS OP WAYNE COUNTY.
children of Frank and Eva Davis are : Charles, born 1878, and Raymond, born 1 880.
Augustus Horton was a staunch Republican, and an active worker for his party.
Eddy, Charles W., was born at Manchester, Vt., September 9, 1827, the son of
Stephen Eddy, who settled near Buskirk's Bridge, Rensselaer county, N. Y., in 1829,
and who reared a family of nine children. Of that family but three now survive, and
our subject is the oniy one in Wayne county. Charles bought a farm here in 1864, came
here in 1864, and by his industry and business ability has achieved an unusual degree of
success in his chosen calling, now operating nearly 275 acres. He has been honored
with many positions of trust, has served as commissioner of highways, and of excise,
and was for nine years an assessor. In 1868 he married Asenath Sprague, of Butler,
and they have four children: Sarah, Jennie, Mary, and Sprague.
Spurr, John, was born in England July 23, 1835, emigrating to America in 1836 with
his parents, Edward and Eliza Spurr, who settled at Burlington, Yt. During his boy-
hood, his father was engaged in business at Chittenango, as overseer in a woolen mill
and at Canaseraga, where he conducted a grocery. Edward and Eliza now live at
Yictory, Cayusra county, aged eighty-six and eighty-two years respectively. John
Spurr came to Wolcott in 1866, and has for twenty-eight jears been engaged in farm-
ing. He has four sons : Edward H., Macy, Clayton and Harrison. Edward, a
machinist is married and lives at Kalamazoo, Mich. During the war, our subject was a
soldier of Co. F, 160th N. Y. Vols., suffering imprisonment and sickness. He was dur-
ing the latter part of the war a wardmaster in the hospital at New Orleans, having
developed a valuable capacity as a nurse. Our subject is a member of the M. P. Church
of Y/ olcott, holding the office of steward and trustee.
Worthy, Henry, son of William and Rachel Worthy, of Williamstown, Mass., was
born at that place, September 19, 1825. William Worthy was a prominent farmer,
operating 300 acres of land. Henry and Elisha, of Williamstown, are the sole survivors
of a family of twelve children. Henry has been for twenty-one years a suburban resi-
dent of Wolcott, where he purchased a farm in 1873. His early life was spent as a
builder, erecting factories and mills at North Adams, Mass., where he remained fourteen
years. November 25, 1852 he married Hannah Larrabee, of Adams, Mass., and they
have five children : Abbott, Arthur, Charles, Leila, and Nellie. Leila is now Mrs.
George H. Green, of Port Byron, N. Y., and Nellie is Mrs. C. G. Walker, of Lyons,
N. Y.
Hendee, Alpheus (deceased), was born September 19, 1809, at Cazenovia, N. Y.,
came to Lyons in 1832, and engaged in the livery stable business. At the age of thirty
he married Rosetta, daughter of James Dunn, and they are the parents of four daughters :
Addie (Mrs. Kate Goodman) ; Mrs. Hittie Barton, and Eliza Hendee. In 1859 he
bought the George Gee property of fifty acres, in 1866 bought part of the Elisha Barton
property of thirty-three acres, and which is now carried on by the heirs in connection
with his son-in-law, Israel Goodman, who was a native of Bedfordshire, England, who
married Kate Hendee in 1878, and who are the parents of one daughter, Rosa, having
115 acres of some of the best farm lands in Wayne county, raising large amounts of
mint, hay, grain and stock, making a specialty of small fruits. Alpheus Hendee died in
1893. at the age of eighty-four years, respected and regretted by all with whom he
came in contact. He was always foremost in the furtherance of all good works.
Viele, Charles J., was born January 2, 1812, at Saratoga, came with his people to the
town of Wolcott when six years of age. His parents were pioneer farmers here, and
he has always followed the same vocation, besides dealing largely in Jive stock. He
married in 1834, Angeline Hibbard of Butler, who died January 8, 1889. Of their
three children one now survives, Lucius H., who married Emily Mackin, and now re-
sides on the homestead farm. Sarah E., who become the wife of H. A. Graves of
FAMILY SKETCHES. 133
Wolcott, died in 1870, and Columbus J., the youngest son, died in 1874. The latter
was a young man of much intellectual promise, and a practicing lawyer at the time of
his decease. He left a wife and one daughter. At the ripe age of eighty-two our
subject is still hale and vigorous; a genial gentleman, full of reminiscences of early
days.
Scott, Irving, son of Lewis and Evelyn (Brooks) Scott, was born at Cato, Cayuga
county, June 25, 1841. Lewis Scott died in 1887 at the age of seventy-seven, and his
wife in 1894, aged eighty-seven years. Irving has been a resident of Wolcott fifty
years, and has spent most of that period at home. He was a soldier of Gompany G-, in
the 9th Heavy Artillery. His wife was Fanny Scott, of Clay, Onondaga county,
daughter of William and Ellen Scott, whom he married November 25, 1886. They
have one child, Ella, wife of George L. Baker of Oswego. Mr. Scott and wife are
members of the M. E. church.
Westcott, Horace T., was born in Oneida county November 22, 1838. His father, J. H.
Westcott, was a farmer of Oneida county. Horace T. was educated in the common
schools, to which he has added through life by reading and close observation. At the
age of twenty-five he married Algenia daughter of Frederick Petrie of Vienna, Oneida
county, and they are the parents of three children : Edgar T., Arthur H., and Nora E.
In 1872 he came to Lyons and purchased the grocery on lot No. 56, which he has con-
tinued for the past twenty-three years. In 1883 he bought the Prime property of
seventy-eight acres, raising hay, grain and stock. Subject is a member of the M. E.
Church.
Killick, Henry, was born in Huntington, county of Kent, England, March 22, 1845.
His father, Henry, came to the United States in 1854, settled in Lockport, N. T., and
was a miller by trade, which was the business pursued by the family in England for the
past 200 years. Henry Killick married at the age of thirty-two Mary Alice, daughter
of Clark J. Munger, and they are the parents four sons: Harry O, Frank R., Wilfred
M. and Charlie E. In May,' 1885, he bought the Alloway Roller Flour Mills, making a
specialty of patent and fine pastry flour. Our subject is one of the prominent business
men in his town, taking an active interest in educational and religious matters.
Hammond, Burton, was born at Dover Plains October 18, 1856, was educated in the
common schools and finished at Willeston Seminary, East Hampton, Mass., after leaving
which he engaged in the mercantile business as clerk for three years, then read law with
G. & H. D. Hufcut, at Dover Plains, then read with Hon. D. W. Gurnsey, of Pough-
keepsie, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1878. At the age of twenty-two he mar-
ried Sophia A., daughter of William Van Marter, of Lyons, and they have five daughters.
In March, 1880, he came to Lyons and engaged in the practice of law, in 1886 entered
the surrogate's office and carries on a general law practice, making a specialty of cases
before surrogate's court. He is a Republican in politics, was chairman of the Republican
County Committee for seven years, and is now president of the Board of Education of
Lyons. Our subject is identified in advancing the best interests of his town, taking a
deep interest in educational and leading matters of the day.
O'Dell, Margaret, was born in the town of Rose. Her father, Russell Winchell, came
to that town in 1821 when it was but a wilderness without roads, making their way by
marked trees. He married Lucinda, daughter of David Ackerman, by whom he had
four children: Margaret, David A., Clarissa, and Betsey. He died in 1858 aged forty-
seven, and his wife in 1879 aged sixty-four years. Margaret, our subject, married
Alexander Harper, and in 1855 came to" the town of Galen to reside. They had three
children: Lydia S., Bud A., and Lucinda, Lydia S. Kelsey being the only one now
living. Alexander Harper died in 1871, and Mrs. Harper married in 1884 Ebenezer
O'Dell, who died in 1889. Our subject has one of the model farms of Wayne county,
134 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
raising fruit, hay, grain and stock, and through life has been a member and liberal sup-
porter of the M. E. church of Clyde.
Syron, M. Barton, was born in Romulus, Seneca county, June 10, 1826. His father,
Jacob P. Syron, was a native of New Jersey, and came to Seneca county in 1823. In
1837 he moved to the town of Galen, Wayne county, where he died in 1853 at the age
of sixty- one. M. Barton Syron laid the foundation of his education in the old log school
house of his district and also attended the high school at Clyde for two winters. At the
age of twenty-three he married Lucinda, daughter of Ethan Angell, and they have
three sons and one daughter: Augustus C, William A., Fenton, and Mrs. Emma Foist.
In 1852 he bought the Waldraff property of fifty-three acres, and in 1863 he bought the
Peleg Meade property of 100 acres, having in all 140 acres, and raising fruit, hay, grain
and stock. Our subject is one of the representative farmers of his town, and takes an
intelligent interest in town affairs.
Luffman, William, was born in Elbridge December 4, 1823. His father. Abram, was
a native of Massachusetts. He came to Wayne county in 1827, settled in the town of
Wolcott, where he died in 1882 aged eighty-four. William Luffman was educated in
the common schools, and at the age of twenty-seven married Amelia, daughter of John
W. Hendrick, a native of Vermont, who came to Wayne county in 1814 and was among
the earliest settlers in Wolcott. Mr. and Mrs. Luffman have had eight children, seven
of whom are now living: Mrs. Arvilla Andrus, Mrs. Nellie Sanford, Mrs. William
Stetler, Frank E., and Mrs. Cornelius Stell, Edwin and Mrs. Carrie Roberts. In 1869
they came to the town of Galen and bought the David Ferguson property of 100 acres
raising fruit, hay, grain and stock. Our subject is one of the representative farmers of
his town, taking an active interest in educational and religious matters.
Ely, Charles H., was born in Williamstown, Mass., June 1, 1837. His father, Henry
L. was born in town of Lyme, of New London county, Conn. The family originally
came from England. Henry L. came to Clyde in 1870, and is a carriage maker by trade.
Charles H. was educated at Williamstown and finished at the Wilbraham Seminary in
Massachusetts ; then learned the carriage maker's trade with his father, came to Clyde
in 1872 and entered the employ of his father, and in 1882 established himself in busi-
ness and is a well-known manufacturer of fine carriages and sleighs. At the age of
twenty-five he married Abbie M., daughter of J. P. Bliss, and they have had five chil-
dren, three of whom are now living: Charles H., jr., Grace G., and Alice B. Our sub-
ject is prominently identified in educational and religious matters.
Howard, Frank, was born in Galen July 10, 1857. His father, William, came to
Wayne county from Lowville, Lewis county in 1836. He married Eliza A., daughter
of Allen Kennedy, of Dover Station, Dutchess county, N. Y. They have had
five children, two of whom are now living: Mrs. Ella Hoard and Frank. He died
in 1891, aged ninety-three. Frank Howard was educated in the common schools, to
which he has added through life by reading and close observation. At the age of
twenty-three he married Carrie B., daughter of William B. Sears, and they have four
children : William S., Stella N., May and Howard. In 1891 he took charge of his
father's estate of 200 acres, raising fruit, hay, grain, and stock, and making a specialty
of dairying, producing from 225 to 250 quarts of milk per day. Our subject takes an
active interest in school and church matters.
Porter, Ellory J., was born in Junius, Seneca county, January 2, 1848. His father,
George W., was a native of that town, the family coming from the Mohawk Valley.
Ellory J. was educated in the common schools to which he has added through life by
reading and close observation ; after which he returned to his father's farm. At the
age of twenty.two he married Buelah, daughter of Isaac Thorn, and they have four
children: George S., Lottie M., Mabel and Maud. In 1870 he came to Wayne county
FAMILY SKETCHES. 135
and settled in the town of Huron, and in 1875 removed to the town of Galen and pur-
chased the Furlong property of 108 acres, raising fruit, hay, grain and stock. Our sub-
ject is one of the representative farmers of his town, identified in educational and
religious matters.
Graham, Albert G., was born in the town of Huron, near the head of Great Sodus
Bay, August 30, 1831. His father, Henry, and mother, Roxana. were natives of Port
Byron. The family were among the early settlers in the Mohawk Valley. His educa-
tion was obtained in the common schools, to which he has added through life by reading
and close observation. At the age of twenty-four he married Eliza L., daughter of
Solomon Smith, who died in 1866, and he married second in 1867 Theresa, daughter of
David Waldur. He has two children, both by his first wife: Charles H., and Emma J.,
wife of Edward C. Delano, of Sodus Centre, N. Y. In 1864 he bought the A. F. Red-
field property of 100 acres; in 1876, the Grimsha property of eighty acres; in 1882, the
Edwin Gilderleve property of 102 acres, and now has 265 acres of some of the best
land in Wayne county, raising fruit, hay, grain and stock, and making a specialty of
milk, producing 450 quarts per day. Our subject is one of the most extensive farmers
in his town.
Cosad, Frank, was born in Junius, Seneca county October 6, 1853, son of James
Madison Cosad, a native of New Jersey, born in 1810. The grandfather was Samuel
Cosad, who came with his family to Seneca county in 1820. James M. came to Huron
in 1838, and conducted a hotel at Port Glascow. He went to California in 1848, five
years later returned to Huron and settled where our subject now resides. Later he
owned the farm now owned by William Robinson, where he died in 1893. His first
wife was Elizabeth Stout of Wayne county, by whom he had two children : Cassie
Robinson, of Huron, and George Combe. His second wife was Catherine Stout, born
in Arcadia in 1818, by whom he had two children : Farnk and Samuel. Subject has
devoted his time to farming, was educated in the Wolcott and Sodus Academies, and in
1876 came to the farm he now owns, consisting of 200 acres on which he has erected a
large and handsome dwelling; also a large and commodious barn suitable to such a farm.
He married in 1875 Mariam, daughter of Hiram Woodruff, of Huron, and their children
are Willis, born November, 1876, and James M., born in March, 1879. Mr. Cosad is a
member of the Order of Odd Fellows of Wolcott, and has served as assessor three
years.
Turner, Albert, was born in Ontario July 4, 1860. He is the youngest of seven chil-
dren of Thomas and Sarsh J.(Osborn) Turner, natives of England and came to Ontario
in 1852. Mrs. Turner died June 17, 1891, and the father resides with his son, Orrin.
Our subject was reared on the farm he owns, and was educated in the common schools.
He has a place of twenty-fonr acres, and follows gardening and fruit raising. He is a
Republican, and he and wife are members of the Free Methodist Church. He married
in 1884 Delle, daughter of John Pye, of Rochester. Mr. Turner and wife have two
daughters, Mabel and Bertha.
Berzine Family, The. — Philip Bruyzine, (the name was afterward changed to Ber-
zine), was a Frenchman, he emigrated to Holland, where he married a Holland lady, to
them was born one son. Philip, whose parents died when he was but eight years old.
He married at the age of twenty, and had three children, Philip, Susan and Mary. In
1848 they emigrated to America, where his son Philip married Mary DeCan. After be-
ing here about three years he and Henry Van Eenyck bought a farm of sixty acres in
the northwestern part of the town of Williamson. This farm was all heavy timber,
except a few acres next to the road, but by hard labor they soon cleared more of the
land. There was a log house on the place and here they enjoyed life for a time, father
and son being loved by all the neighbors. The son could adapt himself to any and all
kinds of work, and was an American from the time he landed on these shores until he
136 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY^
died ; he took great pride in learning the English language, and winter evenings he
spent with his American neighbors, and attending all religious and public meetings for
the purpose of being able to write and read the English language. As he was known
by all his neighbors for his ingenious qualities, he was once called upon by one of them
to superintend a bee to raise a log barn ; in some way the men let go of a log which
fell on him ; after suffering one day and night he died at the age of thirty years, four
months and twenty days, leaving a wife, and aged mother and three small children too
young to realize their loss. All that knew him felt that they had lost a friend and kind
neighbor. April 4, 1860, the father died at the age of sixty-three years. The three
children born to Philip and Mary De Can Berzine were Lucinda, James C. and Philip.
James C. learned the carpenter's trade and followed it sixteen years. After the death
of his father he went to farming which occupation he followed for seven years, and
then on April 1, 1883, he came to the village of Williamson and started in the furniture
and undertaking business which he has since continued successfully. He is a member
of the Presbyterian Church, Order of A. 0. U. W., Knights of L. F. 0. December 24,
1873, Mr. Berzine married Jennie Van Cunningham ; four children were born to them,
Fannie May, who died May 17, 1877, at the age of nineteen months, eleven days ; Minnie,
Lois, Lucile M. and Mabel Gertrude.
Barton, William, was born in the old log house on the Elisha Barton estate, February
27, 1838. His father, Elisha, came to Wayne county in 1828 from Putnam county,
and settled on lot 22, which is now the residence of William Barton. William was
educated in the common school*, to which he has added through life by reading and
close observation. At the age of twenty-three he married Emma Louise, daughter of
Elias B. Reynolds, and they are the parents of one son, Albert Elias. In 1880 he pur-
chased the homestead property of 240 acres, raising large quantities of mint, grain and
stock. Our subject is one of the leading farmers in his town, and was one of the three
commissioners appointed to adjudicate and settle the payment of the bonds issued for
Sodus Bay & Corning R. R., taking an active interest also in educational and religious
matters.
Weed, Abram, was born in the town of Galen December 2, 1830. His father,
Henry, was a native of Norwich, Conn. The family were of French extraction. Abram
received his education in the common schools, after which he taught several winters and
worked on the farm in the summer. At the age of twenty-seven he married Emily,
daughter of Peter Shear, of Junius, and they have three children : Wallace N., Harry
M., and Mrs. Dora E. Baker. In 1862 he inherited and purchased the homestead of
100 acres, which has been in the family seventy years. In 18S4 he bought the Thomas
Lape property of ninety-five acres, raising fruit, hay, grain and stock. Our subject is
one of the leading farmers in his town, was elected assessor three terms and road com-
missioner three terms.
Hinman, J. W., was born in the town of Phelps, Ontario county, October 23, 1844.
His father, Willis Hinman, is a native of Hartford, Conn., born in 1806, and came to
Ontario county in 1840. Here he followed his trade of carpenter and builder for some
years and then became a farmer, and is still an active business man. J. W. Hinman
was educated in the Newark High School and Academy and afterward in the Eastman
Business College, graduating from the latter in 1865. He came to Clyde in 1867 and
entered the employ of Briggs & Palmer, bankers, as book-keeper. He was afterward
promoted to assistant cashier, and at the organization of the Briggs National Bank in
1880, was appointed cashier, which position he now holds. At the age of thirty Mr.
Hinman married Miss Ida E. Field, daughter of Ambrose Field, of Clyde, and they are
the parents of three sons, Willis A., Arthur F., and Harold C. Mr. Hinman is interested
in the advancement of his town, and is recognized as a man of sterling integrity and
moral worth.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 137
The subject of the following sketch, Cyrus E. Fitch, was born in the town of Butler,
Wayne county, N. Y. December 4, 1844, on the farm where his grandfather, Ebenezer
Fitch, first, settled on his arrival from Saratoga, N. Y. His ancestors were of German
descent, and are traced directly back to that hardy colony of pioneers who came over
from the Fatherland in the "Half Moon" with Hendrick Hudson and settled along the
banks of that beautiful river which bears his name. His grandfather, Ebenezer Fitch,
emigrated from Saratoga county with his wife at an early day and settled in the town
of Butler, where he was elected to the office of justice of the peace for eight consecu-
tive years and took an active part in arranging the boundaries and shaping the destinies
of what is now one of the most prosperous townships in the county of Wayne. His
ancestors on his mother's side were also of German descent and first settled in Jefferson
county, this State. In the year 1852 he, with his father, moved on the farm where he
has since resided. He was graduated from Wolcott Academy in 1860, taught school
until the autumn of 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery,
and served until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Cold Harbor, Mono-
cacy, Winchester, Cedar Creek, Fisher's Hill and Petersburg. After his discharge from
the army he was married in the year of 1865 to Elenor J. Pearsoll, a lady of the most
estimable character, whose people lived in Wolcott, N. Y. Their union proved a most
happy one and has been blessed with an interesting family of children, three sons and
one daughter, who have been given the best educational advantages that the State af-
forded, the latter, Miss Minnie, being an accomplished musician and a graduate from
the Normal College at Albany, N. Y. Mr, Fitch has been a prominent member of the
First M. E. Church of Wolcott, N. Y., since 1865 and for a long time a member of the
official board of that church. He was superintendent of the Sabbath school for two
years, and since retiring from that position he has conducted the largest Bible Class
ever known in the church at any time. Mr. Fitch has always taken an active interest
in educational work, having served as a member of the board of education of Leaven-
worth Institute for thirteen years, from which position he resigned in the spring of
1894, upon being elected to the office of supervisor of his town. He is a Republican in
politics, his majority as supervisor being 196, the largest majority ever given to any
candidate for supervisor in the town of Butler. He has made an excellent record as
supervisor and is a clean, honest and conscientious official. For the past twelve years
Mr. Fitch has given a great deal of attention to the preparation and handling of evapor-
ated fruit ; and his large system of evaporators are among the best and most extensive
in the county of Wayne. He is a thorough and successful business man, a kind and
indulgent husband and parent, and an enterprising and public spirited citizen.
Hendrick, Austin, who was born in the town of Wolcott in November, 1852, a son
of Levi and Catherine (Tones) Hendrick. Levi was born in Wolcott in 1824, and they
had four children besides our subject : Mary N., wife of I. Van Arsdale of Owasco ; Will-
iam, of Auburn ; Frank, of Rose ; Catharine, wife of I. Silliman, of Fairhaven, Cayuga
county. John Hendrick was the grandfather's name. Subject began life by working
for farmers and finally purchased the farm of ninety acres, where he now lives. For
some years he gave his attention chiefly to horses and sheep. In 1876 he married
Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel C. and Caroline (Leroy) Keeslar. She was born in Huron,
and they had these children, Charlie and Leroy. Mr. Hendrick and wife are members
of the Wolcott Grange P. of A., No. 348, and in politics subject is a Republican. Mrs.
Hendrick's father, Daniel C. Keeslar and his two brothers, were members of the famous
9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery. Daniel first enlisted and served three years, and partici-
pated in nearly all of the battles of this county. He re- enlisted and was killed in the
battle before Petersburg. His brother, Simeon, died from a wound received in the
same battle ; and Alfred died in the hospital from typhoid fever. In honor of these
three brave men the Col. Dutton G. A. R. Post No. 55, at Wolcott was named the
Keeslar Post. Their father, Adam Keeslar, presented this post with an appropriate flag,
and died in 1889.
138 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Dickinson, George A., was born in Lysander, N. Y., October 12, 1852, a son of
Joshua O, who was a native of Greene county. He settled in Huron in 1857 and lived
here until his death. In politics he was a Republican, and served nine years as assessor.
His wife was Elmira Powell, and their children were: Steverson S., Powell C, Rachel,
wife of John Brink of Michigan ; Mary, wife of Reuben Brink of Michigan ; Kezia,
wife of Alfred Waldron of Huron ; Susan, wife of Charles Stone of Baldwinsville ;
Geooge A., Adelbert and Edna. Powell was killed in the Rebellion, at the battle of
Port Hudson. Steverson also served in the war. At the age of twenty-two our sub-
ject began life for himself by purchasing the farm of seventy-one acres in 1886 where
he now resides. He married Luna L., daughter of David and Maria Vought, of Huron.
In politics he is a Repnblican. His grandfather was Samuel Powell a native and shoe
merchant of Lysander, who came to Huron in 1857 and spent the remainder of his life
with his daughter, Mrs. Dickinson. Joshua Dickinson was a Mason, a member of the
Huron Grange Lodge, and was a delegate to many of the county and State con-
ventions.
Green, Hugh, was born at Geneva in 1822, came to Galen in 1825, lived with his
parents until nineteen years of age, when he spent three years in the lumber region
of Michigan. He then returned to Seneca Falls, where for nine years he managed a
saw-mill for Smith Bros. In 1854 he purchased a farm in Huron, and has devoted his
energies to that pursuit until his retirement to a pleasant home in the village of Wol-
cott. In 1851 he married Caroline L., daughter of B. S. Carter of Seneca Falls, and
they have three children: Emma, born in 1852, wife of N. C. Vought of Wolcott;
George, born in 1854, and Frank, born in 1861. Mr. Green still owns 147 acres of land
in Huron, in two farms nearly adjacent, and operated by his sons George and Frank.
Haley, Edward, was born in Walworth in July, 1856, the oldest son of Thomas and
Mary Haley, natives of Ireland, who came to America about 1855 and settled on a farm
in Walworth, where he now resides. His mother died in 1869. Edward was reared
on the farm, educated in the common schools and has always been a farmer. He is
extensively engaged in evaporating apples and fruit in the west. In 1875 he purchased
the farm of seventy- one acres, where he now resides, following general farming. He
is a prominent figure in local politics and is now serving his tenth year as assessor. He
is a Granger, and also a member of the Walworth Lodge, F. & A. M.
Peterson, C. 0., was born at Auburn, N. Y., July 29, 1854. At fifteen years of age
he was by an accident deprived of his right arm, in spite of which serious handicap he
acquired an academic education, and was for several years a sucjessful teacher. In
the meantime he studied law with Hon J. B. Decker and in 1882 was admitted to the
bar, beginning practice at once at Red Creek, where he is highly esteemed as a gentle-
man and scholar. When but twenty-one years of age he was Justice of the Peace,
and has been associate justice of the Court of Sessions with Judge Collins. In 1886
he married and has two sons, Ray Ames, born November 3 1888, and Carleton 0., born
July 12, 1894.
Smith, John H., was born July 20, 1831, and is a son of Walter H. Smith, who was
for forty years a merchant at Port Byron. John H. graduated from Clinton College in
1858 and practiced bookkeeping until the opening of the war in 1861, when he enlisted
in Company B, Seventy-fifth N. Y. S. Volunteers, where he held the rank of sergeant.
His army experience was mainly with the Army of the Gulf under Butler. Among the
battles in which he participated were Pensacola, Bayou La Fourche and the siege of
Port Hudson. At Cedar Creek he received severe injuries, confining him to the hos-
pital nearly a year. Since the war he has at various times engaged in gold mining and
mercantile business, in the west and as a traveling salesman. In 1874 he married
Emma M., daughter of George Vau Scoten, of Montrose, Pa.
Bullock Ira, was born at Wolcott village in 1865, and is the son of Stephen E. and
Martha Bullock, who came from Pennsylvania in 1859. Stephen Bullock served four
FAMILY SKETCHES. 139
years in the civil war, with honor and distinction. Ira was educated at Leavenworth
Institute, Wolcott, and served as deputy postmaster in Wolcott for four years, during
his father's incumbency under Garfield. In 1893 he purchased a farm near Red Creek.
April 27, 1892, he married Ethel, daughter of Theodore Oakley of Wolcott, and they
have one son, Stephen, born December 30, 1892.
Perkins, Herbert, wholesale and retail dealer in meats, fish and fruits, at Red Coeek,
was born at Hannibal, December 3, 1851. After the completion of his education at
Falley Seminary, he was for eight years engaged in farming, and in 1879 came to Red
Creek and established a livery business, which he still conducts, adding the market and
grocery in 1889. In 1870 he married Alida Hompe of Hannibal, and they have two
children, Nellie and Edward. Mr. Perkins is at present town clerk having been
elected in 1891.
Graves, H. A., one of the leading merchants of Wolcott. was born at Tully, Onon-
daga county, November 10, 1836. He is the eldest son of George S. Graves, who was
a woolen manufacturer at Tully and came to Wayne county in 1842, engaging in mer-
cantile business at South Butler, where he was also postmaster. He now lives in re-
tirement at Ottawa, 111. Henry A. Graves acquired an academic education at Onon-
daga Valley, and his first business venture was Ottawa, 111. In 1859 he succeeded his
father in the general store business at South Butler, and five years later came to Wol-
cott. Besides a large trade in dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries, etc., at No. 16
East Main street, he makes a specialty of evaporating fruits, in which product Wayne
county is unexcelled. In 1859 he married Sarah E., daughter of Charles J. Viele of
Wolcott, and his only son Charles S., who was born in 1869 and married Nellie Col-
burn, and is now engaged in the business with him at Wolcott.
James Vandenberg was born in Coxsackie, N. Y., July 31, 1827, and died in Clyde
May 14, 1894. He attended the academy in his native place and studied law, and
after admission to the bar removed to Cleveland, N. Y., where he soon became prom-
inent. In 1855 he located in Clyde and was in active and successful practice nearly
forty years. In the fall of 1865 he was elected to the Legislature by the Republicans,
and served a second term by re-election. In 1876 he formed a partnership with Charles
T. Saxton, which continued to his death. In 1879 he was elected district attorney of
Wayne county by a very large majority, and filled the office to the entire satisfaction
of his fellow citizens. He was a prominent member of the Bar Association and a Mason
of high standing. Mr. Vandenberg married in 1849 Rebecca Landgraff, of Cleveland.
Five children were born to them.
Pulver, R. T., born in Saratoga county in 1829, is the youngest and only survivor of
eight children of John and Nellie Pulver, who were residents of Columbia and Saratoga
counties respectively. Mr. Pulver died in 1848, and his wife in 1846. The family is
of Dutch descent. Risley Taylor, our subject, began life as a farm hand and has always
followed farming. He was twelve years in Iowa, then came to Ontario and bought the
farm he now occupies on the Lake road. He carries on general farming and fruit grow-
ing, and is also interested in breeding horses. Mr. Pulver has been three times mar-
ried, first to Elizabeth Sabin of Ontario, by whom he had one daughter and one son,
John S., a farmer in Columbia county, and Mary, who died aged nineteen. Mrs. Pulver
died and he married, second, a sister, Laura Sabin, who died, and he married, third,
Mary E. Rutherford of Marion, Wayne county. His son, John S., married Mary Card,
and they have one daughter, Theresa Florence.
Rogers, William G., (deceased) was born in Lyons July 6, 1841. His father, Bait-
lett, was one of the prominent men of his town. William G. was educated in the
Lyons Union School, to which he added through life by reading and close observation.
At the age of sixteen he entered active business life in Michigan in the lumber busi-
140 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
ness ; also was engaged in the mercantile business at Sodus with Erastus Rogers. His
health beginn:ng to fail at that period, he in connection with his father, purchased the
Lyman farm property of 200 acres. At the age of twenty-nine he married Sarah B.,
daughter of Benjamin J. Bradley of Lyons, and they are the parents of four children :
Louise B., George W., Wilmina and Mary Eleanor. Our subject took an active inter-
est in politics, was president of the village, and was connected with both school and
church. He died at the age of forty-three, leaving a wife and children to carry out his
many interests to completion.
Towlerton, Charles H., was born in Butler November 4, 1865. His father, James
Towlerton, came to Wayne county in 1846, from Leeds, England, and settled in the
town of Butler. Charles H. was educated in the common schools, graduated from
Leavenworth Institute in 1886 and from the University of the City of New York
Medical College in 1889. He was then appointed one of the medical staff of Bellevue
Hospital for the term of two years; at the expiration of his hospital service he received
the appointment of surgeon on the Netherland American Steamship Line. Resigning
that position in 1892 he located in Lyons and established a general practice. At the
age of twenty-six he married Nellie E., daughter of Fletcher S. Johnson of Wolcott.
Our subject is one of the best read members of his profession, a member of the Wayne
county Medical Society, also an active member of the Society of the Alumni of Bellevue
Hospital, New York,
Howk, John O, was born in Washington county, N. Y., March 7, 1836, a son of
Horace and Fanny (Crouch) Howk of Washington county. The father of Horace was
Andrew Howk, whose parents came from Holland and settled in Washington county
in an early day, the name having been originally Van Huyck. The mother of our subject
died in Fort Ann in 1838 and his father married second, Henrietta Spencer, daughter of
Captain Phineas Spencer, of Revolutinary fame, and they hac1 three sons. He was a
Republican in politics. John O, our subject, came to Wayne county at the age of nine
years and was reared by his uncle and aunt Loron and Electa Whitney of this county,
received his education in district school and Webster Academy. He followed farming
for thirty years upon the farm of 70 acres left him by his uncle in the west part of the
town of Ontario and which he still owns. And in 1888 came to the village of Ontario
and engaged in the coal and lumber trade where he still resides. He is a member of
the Presbyterian Church, has been an elder and superintendent of the Sunday school
twenty-six years in succession and served one year as president of the Wayne County
Sunday School Association. He is a Republican and has served as supervisor two
years. He is a member of the Royal Templars of Temperance and of the South Shore
Grange No. 552, of which he has been a master for seven years. In 1858 Mr. Howk
married Catherine, daughter of Dr. L. Whitcomb of Macedon Center, N. Y., who
practiced medicine in Wayne county about forty years and who was a member of the
Legislature in 1853. His wife was Deborah (Wells) Whitcomb, of Washington county,
N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Howk have five sons, of whom Loron W. was educated in
Webster Academy and Rochester University, graduating in 1888 and from the medical
department of the University of Michigan in 1891, and who is now a practicing phy-
sician in Rochester, N. Y. He married Ella Hildreth, of California. Edson J. was
educated in Webster Academy and the Genesee Normal School. His wife is Nina
Gardner and they have one son, Luther J. Judson W. resides at home, having been
educated in the Genesee Normal School. Oscar L. is also being educated at the latter
school. Horace J. resides at home and is attending the village school. They have
also adopted a brother's child, H. May who is now eight years of age,
Fisher, Jacob, was born in the Grand Duchy of Baden, October 29, 1831, first settled
in Rochester, in 1872 came to Lyons and rented the Lyons Pottery plant for five years,
and in 1878 purchased the business and real estate of the Harrington estate. The Lyons
FAMILY SKETCHES. 141
Pottery is a well-known manufactory throughout the United States, the merchandise
having a well deserved reputation for excellence and durability. The plant was first
established in 1825 by N. Clark & Co., and was rebuilt in 1889 by Mr. Fisher who has
continued to add to the plant since he bought the property in 1878, having a building
of two stories and basement of 175x50 feet including two kilns of 10,000 gallons capa-
city each, and having an average yearly output of 050,000 gallons of all kinds of stone-
ware. At the age of twenty-six he married Theresa Burger, and they have seven chil-
dren, four of whom are now living: Edmund, William Frederick, Amelia and Louisa.
Our subject is one of the most active business men in his town, identified in advancing
its best interests, and is recognized as a man of sterling integrity and high character.
Selby, Stephen Fish, was born August 16, 1815, in Western Pennsylvania, a son of
Jared C., and Ct:arity (Fish) Selby. The first two years of his life were spent at Pult-
neyville, where his parents resided. The next three or four years was spent at the
" Corners " and vicinity, then his parents removed to Palmyra. A year later he went
to live with Dr. Luther Cowan, remaining two years until the latter's death, when for
the next two years he resided with Capt. Asa Silly. He was four years in the store of
Luther Tucker in Palmyra, then learned the printer's trade out of school hours, then
went to Walworth with Luther Tucker in his store there, where he remained four years,
being then an orphan without means. Mr. Tucker's executors paid him $500 which he
put to interest, and then entered the office of Drs. Delamater & Loomis, of Palmyra,
working for his board, tuition and use of books. A year later Dr. Delamater went to
Fairfield to practice, taking young Selby with him. The latter spent eight months in
the academy in that place, four months in the medical college (each year for seven
years), and later went with Dr. Delamater to Little Falls where they remained a year,
then went to Willou^hby, Ohio, where our subject assisted the doctor in his practice and
graduated at Willoughby University. Dr. Delamater then went to Cleveland, leaviug
the practice with our subject, who remained here and in Northern Ohio following his
profession about seventeen years, including one year in partnership with Dr. Delamater
in Cleveland. In 1861 he enlisted and was placed in charge of the 3d 0. Y. C. as sur-
geon, which position he held two years, when partly disabled by fever. He was two
years in the hospitals of Nashville, Tenn., as surgeon, when he became permanently and
totally disabled and returned to Ohio. In 1873 he and family sought a quiet home in
Williamson, where they settled on a farm and have since resided, Dr. Selby receiving a
small pension. In 1846 he married Sarah Agnes Fisk, of Ashtabula, 0., and they had
seven children : Mary, Emma, Amos, Jared, Stephen, and Nellie, who died aged two
and one-half years, and one who died in infancy. Jared Cone Selby, his father, was
born May 2, 1787, and died February 22, 1826, at New Orleans aged thirty-eight years.
He was a past master Mason. His father was Jeremiah Selby who came from East
Haddam, Conn., about 1800 with his wife and seven children, making his way in a
small boat of his own construction to a point one and one-half miles west of Palmyra
on Mud Creek, where he located and built a grist mill and about 1805 moved to Pult-
neyville and built and operated a grist and saw mill till his death. He died September
15, 1811, aged sixty-six, and his wife Sarah Cone, died July 4, 1822. His father was
William Selby, M. D., who came from Selby, Yorkshire, England, about 1702. He was
a direct descendant of the first Selby, who was a Saxon sea captain and was the founder
of Selby.
Foskett, James G-., was born in Walworth December 29, 1848, son of Hiram and
Jane (Laird) Foskett, he a native of Walworth, born on the farm now owned by out-
subject May 8, 1815, and she of New Jersey, born April 9, 1810. She had been
previously married to Asaph G-. Foskett, a brother of Hiram Foskett, and had one child.
Asaph C Foskett was killed by a threshing machine on the homestead. The paternal
grandfather was David Foskett, born in Massachusetts, who came to Walworth in 1811
and settled on the farm owned by subject. He owned about 300 acres, was assessor
142 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
for sixteen years, justice of the peace eight years, and died September 15, 1849, aged
seventy-one years. His wife was Naamah Robinson, a native of Vermont. The father
of subject owned 150 acres of land now owned by subject. He died July 28, 1892,
and his wife October 15, 1888. Our subject was reared on the farm he owns and edu-
cated at Macedon Academy and Lima Seminary, owns 150 acres and now lives retired.
He has built a new barn and made other improvements. He married, February 15,
1883, Charlotte M. Johnson, a native of Macedon, and daughter of Herman and Bell
(Packard) Johnson. He was station agent at Macpdon and died in 1873.
Gould, William E., was born in Ontario May 2, 1837, son of Israel and Sally A. (Amy)
Gould, he a native of Canada, born in 1803, and she of Saratoga county, born in 1811.
The father of Israel was Daniel Gould, a native of New York, who came to Walworth
in 1804, where he spent the remainder of his life. His wife was Carlinthy Woodcock
a native of Lake George, by whom he had thirteen children. He was in the war of
1812. Subject's father was a man well informed, especially in mathematics. He settled
on a farm in Ontario now owned by subject, where he died. He was one of the largest
farmers in that town, owning about 300 acres. He died October 11, 1868, and his wife
May 5, 1844, aged thirty-three years. Subject was educated in Walworth Academy.
He owns 140 acres where he resides and sixty-three acres in Ontario, follows general
farming, and raised hops in Ontario fourteen years. He was a dealer in produce and
coal at Union Hill nine years. He was assessor seven years, is a member of Wayne
Lodge No. 41G, F. & A. M. He sent a substitute to the late war. He married, in 1862,
Malinda J. Brown, a native of Perrington, Monroe county, by whom he has three chil-
dren, the youngest a son, George W., who died at the age of twenty-one, Nora J., at
home, who graduated from the Brockport Normal School and was six years principal of
Adams School of Duluth, Minn.; Mary A., wife of Arthur L. Hatch, a merchant of
Lincoln in partnership with Mr. Kennedy and our subject. The firm is known as Ken-
nedy, Hatch & Co. She is a graduate of Brockport Normal School and has one
daughter, Marjorie G., born December 24, 1892.
Galloway, James, was born April 27, 1765, in Orange county and moved to Newton,
Chemung county, where he lived two years on the farm of John Jenkins, the surve}ror.
From Newton (now Elmira) he came to Palmyra April 27, 1790, locating on lot 37, now
owned and occupied by his son James. He bought the land of Jenkin & Swift for one
shilling eight pence per acre, and after clearing and planting two acres he returned to
his former home for his family. They lived three months in their covered wagon, then
built a log house, which was replaced in 1802 by a frame structure. His wife died in
1799, leaving five children John, Mary Ann, Hannah, Archer, and Polly; and he mar-
ried in 1819 Nancy, daughter of James Fosket. He had three children by his second
wife, James, Jerome B., Julia Ann. His widow, Nancy Galloway, died December 28,
1878, aged eighty- nine. His own death occurred July 21, 1840. To correct an error
in another work it may be stated that James Galloway purchased a soldier's right at
the close af the Revolution, of 640 acres in Onondaga county. This occurred before
he moved from Orange county and has no connection with the purchase of lot 37.
John, the son of James by his first wife, bought fifty acres of land near Palmyra. He
married Miss Betsey Cornwell. Their children were Duane, Thomas, George and Al-
mon. He took a contract to dig eighty rods of the Erie Canal. Thomas drove the oxen.
His brother, Duane, held the scraper. Thomas was born in Palmyra, July 28, 1809,
on the farm he now occupies. His mother died when he was nine years old. In
1823 he moved to Michigan with his father. In 1828 he returned to Palmyra. At the
age of twenty-one he came into possession of thirty-two acres of land, from his grand-
father (his birthplace). In 1836 he built a frame house and married Miss Ruby Giff-
ord, by whom he had six children, Milfred, Harriet and Carlton, Emma, Willis and
Helen. His wife died July 1892. The homestead consists of 160 acres.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 143
Freer, John, was born in Palmyra August 11, 1846, son of Isaac and Sarah (Beam)
Freer, natives of New York, he was born in 1805 and she in 1818. They came to So-
dus and after a short time went to Wisconsin and finally came to Williamson, and in
1858 settled on a farm in Walworth where Mr. Freer died in 1871 and his wife died in
Williamson in 1892. Subject was reared on a farm, and educated in the common
schools and Walworth Academy. He has always been a farmer, except four years
proprietor of Walworth hotel. He owns forty-two acres of land and makes a specialty
of raising fruit, having six acres of berries. He married twice, first, Agatha M. Briggs,
by whom he had three children : George, deceased ; Wellington and Frank. Mrs.
Freer died in 1880, and in 1884 he married second Ella Beckwith a native of Sodus, born
January 30, 1861, daughter of William and Sarah (Nye) Beckwith, he a native of Ar-
cadia, born in 1835 and she of Sodus, born in 1839. They now reside in Williamson.
Mason, Charles, was born in Williamson, N. Y., November 13, 1824. He is the
eighth of ten children of John and Eleanor Williamson Mason, both natives of New
Jersey, who came to Williamson in 1811. Mr. Mason was drowned November 13, 1831,
and his wife died July 10 1859. At seven years of age our subject started in life for
himself. He has been a cooper and farmer and owns 118 acres of land, following farm-
ing and growing small fruits. Mr. Mason has been highway commissioner for six years.
March 10, 1847, he married Iantha Gibbs, of Williamson, born December 18, 1829, a
daughter of Amasa Gibbs, who settled the farm where our subject now resides, and who
was also in the war of 1812. Mr. Mason and wife have two daughters and one son:
Harriet, at home ; Jennie (wife of W. H. Shafer), who has one son, Durfee, else-
where mentioned in this work. The father of our subject was a carpenter and mill-
wright, and also a cabinet maker. He built the Penfield mills, and the first M. E,
Church at Pultneyville. He also built the mill at Marion, owned by Mr. Cogswell.
Gilbert, Charles D., a native of Walworth, was born November 8, 1850, son of Daniel
and Betsey (Thomas) Gilbert, he a native Fabius, Onondaga county, born September
1, 1804, and she of Brookfield, Madison county, born December 12, 1806. The paternal
grandfather of subject was Apollus Gilbert, who died in Fabius in 1808. His wife was
Joanna Dunbar. Daniel Gilbert was an expert horse shoer and worked for the stage
line a number of years. In 1838 he came to West Walworth, bought a lot and built a
house and worked at his trade, and in 1852 purchased the farm where the family reside.
He died December 18, 1874. He married in Manlius in 1826 Betsey, daughter of
Asahel Thomas, born June 24, 1772, in Connecticut. His wife was Rebecca Pitkin,
born in Connecticut September 29, 1772. The children of Daniel and wife were
Benager Gilbert of Fairport ; George W., of Meckling, S. D. ; Frank L., of Walworth;
Charles D., our subject ; Aldisa, who died in 1887, wife of Loren Sweet, by whom she
had one child, Fred G. ; and Eliza, who died March 31, 1894. She was the wife of
Jacamiah Furman, of Fairport, by whom she had three children : Clara, deceased,
Lewis G., and Gilbert J. Subject was postmaster of West Walworth from April 16,
1887, to November, 1888, and resigned.
Hogan, A. N, is a son of Ashley Hogan, who came to this locality in 1826, clearing
with his own axe a farm of 100 acres, about one and one-half miles east of the farm
now occupied by his son, three miles north of Savannah. He was a man of some note
in his town, serving as supervisor of the poor, highway commissioner, etc. His first
wife, Rhoda Horton, bore him eight children, of whom the subject of our sketch is the
sole survivor. His second wife was Fannie Scott, of Butler, who died three years later
leaving no children. Mr. Hogan married third, Mary Carter, by whom he had three
children, two now living. A. N. Hogan married September 10, 1836, Polly Ketchum,
of this town, and they had five children: Phena, Anna E., Etta, Rhoda and William
Nelson. The latter now conducts the farm, his father being engaged as a veterinary
surgeon. He has also for fourteen years been overseer of the poor, also trustee of
school and gospel lot.
144 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Van Dyke, Mrs. Ralph, nee Polly Risley, is the widow of Ralph Van Dyke, who died
here June 25, 1876. Ralph Van Dyke was a worthy pensioner of the war of the Re-
bellion. He enlisted in 1863 in Company K, 50th N. Y. S. Engineers, and served as
corporal until the close of hostilities. Polly Van Dyke is the mother of seven children :
Ellen, Cornelia, Irene, George, Isadore, William and Juliet. George is an engineer and
boatman, unmarried, residing with his mother.
Wooster, Hiram 0., better known as ''Dock,' was born in the town of Ontario July
14, 1833. He is the fourth of seven children of Frederick N. and Emeline Wooster.
He has always been a farmer running a threshing machine f >r twenty-five falls. He
resided in Ontario until 1860 when he moved into the town of Walworth and in 1869
he purchased what is known as the Deacon Bancroft farm. This he exchanged for a
house and lot at Macedon Centre where he lived one year, after which he returned to
West Walworth and purchased a farm of 100 acres, known as the Joseph Gould farm,
on which he has since lived. He married in 1858 Martha Gould, daughter of Israel
Gould, of the town of Ontario, by whom he has one son, Fred M., who married Ella J.
Snow, daughter of the Rev. S. W. Snow, of Saratoga county, by whom he has two
children, Carl and Ruth. Fred lives at Union Hill, where he deals in coal, lumber, and
produce.
Yeomans, Albert, was born in Walworth January 20, 1848, a son of Eliab and
Phoebe (Walters) Yeomans, of Cairo, Greene county, the former born November 27,
1812, and the latter April 20, 1818. The grandparents were Gilbert and Sally Yeo-
mans. Eliab owned a farm of 210 acres, which was left to the family, and sixty-two
acres of which is now owned by our subject. Eliab died in 1873, and his wife survives.
Of their children, one son and four daughters are now living: Sarah, wife of W.
Mandeville, wholesale boot and shoe dealer, of Rochester; Lucy, wife of C. F. Sweezey,
of Marion ; Ella, wife Alderman M. B. Adams, of Rochester ; and Clara, who resides
on the homestead. Our subject was reared on the farm, educated at Walworth Acad-
emy and Business Institute, of Rochester, and in 1870 married Clara Billings, daughter
of Benjamin and Susan Billings, of Macedon. They have two daughters, Florence and
Edith. Mr. Yeomans makes a specialty of fruit growing and is a dealer inland fertiliz-
ers. He is a charter member of Walworth Grange, of which his wife is a member also.
Swadling, Stephen, was born in Sussex county, England, October 11, 1828, a son of
Stephen and Martha Swadling, the former having died there in 1831. His widow mar-
ried John Hook, by whom she had six children. Mr. Hook died in 1877, and his wife
in 1884, aged eighty years. Our subject came to America at twenty one years of age.
He owned a farm in Walworth which he sold, and came to Ontario in 1866, purchasing
a farm of fifty acres, following general farming and also evaporation of apples, the out-
put being about 4,000 yearly. Mr. Swadling married, August 20, 1854, Mary C,
daughter of Elijah and Mary Sova natives of Canada, who came to Ontario, where Mr.
Sova died in 1890 His widow resides with her daughter. Mr. Swadling and wife
have had eight children : George, who married Lucenia Warren, by whom he has four
children, Ada, Maud, Earl, and Ettie ; Charles married Mary Lutze and has two chil-
dren, Grace and Stephen 0.; Etta is the wife of Ira Boughton, by whom she had two
children, Eva and May. Mrs. Boughton died in 1881; Thomas, who married Clara
Lincoln, and has one child, Dora ; Lida, wife of Richard Lincoln, and has three chil-
dren, Stephen, Clinton, and Harrison ; William married Ella Parker, by whom he has
one child, Stephen ; Emma, wife of Joseph McCrea, by whom he has two children,
Jennie and Glenn ; and Jay, who married Lula Deright.
Downing, Fred B., was born in Walworth April 4, 1874, son of Elias W. Downing, of
Long Island, born December 24, 1824. The father of Elias was Silas Downing a native
of Long Island, who came to Walworth and settled on the farm where our subject now
FAMILY SKETCHES. 145
resides, where he died in 1848. His wife, Henrietta, died in 1878. The father of sub-
ject was a farmer and owned at his death fifty-five acres, the family now having ninety-
six acres and follow general farming and fruit raising. Mr. Downing died December
2, 1887, and his wife resides on the farm. Subject was reared on a farm and educated
in the common schools, and has the management of the homestead. Caroline
Downing is a daughter of David and Almedia (Thompson) Powell, he a native of
Dutchess county, born in 1808, and she a native of Penfield, born in 1815. Mr. Powell
came to Walworth in 1831 and settled on the farm now owned by his son, Edwin
Powell, where he died in 1877 and his wife in 1889. Blias W. Downing married
Caroline Powell December 5, 1855. She was born in Walworth June 11, 1837, and
they had six children: George H., who married Kate H. Buzzell, and resides in Michi-
gan; Alice, at home ; Benjamin W., who died in 1867 ; Francis, who died in 1864 ; Fred
B., who married Delia B. Reed and resides at home ; and Etta May, who resides at
home.
Reed, R. T., was born in Macedon October 14, 1832, son of Nathan S. and Mary A.
(Tedman) Reed, natives of Macedon, where the mother died in 1835, when subject was
an infant. His father then married Mary A. Rice, by whom he had seven children.
The paternal grandfather of subject was Paul Reed, a native of Massachusetts, born in
1773. His wife was Lois Stone, born in 1775, and they came to Macedon in 1795,
where he died in 1852, and his wife died Walworth in 1856. Subject's father was born
in 1803, has lived retired forty years. He lived where our subject does for three years
and then lived in West Walworth for some time, but for twenty-five years has lived
in Fairport where he resides, aged ninety-one. Our subject was educated in Macedon
Academy. He has always been a farmer, and he and father owned 200 acres and sub-
ject of sketch owns seventy-one acres and follows general farming. He is a member
of Walworth Lodge No. 254. F. and A. M. He married in 1853 Mary A. Hoag, a
native of Duanesburg, Schoharie county, by whom he has nine children, Charles W.,
who married Mary Bartels, and resides in Iowa; Emma J., wife of E. A. Furman ;
Eva, wife of Seymour Aldrich, of West Walworth ; Florence A., wife of W. A. Ford,
of Macedon ; John F., who married Verna Furman and resides at home ; Lewis, who
married Maggie Frush and lives in Fairport; Albert S., at home; Delia B., wife of
Fred Downing, and Carrie E., wife of Willis Main of West Walworth.
Stuck, Henry, born in Galen April 22, 1821, when twenty-one years of age, pur-
chased a farm in Savannah ; in 1863 he sold the place and and purchased the one where
he now resides. He is a substantial and much respected citizen, a Prohibitionist in
politics and has served as assessor of the town many years. Emeline, his wife, daugh-
ter of John Cay wood, born at Galen September 16, 1823; her present home has been
her home since childhood. Both are members of the Methodist Protestant Church.,
They were married in Savannah February 22, 1844. Their children are George A.,
born January 31, 1845, resides in Selma Ala., at business, manufacturer of aluminum
alloy products at Rome, Ga., married Lizzie Foster of Selma, Ala.; Wallace, born June
3, 1852, died October 30, 1860 ; Gustavus, born September 2, 1854, a carpenter by
trade, now residing on the home farm ; his wife is Maggie, daughter of John Davis, of
Savannah; Willie M., born October 11, 1858, a carpenter by trade, lives at Mt. Clem-
ens, Mich.; a son died in infancy April 26, 1861 ; Dora L., born February 7, 1863, also
died in infancy, November 10, 1863, and Everett, born June 1, 1865, a skilled mechanic
is with the National Cash Register Co. at Dayton, Ohio, his wife is Flora A., daughter
of Avery W. Lamb, of Rome, N. Y.
Hicks, George, Macedon,was born in Dover, England, county of Kent, December 25,
1842. He came to this county in 1871, on the day that peace was proclaimed between
the French and Prussians. He worked at his trade in Wayne county, Ontario, first,
then moved to SoduSj where he worked for some time. He next moved to Manchester,
146 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
and from there to Rochester and various other towns, finally settling in Wayne county
where he bought a place at Ontario Center and remained ten years, then moved to this
town, where he has since resided, working at his trade and at farming. He has been
twice married, and has one child. He is a Republican, a Granger, and has held the
office of school trustee.
Reeves, J. Dupha, was born in the town of Arcadia, on the farm where his mother
now resides, January 7, 1844. He was educated in the common schools and Eastman's
Commercial College at Poughkeepsie. He is a farmer and merchant miller by occupa-
tion. In he spring of 1881 he was elected supervisor of the town, re-elected in 1882,
again in 1889, serving up to the present time. October 8, 1867, he married Alice R.
Welcher of his native town, and they have eleven children : R. Newell, Ida A., Glen B.,
Delia M., Mary A., Martha A., J. Herve, Alice A., Paul D., Park M., and Ruth M.
Glen B. married Florence Smith of this town. Mr. Reeves' father, James H.,was born
in Palmyra. He was educated in the schools of his day, was a miller and farmer. He
married Cordelia A. Adams of the town of Williamson, and they had eight children :
Simeon, Peter, Mary, Martha J., Dupha, Raymond J., Dupha, who died in infancy and
George, who died in 1880. Mr. Reeves' grandfather, Paul Reeves, was born on Long-
Island in 1780. He married Sarah Ware of Delaware county, and located in Bast
Palmyra before 1800. At this time Garnargwa Creek, generally known as Mud, was a
navigable stream. His grandfather received a grant from the Legislature to erect a
dam on that stream, which was completed by him and Mr. Reeves' father in 1802, at
the place known as Mud Mills in early times, but more recently Excelsior Mills. His
grandfather sold out the mills at Mud Creek in 1814, went to Williamson and erected
another mill. The ancestry of this family is English and Welch.
Wigglesworth, A. G., furniture and undertaking, was born at Palmyra April 1, 1841,
and has always resided here. Matthew W., the father, a native of Yorkshire, England,
came to America and located at Palmyra in 1836 with his wife, Elizabeth (Hudson)
Wigglesworth, and a family of four sons and six daughters. Mr. Wigglesworth was
educated at the Palmyra Classical Union School, followed farming until 1873, then
located in Palmyra in the coal and produce trade till 1891, when he sold and embarked
in the furniture and undertaking business. He was assessor three years, and overseer
five years. In 1862 he married Emma L, daughter of Noah Palmer, one of the pio-
neers of the county, and they have one son, Orla A., and one daughter, Alta.
Thompson, Harry P., was born in Ontario, January 19, 1857, the third of eight chil-
dren of Edward and Mary (Paine) Thompson, natives of England. They came to
America in 1856 with a family of two children, and settled on a farm in Ontario. In
1872 he went to the town of Williamson and bought a farm, where he spent the re-
mainder of his days, dying in March, 1869. Mrs. Thompson still resides on the home-
stead, at the age of sixty-five years. The rest of the family still survive, except one
daughter, Annie, who died at the age of twenty-six years. Subject was reared on a
farm and has always followed farming. February 19, 1874, he married Mrs. Clara L.
(Bishop) Marsh, widow of Manley Marsh, and daughter of J. M. Bishop of Ontario.
Mrs. Marsh had one son, Fay Marsh, who is still at home. He was born February 24,
1872, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have had one son, Floyd O, born August 25, 1875. In
1889 he purchased the farm he now owns in Ontario, where he is engaged in general
farming and fruit growing. He has thirteen acres of apples, eleven acres of raspber-
ries, three acres of strawberries, is putting out eight acres of peaches, and has one and
one-fourth acres of grapes. In politics he is a Republican, and the family are Baptists
in religion.
Tiffany, Reuben was born in Middlesex, Ontario county, December 3, 1814, a son of
Garden and Rebecca (Slaton) Tiffany, both of Pennsylvania. The grandfather was
John Tiffany of Massachusetts, who was descended from Squire Humphrey Tiffany,
FAMILY SKETCHES. [4."i
of England. Garden Tiffany came to this county when young and took up 400 acres,
part of which is still owned by the family. He died March 31, 1856. Reuben T. was
educated in the common schools, and engaged in teaching for several years and was
also superintendent in Macedon. He was a public-spirited, generous man, and is re-
membered by a large circle of friends. He died on the old homestead in 1893. His
first wife was Mary A. Everett of Macedon ; and his second was Mary A. Peacock,
widow of Samuel Peacock. Their children were as follows : Milton J., who died aged
seventeen years, March 23, 1868; and Alice, wife of Charles R. Dryer, M.D., of Victor,
who now has a chair in the Terre Haute Normal School. He has been lecturer on
chemistry in the Fort Wayne Grammar School, and is city chemist. Mrs. Dryer was
educated in Macedon, and was a student of Lima College, under the instruction of
Miss Willard. She was a delegate to the World's Fair from Indiana Literary Club.
Mr. Peacock died in California in 1854, and her marriage with Mr. Tiffany occurred
in 1871. They have adopted George P. Bancroft as their son, he being a nephew of
Mr. Tiffany.
Smouton, C. H, was born in Palmyra January 13, 1840. He is the oldest of a
family of three children of John and Louisa (Walton) Smouton, natives of England,
came to Palmyra in 1836, and to Williamson in 1846 and settled on the farm subject
now owns, where he died August 3, 1879, and his wife in 1846. Our subject was
reared on a farm, owns sixty-five acres of land, and follows general farming. He is a
Democrat in politics. He married, in 1867, Artimitia Nye, a nati e of Sodus, a daugh-
ter of Lewis and Pattie Nye, of Sodus, coming there in an early day. Mr. Smouton
and wife have had two children : Fred B., who married Nora A. Denney, daughter of
Loren Denney, of Williamson, and had one child, Ruth B.; and Martha L., wife of
Thomas Burden, of Ontario.
Plumb, Charles G., M. D., was born December 17, 1854, at Sterling, Cayuga county,
and is the son of S. Hiram, born February 19, 1819, and Nancy (Pease) Plumb, born
July 16, 1822. S. Hiram Plumb received an academic education at Elbridge, N.Y., sup-
plemented by a medical course at the University of New York, and after graduating
from the latter institution with the degree of M . D. began practice at Red Creek. In
February, 1862, he received the appointment of assistant surgeon 24th N.Y. Volunteers,
later promoted to 82d N.Y.S. Volunteers as surgeon, and in 1864 made chief of oper-
ating staff, second division, second corps, with rank of colonel. At the close of the war
he resumed his practice at Red Creek, where he died August 12, 1880. Charles G.
Plumb is one of a family of ten children, of whom one brother, Alfred W., is now
principal of Union School No. 6, Savannah. Charles acquired his earlier education at
Red Creek Academy, then taught three years in common schools, two years in Lyons
Union School, and "early in 1881 graduated from the medical department of the Uni-
versity of Buffalo, with the degree of M.D., and began practice at Owasco. May 11,
1881, he married Jessie, daughter of Dr. Rice, of, Hannibal, and they had three
children: George R., born May 12, 1882, who died in infancy; Robert H., born
August 12, 1885; and a daughter born in February, 1891, who died in extreme infancy.
As the result of an injury while away from home, confining Mrs. Plumb to her room
for a year, Dr. Plumb abandoned his practice and cared for her. They then moved to
Red Creek, and Mr. Plumb was for two years principal of the public school at that
place. In 1887 he became principal of Savannah Union School. During his principal-
ship an academic course was organized, and the resident attendance at the school in-
creased thirty-eight per cent, in two years. The increased attendance necessitated a
large force of teachers, and led to the "incorporation of the academic department by the
Board of Regents, and finally to the erection of a large and beautiful school building.
Mr. Plumb it president of the District Association of Y. P. S. C. E. of Eastern Wayne.
In March Mr. Plumb resigned the principalship of Savannah school to take a course in
the Post Graduate Medical College of New York, and has since resumed the practice of
medicine at Red Creek, N.Y.
148 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Pratt, Jonathan S., born in Williamson, Wayne county, January 21, 1838, is the son
of Jonathan and Clarissa (Jennings) Pratt, both of New England stock, and pioneers of
Williamson. Mr. Pratt came to Williamson with his parents when it was a
a wilderness, and settled on a farm. His parents died soon after, leaving him
at the age of eighteen with the farm of 300 acres to pay for. This he did
and bought about 400 acres more, which he left to the family. He was a lumberman
and stock dealer and was successful. In politics he was a Whig, and they were mem-
bers of the M. E. church. He died in 1850, and his wife in 1886. Subject was reared
on the farm and worked with his father until 1861, when he enlisted in the 8th N. Y.
Cavalry, was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry and held about three months. He mar-
ried Harriet S. Richmond, by whom he has two sons and two daughters: Clara M.,
Frank J., Charles H., and Mabel Gr. After the war he engaged in farming on a portion
of the old Pratt homestead, .which he sold a few years later, and bought the place
known as the Thomas farm, where he now lives. His farm comprises fifty acres,
mostly devoted to fruit. In politics he is a Republican, and he and family are Baptists.
Evans, David H., was born in Tyre, Seneca county, December 7, 1837. His father,
John G. Evans, emigrated from I ngland in 1802, when nine years of age. He was a
member of the M. E. Church for fifty years, postmaster for twenty-five years and justice
of the peace for four years. He died July 15, 1877, aged eighty-four years. David H.
Evans was educated at Fort Plain Seminary, beginning his public career as a justice
of the peace when twenty-six years of age, and four years later was made supervisor,
serving seven years. February 24, 1845, he married Catherine Wurts of Savannah, by
whom he had five children : Clara B., Mary W., Edwin Gr., Bertha B. and Maud, who
died in 1884 at six years of age. Catherine Evans died in 1885, and he married second,
in 1893, Catherine L. Ransom of Montezuma. Mr. Evans represented Seneca county in
the assembly in 1879 and 1880, where he served as chairman of committee on in-
ternal affairs. He was the first Republican elected in Seneca county for thirty years,
He was elected to the Senate in 1882 from the 26th district, comprising the counties of
Seneca, Cayuga, Tompkins and Tioga by a plurality of 4,270. Since 1880 he has been
extensively engaged in farming and dealing in real estate; in 1894 holding 1,200 acres
adjacent to his homestead.
Carncross, Andrew, was born in Savannah in 1834, and has spent his entire life
here. His parents was Jacob and Catherine (Cline) Carncross, who came originally
from the East, and from Onondaga county in 1822. Jacob was born May 1, 1809, and
died in 1884, and the latter, born August 22, 1803, and died in 1886. Andrew is situ-
ated on a farm about two miles northeast of Savannah, and adjacent to his brother
William. He is unmarried and a man of some eccentricities of character, but much
respected by those who know him. He is a sturdy Republican in politics.
Milne, Alexander P., is a native of Scotland, was born at Turriff. Aberdeenshire, in
1854. He was educated at the Turriff High School and Fordyce Academy in Banff-
shire, served one year in the law office of John Christie, Solicitor Banff, and also served
an apprenticeship of five years in the Commercial Bank of Scotland at Turriff and was
sent from there to Canada as an employee of the Bank of British North America where
he was located at London, Hamilton, and Toronto branches. After a residence of six
years in the Dominion he migrated to the United States where he swore fealty to Uncle
Sam and acquired citizenship. He has since held various positions of trust and respon-
sibility. For the past six years he has been cashier and head bookkeeper for the Wayne
Building, Loan, and Accumulating Fund Association and for three years treasurer of the
village of Palmyra, he also holds an appointment as notary public and is prominently
identified with various local organizations of a social and fraternal character. In the
spring of 1894 Mr. Milne received the nomination for town clerk and was elected by a
large majority. He married in 1877, Hattie, daughter of Alexander Rannie, of Pal-
myra, and has two children, a son and a daughter.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 149
Van Wickle, Simon, was born in Lyons, Wayne county, September 2, 1817, and died
at his home in Savannah March 8, 1894, of exhaustion following an attack of la
grippe. His father was Evart Van Wickle and his mother Catharine (Dorchester) Van
Wickle. They were natives of the State of New Jersey. In 1845 Mr. Van Wickle
married Maria Lloyd, daughter of Peter and Sarah (Erickson) Lloyd. Five children
were born to them : Sarah C, now Mrs. E. J. Carris; Charles D., Simon H., Amelia
A., and Mary E.. now Mrs. W. H. Sweeting. In 1869_Charles died of inflammation of
the brain, and in 1877 Simon died of inflammation of the spinal cord. The loss of these
promising sons saddened the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Van Wickle for many years. In
1891 Mrs. Van Wickle died suddenly of apoplexy. Her death coming so unexpectedly
was a blow of almost crushing force to the surviving members of the family. Mr. Van
Wickle's chosen occupation was that of farming, in which he was very successful. In
closing this brief biography of Simon Van Wickle, it may truthfully be said that he
was a conscientious, upright, honorable man, and died respected and esteemed by all
who knew him.
Johnson, Russell, was born in De Kalb, St. Lawrence county, October 27, 1828. He
is the second child of a family of four children of Russell and Phebe (Eddy) Johnson,
natives of Coleraine, Franklin county, Mass., and early settlers (1827) of De Kalb, St.
Lawrence connty, N. Y., where his mother died when our subject was ten years of age.
The father then married Abigail Van Duzzer, by whom he had four children. He
finally came to Ontario where he died in 1876. Russell was educated in the Gouver-
neur Academy and at Burlington, Iowa. Taught school, then went west to Illinois
where he taught school and clerked for several years ; was assistant postmaster at
Prairie City, Illinois, at the outbreak of the war when he left his position and enlisted
at Chicago in Company A, 89th HI. Inf., August 27, 1852, serving untd June 10. 1865.
After six months service he was appointed commissary of his regiment, and held the
position till the close of the war, and was at Perryville, Stone River, Liberty Gap,
Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, then marched to the relief of Burnside
besieged at Knoxville, Tenn. On the Atlanta campaign participated in the victories of
Rocky Face, Resaca, Pickett's Mills, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and the flank
movement at Atlanta, and was at Jonesboro and Lone Joy Station, Spring Hill, Frank-
lin and Nashville. From the time of leaving Louisville, until the return there the regi-
ment traveled 2,253 miles on foot and 1,127 by railroad. Out of 1,201 borne on its
rolls 820 were killed in action, died from wounds or discharged on account of disability
contracted in the service. At the close of the war Mr. Johnson came to Ontario where
he has since lived. He engaged in the mercantile business and for some years kept a
general stock, but now makes a specialty of clothing, boots and shoes. He is a Repub-
lican and attended the convention, which resulted in the nomination of Abraham Lin-
coln, the first Republican President, has served as postmaster here ten years, justice of
the peace twelve years, and superintendent three years. He is a member of the Bap-
tist Church of Ontario and of the-G. A. R.
Philip, Thaideus, was born in Herkimer county January 15, 1845, and came with his
parents, Jeremiah G. and Almeria (Lockwood) Philip, to Palmyra, locating on the farm
now owned and occupied by him. He was educated in the Palmyra Class A. School,
and the Hudson River Institute, and served in the late war for ten months, enlisting in
August, 1864, in the 111th Regiment, Company A, as corporal. In 1869 he married
Ella A, Burr, a native of Marion, and they have had three children : Jerrie G., born
May 18, 1871, died aged twenty years; Jennie A., born in 1873; and Besssie L., born
in 1884. The father of our subject was a native of Columbia county, who died in
1890, and the mother in 1887. Henry, a brother of Thaddeus, is a resident of Cali-
fornia. The homestead farm consists of 148 acres.
Stanford, Harvey E., was born in Oneida county, this State, in October, 1843. He
is a son of Richard and Sally (Thorne) Stanford, came with his parents to this town in
150 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
1858, was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. Early in life he learned
the trade of a carpenter and has for many years followed the profession of contractor
and builder, also owns a small farm. He is a Republican in politics, has held several
minor town offices and is now serving his first term as justice of the peace. Mr. Stan-
ford enlisted in Co. B, 8th N. Y. Cavalry in September, 1864 and served until the close
of the war. He married in 1872 Ella A. Andrew, a native of this town, and daughter
of Alexander and Delia (Willard) Andrew. Mr. Stanford and wife have one daughter,
Carrie L., wife of Edgar Brundage, a native of this town.
Nash, C. J., dealer in pianos, organs, carriages, wagons, and sewing machines, also a
full line of musical instruments, clocks, jewelry, and leading styles of bicycles. Mr.
Nash was born in Williamson April 24, 1855, and is the oldest child of John and Eliza-
beth Craggs Nash. Mr. Nash died in 1869, aged forty-four. Our subject was educated
at Walworth and Sodus Academies, and worked as a clerk at Sodus and at Buffalo for
about five years, and in 1876 he came to Ontario Centre and engaged in the hardware
business. He now has a building of two stories 45x60 and a warehouse 46x36 feet.
He was appointed postmaster at the Center in April, 1881, and held office until 1885,
and was again appointed in April, 1889, and held office until August 15 1894. He has
been clerk of the town since 1879, with the exception of from March to August, 1892.
In March, 1877, he married Sarah L. Fish, of Williamson, a daughter of Harry and
Fannie Fish, and they have five children: H. Raymond; A. Laverne: Edson J.; C.
Stewart and Isabelle O, twins.
Smith, Elias, was born in Niagara county April 1, 1821, the third of twelve children
of Samuel and Hannah (Brown) Smith, he a native of Maine and she of New Jersey.
Samuel Smith came to Farmington, Ontario county, when twenty years of age, and
after he married moved to Niagara county, where he resided until 1827, when he came
to Ontario and died in 1869, and his wife in 1872. He was in the War of 1812. Sub-
ject was educated in the common schools, and has always been a farmer. He owns
sixty-four and one-half acres of land, and follows general farming. Mr. Smith was a
Whig, but has been a Republican since the organization of the party. He married in
September, 1846, Polly Thayer, daughter of Aldrich and Hulda (Alcott) Thayer. Mr.
Smith and wife have had two children : Winfield S., who married Susan, daughter of
John and Hannah Lane, of Ontario; and Sarah T., wife of Sherman Colby, who has
three children : Howard E., Dana, and Blanche T. Mr. Smith and wife are members
of the M. E. church, and he has been teacher in the Bible class.
Wooster, Oscar A., was born in Ontario, September 14, 1826, the oldest of seven
children of Frederick H. and Emaline E. Hathaway, the former born October 24, 1803,
in Schenectady, and the latter June 18, 1806. Mr. Wooster and wife spent their lives
in Wayne county, where he died in 1891, and his wife in 1884. In 1807 his parents
came from Connecticut to the town of Ontario, and settled on the Ridge road, fourteen
miles east of what is now Rochester. Frederick H. was one of nine children, of whom
only one, Oliver B., is living, in Allegan county, Mich., aged seventy-three. Oscar A.
was educated in the common and Clyde select schools, has been a blacksmith through
life, and resides in Ontario. He married Helen J. Hayden, a native of Mendon, Monroe
county, by whom he has two children : Isabella, wife of Richard Dillingham ; and
Frances, wife of George Bills, and they have three children : Elsie, Georgia and Jay.
Mr. Wooster is a Republican, has been constable two years, justice of the peace one
year, justice in Walworth twelve years, and notary public ten years. He is a member
of Walworth Lodge, F. &; A. M. Mr. Wooster's father was Isaac Hayden, who spent
most of his life in Monroe county. He died in Ontario June 26, 1847. His wife was
Margaret Ogden, who now resides with her daughter at the age of ninety-three. She
was born in Ontario county, town of Victor, and her parents were Jonathan and
Catherine (Sines) Ogden, early settlers of Victor.
FAMILY SKETCHES. I.-.1
Smith, Frank W,, was born on the farm he owns February 25. 1850, the oldest of four
children of Sanford and Lodosca (Place) Smith, he a native of Walworth, born in 1816
on the farm of our subject, and she a native of Hindsburg, Vt., born in 1829. The grand-
father was Oliver Smith, a Dative of West Stockbridge, Mass., who came on the farm
our subject owns in 1805, where he died in 1826, aged forty-five. His wife was Thank-
ful Ford, born in West Stockbridge, Mass., who died in 1858 aged eighty-three. The
grandfather on the mother's side was Roswell P. Place, born in 1803 (birthplace not
known). He enlisted in the army in 1846, at Lyons, to take part in the Mexican war.
Served until nearly the end of the war when was taken sick with fever and died in
Mexico. His wife was Aurellia Branch, born in 1804 at Monkton, Vt., was the mother
of seven children, all girls, of which the oldest was the mother of subject. She died in
Vermont in 1878. Subject was reared on a farm, educated in Palmyra Union Schools,
a resident of Chicago for several years, and followed the dramatic profession for seven
years, traveling through Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, and portions of
Canada and Pennsylvania. He returned to his farm life in 1879 where he has since
resided, except one year selling nursery stock for Elwanger & Barry of Rochester. He
owns 100 acres, follows general farming and makes a specialty of raising small fruit.
He was married twice, first to Emma C. Payne, a native of Blissfield, Lenawee county,
Mich., who died August 20, 1876; and subject married, second, in 1886 Annie E.,
daughter William Barnsdale of Walworth. Our subject has one brother living, Albert
R., a railroad man of Buffalo.
Pratt, J. D., was born in Ontario November 21, 1853, the youngest of three children,
Amelia, Eugene, and Delmer. Amelia was a resident of this town until 1889, when
she visited Pomona, Cal., and while there married a former New York man, W. D.
Ellis, and now resides in that State ; Eugene was drowned in the mill pond on the farm
of his grandfather, Jonathan Pratt, at the age of seven ; J. Delmer was reared on the
farm, educated in the common school and Collegiate Institute in Marion, afterward
taking a course at the Rochester Business University. He still owns fifty-three acres
of the old homestead situated on the town line road between Williamson and Ontario,
near the lake. He also owns eighty-three acres, known as the Turner farm, situated
south of Ontario village, where he now follows general farming and grape culture,
having seven acres of Niagaras. December 18, 1879, he married Florence, eldest
daughter of John S. and Margaret Britton, her parents being natives of England and
Ireland respectively, both having come to Wayne county when children. Mr. and Mrs.
Pratt have two children: Esca A. and Leah M. The parents of J. D. Pratt were Joel
and Cornelia (Potter) Pratt, the former a native of Williamson, and the latter of Sara-
toga. Joel was a son of Jonathan and Clarissa (Jennings) Pratt, the former a native
of Whately, Mass., and the latter of Burlington, N. Y., who came to Wayne county in
1811 and settled on the lake road near the town line between Williamson and Ontario.
Joel died January 5, 1884, and his wife in March, 1854. His second wife was Mrs.
Rhoda Hartwell. In October, 1883, he married Mrs. Blythe.
Frost, Samuel, was born in Oswego county in 1831. He lived twelve years in Ohio,
and at the age of fifteen returned to Oswego county, where he remained till 1859,
since which time he resided in Palmyra. In 1864 he began running an engine on the
New York Central, and is now one of the oldest men in the service of the road. In
1857 he married Eveline Starks. who died in 1881, and they had children as follows:
Dillon O, born in 1859, now engineer on the New York Central ; Frank, born in 1869,
who died in 1887 at the age of eighteen ; and Edna, born in 1879.
Wooster, Denison S., was born in Ontario June 29, 1829, the second of seven chil-
dren of Frederick H. and Emeline Hathaway. Subject was reared on a farm, educated
in the common school, and learned the blacksmiths' trade, which he followed many
years, but his principal occupation is farming. In 1851 he came to Walworth, located
on the farm where he now resides, and has made many improvements. He has been
152 • LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
commissioner of highways three terms, assessor eleven years, and collector and constable
one year. He was a member of the Sons of Temperance. He sent a substitute to the
late war. He married, in 1854, Orrinda C, daughter of Israel Gould, and they had
three children : Irvin D., who died in infancy ; Truman G., who resides in Allegany
county, and is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, is also business man-
ager of the furniture manufacturing company of that place ; and William D., who re-
sides in the same place, is engaged in the same business with his brother, and is also in-
terested in the manufacturing business.
Gould, Theron 0., was born February 17, 1837, the oldest of six children born to
Amos and Margaret Gould. Amos was born October 22, 1814, and was a son of Daniel
Gould mentioned elsewhere in this work. Margaret (McCreery) Gould was born in
Macedon November 16, 1814, and as a matter of history rode on the first canal boat
that passed through Macedon. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the
common schools and Macedon Academy. He owns a farm at Lincoln in Walworth and
has a pleasant home. In politics he is independent, having been a Greenbacker he is a
firm believer in doing away with National Banks and Congress to issue the currency
and regulate its value. On February 17, 1861, he married Mary Maguire who was born
September 26, 1840. She was the daughter of Francis and Catharine Maguire and
came from England with a brother when but thirteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs.
Gould have had two children : Charlie, who was born July 30, 1866, who was educated
in the common schools and Walworth Academy and resides at home, and Frank, born
December 4, 1871. He married Nellie Bailey of Lowell, Michigan, and has two chil-
dren, Mary and Viola. He is a dealer in green and evaporated fruit in Mulliken,
Michigan.
Moore F. W., was born in Red Hook, Dutchess county, July 25, 1817, son of Philip
H., and Elizabeth Fellows, he a native of Red Hook and she of Rhinebeck, Dutchess
county. They came to Walworth in 1837, and settled on the farm now owned by our
subject, where Mr. Moore died in June, 1862, and his wife in June, 1849. The grand-
father was Philip Moore, whose father was a native of Germany, and an early settler
of Dutchess county, where he died. Subject's father was drafted in the War of 1812.
Subject has always been a farmer, owns a portion of the original farm his father set-
tled, at present owns ninety-three acres, follows general farming, and is one of the
largest stock dealers in Walworth. He has for over twenty years been engaged in
selling agricultural implements, and at present represents the McCormick Company.
He has been commissioner of highways, overseer of poor, and supervisor. He married
in 1851 Hannah Smalley a native of Honeoye Falls, Monroe county, and daughter of
Jonas and Eleanor Smalley, who were natives of New Jersey, settled in Geneva and
finally in Monroe county, where they died. Mr. Moore and wife had three children:
J. Ella, Fred C, and Genoa, who died aged five.
Clemans, Putney, was born in Walworth, November 2, 1835, the youngest of thir-
teen children of Asaph and Orpha (Ives) Clemans, natives of Massachusetts. He went
to Cazenovia at an early day and in 1812 came to Walworth and settled on the farm
now owned by our subject, where he died January 22, 1862 and his wife January 6,
1880. He was in the War of 1812. He was a practicing physician many years in
connection with farming. He and his wife were members of the M. E. Church. The
grandfather of our subject was Moses Clemans, who lived and died in Massachusetts.
Our subject was reared on the farm he owns and educated in West Walworth Acad-
emy. He has always been a farmer and owns sixty-eight acres, also followed thresh-
ing for some time. He married April 26, 1857, Emily Knights, who died in May, 1858.
Gibbs, Newton 0., born in Williamson September 25, 1845, is the oldest of five sons
of Amasa and Mary Gibbs, he a native of Williamson and she of the same town. The
grandfather of subject was Amasa Gibbs, one of the first settlers of Williamson, who
FAMILY SKETCHES. L53
kept hotel many years. The father of Mrs. Gibbs was Jackson Mason, one of the early-
settlers. The father of subject was a farmer, and died in 1857 and his wife in 1866.
Our subject was educated in the common schools, has followed coopering and farming,
and owns ninety-five acres of land. He married in 1871 Mary (Thomas) Stevens,
widow of James Stevens, born in Wayne county, by whom he had one child, Jessie,
wife of Frank Ooncher, of Marion, N. Y.
Mclntyre, Calvin, jr., was born at the homstead of his father, in the town of Elbridge,
Onondaga county, N. Y., August 16, 1836. His father was a native of Essex county,
and removed with his parents to the town of Elbridge in the year of 1816. The family
were of English, Welsh and Scotch extraction, tracing their descent back to Clan
Mclntyre, of Gleno, Scotland, who occupied Gleno upwards of one thousand years.
They settled at an early date in Vermont and afterwards located near Mt. Mclntyre,
Essex county, N. Y. "His great-grandmother, Jemima Brockett, was a direct descend-
ant of Sir John Brockett, baronet of Brockett's Hall and Manor, County of Herts,
England; also a descendant of William Tuttle, who came to this country in the Planter
and settled in New Haven in 1635. His grandfather, Joseph Mclntyre, served in the
French and Indian war and the American Bevolution, and two of his uncles in the war
of 1812. Calvin was brought up on his father's farm near Jordan, N. Y., receiving his
education at the Jordan Academy. In 1854 he entered the employ of Horace P. Mol-
ton, of Jordan, N. Y., in the mercantile business and remained until 1856, when he en-
gaged in the agricultural business with his father until the latter's death in 1870. In
1878 he came to Clyde and established the firm of Warner & Mclntyre, grain dealers
and maltsters, one of the largest firms in Central New York, and who are now conduct-
ing a very successful business. He was elected trustee of the village of Clyde in 1882,
and has frequently been a delegate to various county and State conventions. In 1890
he was a delegate to the Democratic State Convention, of Saratoga, N. Y., was elected
one of the vice-presidents of the convention, and supported the nomination of Gov.
Flower. At the age of twenty-four he married Frances E., daughter of Nathan Shaw,
esq., of Elbridge, and Laura A. Evans, whose family were direct descendants of one of
the noble families of England, and of Francis Dudley of Concord, Mass., who was a
soldier in King Philip's Indian war in 1675. The first of the family to come to this coun-
try was Thomas Dudley, who settled in Roxbury in 1630 and was colonial governor of
Massachusetts in 1640. Mr. and Mrs. Mclntyre have one son, Edward M., and two daugh-
ters, Mrs. Emma L. Wright, and Stella Elizabeth. Mr. Mclntyre takes an active interest
in all educational affairs, and is a liberal supporter of religious institutions. In religion he
is a Presbyterian, his family being members of that order, and contributing generously
to the support of church interests. Hon. Edward M. was born in the town of Elbridge,
Onondaga county, N. Y., April 16, 1861. He was educated at the Jordan Academy,
and removed with his parents to Clyde in 1878, entering his father's office as book-
keeper and general assistant. In 1885 he engaged in the malting business with his
father and established the firm of Calvin Mclntyre & Son, maltsters and grain dealers,
at Phelps, N. Y., with a branch located at Seneca Falls, N. Y., in 1887. He is secre-
tary and treasurer of the Clyde Electric Company, and was one of its incorporators.
At the age of twenty-one, he was the Democratic candidate for sheriff of Wayne
county, and was defeated by a small plurality, largely reducing the majority formerly
given to the Republican candidates. He has been repeatedly a delegate to various
county and State conventions, and served on the committee of credentials at the
Democratic State Convention at Saratoga in 1887, He was also one of a committee on
permanent organization at Buffalo in 1888, and was chairman of the Wayne County
Democratic Committee in 1889. Edward M. was one of the presidential electors elected
in 1892, and cast his ballot for Grover Cleveland for president in the Electoral College
at Albany, N. Y., January 9, 1893. He is one of the leading business men of Wayne
county, and is a man of fine education and recognized ability,
t
154 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
Sweeting, Dr. Mortimer Franklin, was born in the town of Marcellus, Onondaga
county, N. Y., August 30, 1817. When a mere child his parents moved to the present
town of Camillus, in same county, where ever after his parents lived on same farm and
died at the extreme oid age of ninety-three and ninety-four. Mason Sweeting, his
father, was born in Mansfield, Bristol county, Mass., November 24, 1768, and Lydia
Pratt, his mother, was born in the same town September 5, 1776. They were united
in marriage April, 1793. His father was the son of Dr. Lewis Sweeting, who was a
surgeon in the Revolution, and after the war closed, was a representative in the General
Assembly of Massachusetts from his county. Two Sweeting brothers emigrated from
England in 1643 to escape Cromwell's persecution, one of these brothers was Dr. Lewis
Sweeting's father. Dr. M. F. Sweeting, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the
common schools, and in Cazenovia Seminary, and Clinton Liberal Institute, then located
at Clinton, N. Y. After leaving school he had a position for a time as assistant engi-
neer under Hugh Lee, chief engineer on the Syracuse & Auburn R. R., and during the
summer of 1845 he and Theodore Andrews (brother of Judge Andrews), assisted
Wheeler Truesdell in laying out some of the streets of the city of Syracuse ; also spent
one summer as assistant engineer under George Geddes in locating the Skaneateles R. R.
The stringency of the money matters at this time caused many of the public works to
suspend labor, leaving engineers out of business ; so he concluded to try another pro-
fession, and entered his name as) a law student in the office of Spooner & Leroy, at
Camillus, N. Y. After spending about a year in this office, he entered the office of
James R. Lawrence in the city of Syracuse ; he remained in this office until he received
an offer from D. Darwin Hughes, his brother-in-law of Marshall, Mich., to come into
his office as a partner. Starting for Michigan, on the way, he was taken with a hem-
orrhage from the lungs ; this misfortune changed the course of his life-work. His
physician told him he could never stand office business, but out-door business, as riding
over the country, would be the best work for him, and recommended medicine as his
best profession. He unhesitatingly entered his name as a student of medicine and in
the spring of 1850 graduated at the Geneva, N. Y., Medical College, having previously
spent two courses at the Pittsfield, Mass., Medical College. During his studentage of
medicine, he was principal of the South Butler Union School, one long term, and of the
Hannibal Union School three terms. In August, 1850, he settled at Victory, N. Y., to
practice his profession and remained at this place two years, then came to South Butler,
and purchased the home and practice of Clarendon Campbell, one of his former precept-
ors, and has continuously practiced his profession in this same place to the present time.
In 1862, having investigated the homeopathic system of cure, he took a second gradua-
tion from the New York Homeopathic College and since that time has practiced that
system of cure. He was one of the founders of the Wayne County Homeopathic
Medical Society, and for several years has been its president. He is also a member of
the State Homeopathic Medical Society, and of the Central New York Homeopathic
Medical Society. During the Rebellion he rendered efficient service in aiding to secure
volunteers, and in caring for the families of those gone to the war, and in treating the
wounded who were sent home, and in securing pensions for widows who had lost their
husbands, or sons in the war; also be gave his only son, who was old enough to bear
arms to his country's cause. The boy returned after the close of the war, although he
had once been shot in his lung, which shot he now carries. This boy is Volney H.
Sweeting, of Lyons. The doctor has been twice married. His first wife was Sally T.
Hughes, daughter of Capt. Henry Hughes, of Camillus, N. Y. She gave him one son,
Volney H. She died of consumption at Camillus, August 28, 1844. His second wife
is Colan Clapp, daughter of Israel J. Clapp, of Butler, N. Y., whom he married
November 4, 1849, and who is now living, a blessing to her husband and two
sons, Dr. W. H. Sweeting, of Savannah, N. Y., and Sherman C. Sweeting, of Wyom-
ing, N. Y., both of whom are married and settled in business; and two daughters,
Mary A., and Grace G., neither of whom are married, but the memory of Charlie must
not be omitted. After he entered the classical course in Cornell University, in 1879 he
FAMILY SKETCHES. 155
received the appointment of naval cadet at Annapolis, Md., and in 1883 graduated with
honor, was made ensign in 1885 and died January 25, 1890 from the effects of a sun-
stroke received while stationed at Honolulu. Charles Edward Sweeting will long be
remembered as a boy and a man, of uncommon gifts, by all who knew him. The doc-
tor prides himself that he gave all his children, both boys and girls a college education,
excepting Volney H., who took his college course on the battlefields of the Eebellion,
leaving school to answer his country's call. In religion the doctor is a radical Disciple,
and in politics an enthusiastic Republican. The only public offices he ever held was
school commissioner about five years, and assistant revenue assessor about two years.
Pearsall, G-. A., was born in Williamson, N. Y., August 11, 1854, and is the son of
J. D. and Hannah Brown Pearsall, he a native of Saratoga, and she a native of Had-
denfield, N. J. J. D. was the son of George Pearsall, of Saratoga connty, and came to
"Williamson about 1839, and here died in a few years. J. D. Pearsall was a farmer and
also a produce dealer from 1876 to 1888. His death occurred February 2, 1890, and
his wife still resides on the old homestead. Our subject was educated in Sodus and
Marion academies, and taught for four years, and in 1880 engaged in the produce busi-
ness. In 1880 he married Martha, daughter of Samuel Yaughn of Dickson, Pa., and
they have two children, Howard and Samuel.
Holling, Andrew, was born in Williamson August 11, 1813, a son of William and
Sarah (Clark) Holling. He came to America in 1800, first settling in Geneva, but soon
came to Williamson and settled. Of the family all are now deceased but one son and
two daughters. The mother of Andrew died, 1823 (May 2), and his father married,
second, Mrs. Stearns, wdo died in 1873. William Holling died in 1866, aged eighty-
eight years. Andrew Holling commenced his business career as a sailor and followed
that occupation twenty years, and is known as Captain Holling, He then engaged in
the lumber and planing business at Pultneyville. Has also been engaged in farming
and fruit growing. About 1882 he retired from active business, and his death occurred
September 13, 1894. In 1840 he married Rachel B., daughter of Samuel and Ruth
(Selby) Troop, natives of Connecticut. He came with his parents to Port Gibson,
thence to Pultneyville, he being the first settler there. The parents of Samuel were
Benjamin and Rachael (Brown) Throop. Samuel Throop kept the first hotel at Pult-
neyville. He went sailing as captain and was drowned in Sodus Bay. Mr. and Mrs.
Holling have had these children : Armine, Franklin, Lilly and Julia are deceased ; Ruth
Ann was the wife of E. Lawrence of Sodus, after whose death she married Samuel
Owen of Rochester, also deceased ; Sarah Jane is the wife of George D. Phelps of
Chicago. James Holling is captain of a barge. Mary F. Holling lives in the old home
with the mother. They attend and support the M. E. church.
Heit, Philip, was born in the town of Galen January 7, 1839. His father, Michael,
was a native of Alsace, Germany, and served under Napoleon Bonaparte three years.
He emigrated to the United States in 1825 and was among the first colony in Lyons.
He died in 1875, aged eighty years. Philip was educated in the common schools, to
which he has added through life by reading and close observation. At the age of
twenty-nine he married Charlotte, daughter of Peter Walheiser, and they have three
children : William E., Jessie E., and Yada. In 1881 he purchased of his brother,
George, the John Terry and the Stevenson farm of 275 acres, raising fruit, hay, grain,
and stock. Our subject is one of the largest farmers in his town, taking an active in-
terest in educational and religious matters.
Blaker, Thomas R., of Macedon, was in Brighton, Monroe county, January 28, 1840,
son of Patrocles Blaker, who was a native of Pennsylvania. The latter came to New
York State in 1818, the date of his birth being 1800. He settled ^Rochester and worked
at his trade, masonry, for two years, then bought a place in Henrietta, Monroe county,
which farm he worked for two years, then sold and moved to Brighton, where he died
156 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
in 1886, aged eighty-six years. He married Mariah Carter, of New Jersey, by whom
he had ten children, six now living. Thomas R. Blaker has always followed farming.
He married, in 1863, Eliza J. Hagaman, and they have four children, three now living :
Charles D., Lizzie, and Mahlon H. A daughter, Lillie, died in infancy. Charles D. is
married and lives in Minnesota. He is a Baptist minister. Our subject is a member of
the A. 0. U. W., the Grange, and Mrs. Blaker is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Furlong, Perry B., was born in the town of Galen, October 2, 1813. His father,
John, came to Wayne county in the spring of 1812, purchased a farm, and built a log
house in the woods. He died in 1859, aged seventy-nine years. Perry B. laid the
foundation of his education in the log school house of his district. In 1836 he married
Charlotte T.. daughter of Jacob Raymer, who died in the spring of 1875, and in the fall
of the same year he married Nancy, daughter of Wdliam Collins, and they have one
son, Austin. Our subject is one of the representative farmers of his town, taking an
intelligent interest in educational and religious matters.
Teats, John H, was born in Dutchess county, April 18, 1832, and is the youngest of
the four children of Henry J. and Eliza M. (Fellows) Teats. Both were descended
from German parentage, the ancestors coming from Germany in the early days, and
the old homestead being in the family for 140 years. Henry Teats was one of the
prominent men of Lafayetteville, Dutchess county, where he died in 1848. Our sub-
ject was reared to the milling business, but went to New York city when eighteen
years of age and was employed at the St. Nicholas Hotel for some years and was also
in business for himself for a number of years. He came to Williamson in 1859 and
has since resided on the farm of eighty acres which he owns, and carries on fruit farm-
ing, having thirty five acres of berries, twenty-five of peaches, four of currants, eight
of plums, and fourteen of apples. Mr. Teats is a Republican and was custom house
officer for two years ; also inspector of elections and town collector. He is a member
of the John D. Willard Lodge, No. 250, F. & A. M., and a member of the A. 0. U. W.
and the Williamson Grange. In 1860 he married Bertha B., daughter of Hamilton and
Rebecca (Brown) Cooper of Williamson, her family being relatives of Peter Cooper and
of James Fenimore Cooper and descended from Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper. They
have four children : Fred H., who married Mary Berry of Chicago and resides in Roch-
ester ; Sylvester, who married Flora Clock and resides in Ontario and has two children ;
J. Percival at home; and Raymond at home. Mr. Teats enlisted in Co. E, 111th N. Y.
Volunteer Infantry, and served three years, and was in the battles of Gettysburg, Cold
Harbor, Wilderness, and Petersburg.
Plate er, Solomon, was born in Columbia county, N. Y., March 31, 1831. His father,
John Platner, came to Clyde in 1832 and located on a farm near Clyde in 1850, where
he died m 1863. His wife, Elizabeth, died December 4, 1882, leaving eight children
living of a family of twelve. At fourteen years of age Solomon began life with a clerk-
ship in a grocery at Clyde, then was for several years in post office and general store,
and in 1847 began business under his own name in Clyde. In 185- he married Maria
L., daughter of Millard Olmstead of Savannah, who became the mother of five children,
three survive her: Nathaniel O., Francis E. and Alice M. Nathaniel is now in Ne-
braska a dealer in grain and produce. Frances E. is the wife of William H. Proudfit of
Denver, Col., who is a real estate dealer and commission merchant, and Alice M., the
wife of R. D. Curtis of Marion, Wayne county, who is editor and proprietor of the
Marion Enterprise. Maria L. Platner died in 1872; she was widely known for her
Christian character and benevolence. Mr. Platner married second, in 1874, Margaret
Elizabeth, daughter of the late James Proudfit of Seneca Falls, N. Y., who some years
ago was one of its most enterprising citizens ; their home is in the southwestern portion
of Savannah on a farm of 130 acres ; is a Democrat in politics.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 157
Everhart, W. H., born in Galen, October 27, 1840. His fathec, Samuel Everhart, a
well known and highly respected resident of Galen, is now ninety-two years of age,
and his paternal ancestors were all celebrated for their longevity. W. H. Everhart,
who made farming his principal business, first followed that occupation in Walworth,
having only recently become a citizen of Butler. December 25, 1867, he married Eliz-
abeth, daughter of Hugh Ross, late of Galen. The r daughter, Alma J., born February
3, 1873, married in 1894, William T. Pethic, an expert machinist and electrician of On-
tario ; and their son, Hugh R. Everhart, born September 1, 1876. follows farming.
Pallister, Harley C, was born on the Pallister homestead in Williamson October 9,
1856. He is a son of William Pallister, who came from England to America in 1827
and settled on the farm now owned by our subject, where he lived and died. His wife
was Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Church, of Williamson, and they had two sons and
one daughter, all deceased but our subject. Mr. Pallister was an active anti-slavery
advocate, and was for a while road commissioner of Williamson. He died in 1879, and
his wife in 1892. Harley C. was educated in Sodus Academy. He commenced busi-
ness on the homestead farm, and has always resided there. He married in January,
1892, Julia, daughter of William and Emma Pugsley, of Williamson. Mr. Pallister has
a farm of sixty acres and is engaged in general farming and fruit growing, also evaporat-
ing fruit. He sells harvesting machinery, farming implements, fertilizers and evaporat-
ing and dairy fixtures. They attend and support the M. E. Church.
Fuller, Roswell D., was born in Walworth July 19, 1849, son of Wells B. and Lu-
cinda (Foskett) Fuller, he a native of Grand Isle, Vt., born April 15, 1815, and she of
Walworth, born October 12, 1818. The paternal grandfather of subject came to Penn-
ington when a young man, and in 1842 came to Walworth and purchased a farm of
seventy- eight acres, a part of which is owned by our subject, where he died. He was
educated in Lima Seminary and followed teaching several years, He was a butcher
and stock dealer for a number of years, and was also justice of the peace. He died
April 3, 1894, and his wife March 3, 1885. Subject was reared on a farm and educated
in Walworth and Macedon Academies. He engaged in farming, owns .103 acres, and
makes a specialty of raising potatoes. He is now serving as assessor of the town.
November 29, 1881, he married Elizabeth C. Frey, a native of Penfield and daughter of
Michael and Caroline (Westerman) Frey, he a native of Oneida county, born August
25, 1834, and she born in 1838. Mrs. Frey died April 20, 1875.
Allen, Wells A., was born in Fulton, N. Y., April 26, 1844. He married January 16,
1859, F. Minerva, daughter of Elias Cady, of Granby, Oswego county. Mr. Allen
operates a farm of 200 acres in Savannah, and has for sixteen years dealt largely in leaf
tobacco for New York houses. They have but one child living, Bert J., born July 5,
1862, two other sons, Frank and Oscar, being deceased. Bert J. married November 14,
1884, Flora, daughter of Alex Hosier, of Baldwinsviile. Allen and son have recently
purchased of E. B. Male, the Casey house in Railroad street, Savannah, and opened it
to the public in April, 1894, as a restaurant and billiard parlor.
Bates, C. A., was born at Jordan, June 27, 1849, a son of Daniel 0. Bates, who died in
1885. The latter married Lydia M., daughter of Samuel Tucker of New Jersey, who
died two years after her husband, leaving fourteen children, ten now living. One of
the daughters is the wife of John B. Laird, of Savannah. C. A. Bates learned the ma-
chinist's trade at Clyde, but farming being more to his taste, he bought, in 1880, a farm
of seventy-five acres, two miles north of the village. May 15, 1873, he married Ellen,
daughter of Charles A. Reed, of Bridgeport, Conn., and they have four children Charles
F., born May 4, 1877; Minnie L., born September 13, 1879; Cynthia E., born August
23, 1881 ; Russell, who died in infancy, in 1882 ; and Howard, born July 27, 1886. Mr.
Bates is a prominent Prohibitionist, and has served as school trustee for a long time.
He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church.
158 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Cotton, Jerome, is a son of David Cotton, who settled at Eastern Savannah in a very
early day, and reclaimed fifty acres of the wilderness. His wife was Susan Burch, and
of their eleven children, five are now living: Abbie, wife of Thomas Wenform, of
Butler; Sarah, wife of Henry Walker, of Savannah; Jerome; Mary, wife of L. D.
Reamer, of Savannah ; and Lucy, wife of Willoughby Prettie, of Conquest, Cayuga
county. Jerome was born in 1836, and passed his early life in and near Savannah.
At the age of twenty he bought fifty acres of land and now owns 175 acres about the
old homestead, three miles northeast of the village. November 13, 1862, he married
Julia Dean of Savannah, and their children are: Etta, born in 1863 ; Burdette, born in
1865 ; William E., born in 1S67 ; David Or., born in 1870 ; Lucy O, born in 1872 ;
Merton, born in 1876; Mertie, born in 1877; and Blanche, born in 1879. Etta is the
wife of Henry Devoe, of Montezuma ; Burdette married Clara Decker of Butler and
lives at Dewitt, N. Y.; and Lucy is the wife of John Hillebrand, of Savannah.
Cotten, D. J., of Savannah, was born here July 16, 1858, the son of Ephraim and
Sally (Jane) Harrington Cotten, whose parents were pioneers of this county. Delos J.
received his education at Adrian College, Mich., graduating as B. S. in 1888. During
the year succeeding his graduation he filled the position of financial secretary for his
alma mater. In 1884 he returned to Savannah, the home of his boyhood. December
24, 1884, he married Anna E. Dunham, who was born in 1857, and who is the mother
of two children: Eva, born September 30, 1888, and a son, born August 24, 1893. Mr.
Cotten's parents died when he was twelve years of age. He is a prime mover in the
Prohibition movement in Savannah, serving in 1893 as chairman of the Prohibition
Committee. He has been excise commissioner three years, and is a leader in Sunday
school work in the M. E. Church. In April, 1884, in partnership with C. W. Water-
man, he opened a dry goods store in this village, but the fire of 1885 terminated that
partnership, after which he conducted the business alone until March 1, 1891, when he
associated with him Bertram Clark, which firm still continues. To the energy and
public spirit of Mr. Cotten Savannah is largely indebted for the fine Union School
building erected in 1892.
Coleman, C. A., junior member of the firm of Bullock & Coleman, merchant millers
at South Butler, was born at Victory, Cayuga county, July 9, 1870. He is the son
of S. A. and Marian (Crossman) Coleman, and one of a family of six children, none
of whom are residents of Wayne county except himself. He was educated at Red
Creek and at Cook Academy. Havana, N. Y., where he pursued a special course in sci-
ence, adapting him well for the mechanical exigencies of the milling business, in which
he is now engaged. He married February 22, 1892, Myrta A., daughter of E. H., and
Clara Horton of Wolcott.
Calkins, William M., was born in Butler in 1829. His parents, John, and Phoebe C.
Calkins, were pioneers of their locality. They reared a family of eight chiidren, of
whom but two beside our subject are now living: Martin now at West Butler, and Em-
eline at South Butler. William long before the attainment of his majority had grap-
pled with the stern realities of life, and until about 1863 was engaged in boating, since
which time farming has claimed his whole attention. He married March 26, 1853,
Hannah, daughter of Delos and Hannah Sampson of Salem, Mass., neither of whom
is now living. Mr. Sampson died March 4, 1870, and his wife April 25, 1891. Will-
iam and Hannah Calkins have seven children : Martin, born May 21, 1856 ; Mary J.,
born October 15, 1858, died June 4, 1863 ; Rhoda E., born February 9, 1861 ; H.
Eugene, born October 28, 1863 ; William E., born March 12, 1866; Addison, born Oc-
tober 1, 1869; J. Ensign, born August 1, 1871; C. Albert born November 5, 1874.
This family have in their possession an ancient trunk dating from about 1790, studded
with brass nails, forming the initials " E. P. " for Ebenezer Pierce, the grandfather of
Mrs. Calkins, then a resident of Salem, Mass. Mrs. Calkins's father served in the War
of 1812.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 159
Campbell, Rev. Grove E., was born August 13, 1862, a son of Henry and Samantha
(Walker) Campbell, residents of Yates county, where Grove was born. The latter was
educated at Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, from which he graduated at the age of
twenty-four. October 13, 1888, he was admitted upon probation to the Central New
York M. E. Conference, entering into full connection October 11, 1890, receiving ordin-
ation at the hands of Bishop Ninde. His first pastorate was at Sodus Point, where he
remained four years. October 27, 1885, he married Ida L., daughter of Peter and Jane
Pulver, of Yates county. Her father was born in Otsego in 1818, and died September
14, 1875. Mrs. Pulver was born in Scotland in 1820, and is still living in the old home
in Italy, N. Y. Mrs. Campbell is a graduate of Genesee Wesleyan Musical Institute,
and is recognized as a musician (both vocal and instrumental) of rare ability. They
have one daughter, Ruth, born September 13, 1893. Mr, Campbell assumed the pastor-
ate of the M. E. Church at Savannah in 1893, and evinces rare and magnetic qualities
in his chosen calling, having already augmented his church membership by fifty souls.
Clark, Byron G., of Savannah, was born October 19, 1835, at Whitehall, N. Y., a son
of Garrett Clark, who came to Rose in 1836, where he was for many years a successful
teacher and also town superintendent of schools. His wife was Electa, daughter of
Benjamin Seely, of Rose. He died at West Butler in 1844. Byron was the only son,
but had four sisters, of whom two are now living, in Iowa. His school days were
passed at Watkins, where he later learned the iron molder's trade and he was clerk in a
general store at Wolcott, three years. In 1856 he came to Savannah, and married,
January 1, 1858, Tryphena Hogan, of Savannah. Mr. Clark is a Republican, and has
served as commissioner of loans six years. He is now traveling for E. W. Gillett, of
Chicago. His children are : Mary Belle, born January 14, 1860, died July 14, of the
same year ; Melburn, born September 26, 1862, who spent several years as a traveling
salesman in New England, and is now a resident of this town ; and Bertram G., born
July 1, 1868. At the age of fifteen the latter entered the employ of A. J. Conroe and
was six years in the store of Smith Brothers, and one year with D. J. Cotton. In 1891
he entered into a partnership with the latter, the firm being Cotton & Clark, and is
recognized as a man of ability and integrity. He is a Republican, and has served as
collector two years. He is a Mason, and a member of the K. S. F. & I. February 15,
1893, Bertram married Minnie, daughter of L. D. Reamer, of Savannah. For the past
six years Mrs. Clark has been organist of the M. E. Church, of which society both are
members.
Dunham, Jerry, is a man of sterling worth and integrity, occupying a handsome resi-
dence nearly adjacent to that of his brother Henry, and which has been his home for
thirty years. His wife is Pamelia, daughter of Jonathan Miles, of Bennington, Yates
county, who died July 21, 1850, and his wife Amelia March 10, 1837. Her marriage to
Jerry Dunham took place May 5, 1856, and their children were : Anna E., now the
wife of Delos Cotten, of Savannah ; John H., born July 17, 1870, and died when eight
years of age ; and Addie E., born February 26, 1875. She was educated at Adrian College,
Michigan, taking special course in music and languages. She was a member of the
Presbyterian church. Our subject who was born here, October 21, 1833, and who has
lived a consistent Christian life since twelve years of age, is a member of the Methodist
church, as is also his wife, who was born March 17, 1835, at Bennington, Yates county,
and who was prior to her marriage a successful teacher.
Ferris, O'Connell, was born in Savannah August 21, 1844. His parents, Joseph and
Lucretia Ferris, were among the earliest settlers in northern Savannah, and were peo-
ple of considerable prominence and highly esteemed, Joseph being for twelve years a
justice of the peace. Lucretia died in 1874 and Joseph in 1885, leaving five children :
Julia, now the wife of Vaughn Sweet, of Cayuga ; Sarah, wife of Aaron Hall, of
Savannah: Dolly, wife of John Davis, of Savannah; O'Connell, our subject, and Nel-
son, who married Ida Simmons, of Cayuga. O'Connell acquired a good common
160 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
school education, and at twenty-one years of age began operating a farm of 130 acres
in Savannah, giving his whole attention to that business, of which he has made an en-
tire success, pointing with pardonable pride to handsome and commodious barns erected
in 1891. His wife is Lucy, daughter of Frederick Patrick of Marcellus, Mich. They
were married December 23, 1871, and have four children living: Lulu, born June 6,
1874, died October 9, 1883 ; Grace, born July 25, 1877; Eva, born August 3 , 1879;
Floyd, born December 17, 1884 ; and Flossy, born July 2, 1891.
Ingersoll, Mrs. John, was born in Savannah in 1848, daughter of John and Maria
Spore, the former of whom died April 8, 1886, and the latter October 9, 1880. She
married, March 18, 1869, John, son of George and Polly Ingersoll, of Savannah, and
had two children: John LeG., born July 18, 1872, who died when one year of age;
and Hattie E., born October 3, 1873. John Ingersoll was a Republican, who served
nine years as commissioner of highways. He died April 9, 1893, mourned by a large
circle of friends.
Monroe, Mrs. Allida, was born in Savannah March 10, 1851, daughter of Alonzo and
Charity Dean. She married, June 11, 1873, Willis M. Monroe, who was born in Sa-
vannah December 12, 1847. He acquired a good education by his own efforts, and for
some years varied the monotony of farm life by teaching school winters. In Decem-
ber, 1891, he entered the employ of the N.Y.C. railroad as trainman, running between
Syracuse and Buffalo. He suffered a slight injury in June, 1892, but resumed his em-
ployment in September. November 14, 1893, he met a tragic death while in the per-
formance of his duty at Lyons, N. Y., being found in an unconscious condition beside
his train with a bullet hole in his temple and never regained censciousness before his
death, the next evening. It was supposed that he was attacked by tramps and shot
while resisting their assault, but at this writing the identity of his murderer has not
been established. The press of his native town speak of him as a kind husband and
father, and a noble citizen. A loving wife and three children survive him, and have
the sympathy of the entire community. The children so tragically orphaned are :
Edna, born October 11, 1878; Leslie V., and Lena V., born December 14, 1835.
Magraw, George R., was born at Clyde May 6, 1856. His parents were Hezekiah
and Mary Magraw, the latter of whom died in 1864 and the former lives in New York.
They had three children: Frank, George, and Ruez. George has been engaged in boat-
ing since seventeen years of age, now operating two boats transporting grain from
Buffalo to New York, besides a farm of sixty acres lying three miles south of Savannah.
He married, March 30, 1880, Emily, daughter of Jacob Helm, of Savannah, and they
have two daughters: Maud, born January 15, 1883; and Florence, born October
10, 1885.
Merriman, H. E., was born at his present home, four miles northeast of Savannah, a
son of Elisha (died in 1877), and Maria, daughter of Henry Winegar of Savannah,
whose children were : George, born February 10, 1847 ; and Henry E., born April 22,
1849. George conducts a banking business in Hartford, Mich. Henry has always fol-
lowed farming. By his first wife he had these children : Frank, born January 30,
1876, died December 9, 1893 ; Fred G., born September 4, 1877 ; George Q. and Henry
Q.. twins born February 7, 1885. George Q., deceased. Mrs. Merriman died March 2,
1885, aged thirty-two years. Mr. Merriman married second, February 12, 1889, Ella
Pinckney, of Victor, Oswego county.
Mesner, John, of Savannah, is the son of Joseph and Fredericka Mesner of Wurtem-
burg, Germany, where he was born February 27, 1S34. At the age of eighteen he
emigrated to America, coming directly to Clyde, where he learned the trade of baker,
at which he worked three years. October 12, 1865, he married Caroline Bergter, of
Savannah, and settled on his present farm, a mile west of the village. His children are
FAMILY SKETCHES. KM
as follows : Lilly, born July 27, I860, wife of W. P. Rector, of this place, by whom he
has two sons, William P., born September 7, 1878, and Charles F., born February 7,
1880, both living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Mesner are members of the Lutheran
Church.
Merritt, Gordon, was born April 6, 1826, and at the age of ten he came from New
Jersey with his parents, William and Elizabeth Merritt. They engaged in farming in
South Butler, where William died in 1884, at the age of eighty-four. William and
Elizabeth had twelve children, of whom none survive but our subject, and one sister,
Rachel, widow of J. H. McCoon, late of Butler. Gordon acquired a good education at
the common schools, and at the age of twenty-one he bought thirty acres of land in
Savannah, and in 1877 moved to his present location, a farm of 130 acres, three miles
north of the village. March 22, 1849, he married Nancy, daughter of Reuben Conant,
of Savannah, by whom he had two children : William, born June 22, 1850 ; and Ernest
G., born August 24, 1873. William married July 1, 1868, Annie Burgduff, of Butler.
Ernest graduated in 1892 from Cornell University, with the degree of B. S., and now
occupies a position in Hoosick Falls High School, as professor of languages.
Male, Edwin B., was born in County Kent, in 1848. His parents, Samuel and Har-
riet Male, came to America when Edwin was five years of age. Of a family of fourteen
children he is the only representative now living in Wayne county. Until 1886 he was
engaged chiefly in farming in the western portion of the town, and in that year he pur-
chased the Casey House on Railroad street, Savannah, and has since conducted it as a
restaurant and billiard parlor. March 1, 1877, he married Julia E. Burch of Lyons, and
they have six daughters: Harriet E., born March 12, 1878; Keene B., born March 29,
1879; Grace G., born March 31, 1880; Carrie H., born November 30, 1881; Frances
J., born January 30, 1883 ; and Ruth E., born January 7, 1892. Mr. Male is a man of
good business ability, and of great personal popularity among all classes of people. Both
he and his family are held in high esteem here, are members of the Episcopal church, and
at the present he has just entered upon his duties as postmaster, succeeding Horace W.
Smith in that office, his appointment dating from April 1, 1894.
Newton, H. E., is the son of John and Rachael (Ward) Newton, of Otsego county,
one of six children, he and one sister being the only survivors. He was born May 29,
1835, and at the age of four years came to Madison county with his parents. He was
left an orphan in early youth, his father dying in 1850. He learned the trade of cooper,
besides which he kept a general store at Bridgeport, Madison county, until 1867, when
he sold out, and after a year spent in bookkeeping at Manlius Center, he came to Sa-
vannah in 1870. Immediately subsequent to the fire of 1885, which laid so great a part
of Savannah in ruins, he built the present hotel bearing his name, and opened it to the
public in May, 1886. The Newton House is a commodious, modern hotel, and is
patronized largely by commercial travelers. April 28, 1890, Mr. Newton married Rena,
daughter of John Thompson, of Savannah.
Olmstead, H. M., was born on the farm which is now his home, on Crusoe Island,
October 10, 1848. His father, J. M. Olmstead, was also born in Savannah in 1823, and
now lives at Seneca Falls, his wife, Angelique, having died in 1850. Herbert is their
only child, and his present home was also the home of his grandfather, Millard Olmstead,
a pioneer. Robert married, December 12, 1877, Isadore, daughter of the late Ralph
Van Dyke. She was born and reared in Savannah. She has two sons : Arthur H„
born March 13, 1881, and Edwin R., born January 12, 1884. Mr. Olmstead is much
esteemed in Savannah. He is a Republican and has served as assessor. He is a charter
member of the A.O.U.W. Lodge at Savannah.
Pomeroy, E. P., was born August 17, 1839, at Elbridge the son of Lemuel S. and
Mary Ann (Elder) Pomeroy. Leonard S. was born at Otisco February 1, 1812, and
162 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
became a graduate of Hamilton College and of the Auburn Theological Seminary, but
owing to ill-health was forced to give up the idea of a pastorate. He later, however,
became principal of Munroe Collegiate Institute, and in 1871 besran an eight-year pas-
torate of the Presbyterian church at Savannah, where he died February 19, 1879. He
married, May 23, 1837, Mary Ann Elder, who died July 18, 1852. E. P. Pomeroy was
educated at Onondaga Academy, and married, January 14, 1866, Jennie E. De Golia, of
Otisco. After conducting a general store at Pompey Hill for several years he came to
Savannah in 1879, where he was a teacher in the village school for two years, and then
adopted his present vocation of traveling salesman. Air. Pomeroy is very unassuming,
but a gentleman of wide and varied attainments, and highly esteemed by all who know
him.
Roberts, Cyrus, of Savannah, was born in Tyre May 4, 1813. His father, Bethial
Roberts, was a pioneer in that locality, practicing surveying and also teaching school.
Cyrus studied medicine at Geneva and has practiced to some extent, but has been
chiefly engaged in farming. In 1838 he married Sally, daughter of John Beach, of
Tyre, and who died in 1850, leaving three children, one of whom is living in New York
city. In 1852 he again married, Mary A. Tillow, of Savannah, and they have had one
child, Willis Roberts, born in 1866. Dr. Roberts sustained a paralytic shock in 1893,
and is in a feeble condition.
Stevens, Elford, one of the representative business men of Savannah, was born in
Jefferson county, November 4, 1851, a sou of Benoni P. and Olive (Jenks) Stevens,
now of Butler Center, who settled in this county in 1865. Benoni Stevens is now pastor
of the Adventist Church at South Butler. Elford received his education at Wolcott
High School, and his first independent business venture was the establishment of an
evaporator for fruit at Savannah, in 1889, which has become an important industry, and
he is also a partner in business with Charles Wood. December 4, 1877, Mr. Stevens
married Carrie, daughter of Horace B. and Lydia (Wilcox) Chapin, of Worthville, Jef-
ferson county, and their children are: May L., born November 11, 1878; Burk P.,
born November 28, 1881, died September 2, 1884; Grace E., born August 8, 1888, died
in infancy ; and Ray 0., born August 11, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are members of
the Second Adventist Church of South Butler. Mr. Stevens served as trustee in 1893.
Severance, Smith, son of J. H, and Emma Severance, was born at Savannah, No-
vember 3, 1871. His father came from Junius, Seneca county in 1860. His mother is
a daughter of Smith and Phoebe D. Williams of Savannah. They married December
16, 1869 and have two children, a daughter, Myrtie, born March 18, 1874. Smith
Severance is at present a traveling salesman for a proprietary medicine. His genial
manners and sunny temperament, with excellent business abilities, have made for him
a wide circle of friends.
Spoor, Abijah, of Savannah, the son of John and Marian (Beebe) Spoor, of Albany
county, was born September 3, 1827, and in early manhood he settled on a farm two
miles north of Savannah (1848), having at the time no capital whatever. He has, however,
by untiring industry and frugality, added to his original purchase twenty-five acres,
until his possessions now embrace 150 acres of excellent tillable land. In 1857 he married
Caroline Van Nortwick, of Butler, and they have five children ; Harriet, wife of John
H, Bixby ; Adelbert R, William Ellsworth, Frank L. and Emma.
Swift, Rev. Philip, Savannah, was born July 9, 1830, in Herkimer county. His
parents, Philip and Fanny (Russ) Swift of Connecticut, reared a family of eleven chil-
dren, of whom Philip is the only living representative now in Wayne. He was edu-
cated chiefly at a select school in Little Falls, Herkimer county, receiving in 1862 an
exhorter's license from the Methodist Protestant Conference, and assuming the duties
of his first pastorate at North Wolcott, Wayne county, in 1863. He married September
FAMILY SKETCHES. 163
10, 1851, Martha, daughter of Peter and Clarissa (Dewey) Rankin, and they had one
son, Harvey L., who died October 11, 1859. Mr. Swift's last pastoral charge was at
Conquest, Cayuga county, where in the summer of 1892, he was disabled by a partial
sunstroke which has, unfortunately, affected his vocal organs so much as to necessitate
for a time abandonment of public speaking, and this enforced retirement from his
chosen field of labor is being spent at his pleasant home in Savannah.
Sedore, Ira B., Savannah, was born here October 5, 1825. His father, Conrad
Sedore, born in Rensselaer county in 1801, came to Wayne in 1823 and settled on a
farm near Savannah. He was a man of marked force of character, a life-long and
steadfast Republican, serving as inspector of schools and commissioner of gospel and
school funds. He married, in 1824, Harriet Hall, of Massachusetts, and they had seven
children, of whom, besides Ira, only two are now living. In his early manhood Ira
conducted the farm in Wolcott, and married, February 11, 1852, Ruth A. Cay wood, of
Savannah. Mr. Sedore is practically a self-educated man, and had the resolution and
perseverance to fit himself for the ministry, joining the Onondaga County Methodist
Protestant Conference in 1857, and becoming a fully ordained exhorter in 1862. At
the present writing, while occupying no specific field of labor, he still holds the super-
numerary relation to his church, always in readiness for the call of duty.
Spoore, John L., Savannah. John and Maria (Beebe) Spoore, of Albany county,
came into the county of Wayne in 1837/and settled upon a farm near South Butler,
living the quiet and uneventful' lives inseparable from that pursuit until the death of
Mrs. Spoore in 1879, and of John the elder in 1884, at the age of eighty-three years.
Subject of sketch was born October 5, 1823, in Albany county, was chiefly engaged in
farming, and married January 1, 1852, Mary E. Shotwell. of Port Byron, daughter of
Joseph and Sarah Shotwell. They had one daughter, G-race L., born in Savannah July
6, 1856. She married December 29, 1875, George P. Waggoner, of Meridian, Cayuga
county, and died May 28, 1889, leaving three children, one of whom is adopted by its
grandparents, a ray of sunshine to their otherwise lonely home. Mr. Spoore is at pres-
ent overseer of the poor, an office practically forced upon him as he is a life-long Repub-
lican in politics and possesses a large degree of the esteem of his townsmen. He is a
dealer to some extent in agricultural implements, making a specialty of plows. In his
house the writer was shown some objects of great antiquarian interest, among them
spoons dating back 200 years marked " Marie Le Orange," who was the great-aunt of
Mr. Spoore, and a massive iron-bound chest, in which, during the Revolution, money
and plate were stored, and the chest buried in a secluded place, secure from British
depredation. The theatre of this dramatic episode was at the foot of the Helderbergs
in Albany county.
Taylor, the late Henry, was one of the earliest settlers of Savannah, and was born in
Wheeling, Va., January 8, 1801. His mother, a widow, moved to New York State in
1803, settling first in Seneca county. At the age of eleven years Henry started out
for himself, and settled on Crusoe Island, now the town of Savannah, his mother hav-
ing married previous to this, her second husband. He worked on a farm in the southern
part of the town for several years, attending school winters and working for his board.
About 1822 he bought a tract of land where the village now stands, then an almost un-
broken wilderness. In 1825 he married Ardilla De Mott, and they began housekeeping
in the little log cabin where the Hamilton block now stands. He also engaged largely
in hunting and trapping, during the spring and fall months, having made as high as
$500 as the proceeds of one season, Auburn at that time being the nearest market. He
was an expert with the canoe, excelling all other trappers, and during his pioneer life
he had many a thrilling encounter with wild animals of the forests. He died at
Savannah December 2, 1893, aged ninety-three years, mourned by all classes to whom
his figure was a familiar one. He built the first frame house in Savannah, having at
164 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
one time been sole owner of one square mile here. No one man in all Savannah could
with more truth be called a ''landmark" than Mr. Taylor. His wife, Ardilla De
Mott, died in 1876. Their children were: Frank, Fidelia, Jacob H., Lawton, Charles,
David, William, George and Jennie, wife of Mr. Phelps, of Savannah.
Vought N. C, of Savannah, was born at Wolcott in 1835, a son of N. C. and Mary
(Lent) Vought, originally from Peekskill. The elder Vought settled on a farm in Wol-
cott, Wayne county in 1825. In 1849 he followed the trail of the Argonauts as far as
Wisconsin, where he remained till his death in 1850. The subject of our sketch is one
of a family of twelve children, every one of whom lived to maturity, a fact of more
than ordinary interest, as indicative of the simple and vigorous lives of our ancestors.
The mother of this remarkable group died in 1840, when our subject was but five years
old. About 1853 he became master of a trade, that of carpenter and joiner, and later
(at one time in partnership with Horace Wadsworth) a builder, and there is no reason
to doubt that he has built, personally, more houses and barns than any other one man
in Wayne. In 1860 he married Ancy Dratt, of South Butler, by whom he had these
children : Dora, born in 1862, and Edward born in 1864, died in 1865. Mr. Vought
again married in April, 1866, Mahala Palmer, daughter of William Palmer of Butler, a
most estimable lady. She and Mr. Vought are members of the M. E. Church.
Vanderpool, George, is the son of Stephen and Juda Vanderpool of Schodack, Rens-
selaer county, N. Y., where he was born August 24, 1814. George came to Savannah
in 1852, and since 1862 has occupied his present home on a farm four miles north of
the village. He has one brother, Stephen, living at Butler. October 27, 1838, he mar-
ried Hannah Green of Schodack, by whom he had seven children ; Mary A., born July
29, 1840, now the wife of William Link of Galen ; Gilbert, born September 2, 1843,
died April 30, 1870; James, born May 16, 1846, now a resident of Savannah; Phoebe
and Stephen, born March 11, 1849. Stephen lives at Wolcott, and Phoebe in Syra-
cuse, the wife of Augustus Daniels; and Adaline, born April 1, 1852, died December
20, 1860. Hannah Vanderpool died January 30, 1879, aged sixty-three years, and Mr.
Vanderpool married, second, March 4, 1880. Mrs. Eliza A. Smith of Clyde, the mother
by a former husband of William E. Ellis, the latter now a resident of Clyde. William
E. Ellis was one of the thirty-six officers and men who went out in the ill-fated Pro-
teus under Lieutenant Greeley in 1881. His scholarly note-books record in detail the in-
credible hardships they endured, until driven to insanity and cannibalism. His body
was recovered from Lady Franklin Bay, where he met so lonely and terrible a death in
1883, and is interred at Clyde, N. Y.
Wood, Alonzo D., an influential and prosperous farmer and business man, is the son
of Seth Wood, who died in 1847, greatly respected. The latter had been for eight
years justice of the peace, and died an incumbent of that office. His wife was Melinda,
daughter of John Dunham, by whom he had nine children, seven now living : James,
Seth, William, Laura, John, Julia, Alonzo, Helen and Gaylord. Alonzo was born May
18, 1838, was educated at Sodus Academy and Falley Seminary, beginning life for him-
self on a farm in Conquest, Cayuga county, December 30, 1866. He married Anna M.,
daughter of H. O. Baggerly, of Savannah, by whom he has two sons, Howard C, born
June 31. 1874 ; and Stanley D., born May 6, 1885. Mr. Wood was for some time en-
gaged in school teaching prior to his marrirge. He now conducts a large and product-
ive farm besides dealing in agricultural implements, machinery, etc. He a staunch
Republican, and has served as overseer of the poor, and justice for four years each.
In 1884-85 and 1886 he served on the Board of Supervisors.
Wilsey, Irving, is the only son of Eli Wilsey, who was born in Columbia, Cayuga
county December 5. 1830. Eli married Harriet, daughter of William H. Snyder, Sep-
tember 12, 1855, and in 1870 they came to Savannah, and purchased a farm of 100
acres, lying two miles northwest of the village. Eli's death occurred December 12,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 165
1893, and his widow, Harriet, remains upon the homestead farm, which is now operated
by her son. Irving was born November 3, 1870, and married November 26, 1891,
Augusta E., daughter of Edwin Tallman, of Savannah, and they have one daughter,
Lula, born October 20, 1892.
Williams, Albert, was born in Savannah August 5, 1848. His parents, Smith and
Phoebe Williams, were among the earliest settlers here. Smith died July 6, 1892, his
widow surviving him. Albert married November 15, 1876, Gertrude, daughter of
Thomas and Harriet Gerow, of Phelps, Ontario county, and they have four children:
Howard S., born August 7, 1877; Carl G., born December 25, 1878; George A., born
April 26, 1880, and Maud, born May 22, 1882. Mr. Williams operates 100 acres of
land, making a specialty of the breeding of Holstein cattle for dairy purposes.
Widrig, Russell, is the son of Michael Widrig, of Herkimer county, who removed to
Clyde in 1833, and died in 1849. His wife, Martha, reared a family of ten children, all
but one of whom are still living, the youngest one being past fifty years. Russell has
one sister in Wayne county, Mary, widow of the late Jedediah Carter, of Savannah.
Martha, wife of Michael Widrig, died in 1870, aged seventy -five years. Russell's
grandfather, George Widrig, born in Germany, came to America when ten years old,
acquiring a collegiate education in New York. He served as a private through the
Revolution, and a brigadier-general in the war of 1812, his son Michael, acting as aid-
de-camp to him. Russell, born at Frankfort, Herkimer county, November 25, 1822,
educated at Clyde High school, supplemented by reading and self-directed research, is
a man of much ability and force of character. He has served as commissioner of high-
ways several terms, besides other offices. December 25, 1853, he married Euretta
Woodward, who became the mother of Russell A., born December 11, 1854, died Feb-
ruary 22, 1863 ; Richard H., born November 13, 1860, died February 24, 1863, and
Martha M., born September 6, 1856, now the wife of John Anderson, of Savannah, and
mother of four children.
Wiley, C. C, was born August 29, 1850, in a log house upon the site of his present
home. His parents, C. B. and Nancy Wiley, came here in a canoe and settled amid the
wilderness. C. B. Wiley for many years engaged beside farming in the production and
sale of lumber. He died November 12, 1891, and his wife January 1, 1892. C. C.
Wiley was educated at Falley Seminary and married February 12, 1873, Kate, daugh-
ter of Charles Long, of Savannah. They are located on a farm of 110 acres, two miles
south of Savannah. Their children are : May, born December 27, 1874; Grace, born
April 3, 1876; Charles, born November 25, 1879, and LeRoy, born May 3, 1891.
Westcott, George H., born at Galen, May 18, 1850, and in 1859 his father, the late
Heman Westcott, came to the present homestead, three miles northeast of Savannah.
Heman Westcott was born in Ira, Cayuga county, April 28, 1812, coming to Butler in
1886, where he married Julia A., daughter of Philip Van Northwick, December 31,
1826. Julia was born in Columbia county in 1817, and she had eight children, of whom
but three survive : Harriet, Electa and George, the former married and residing in
Michigan. Heman Westcott was a successful and prosperous farmer, a kind father and
loving husband, and when he died March 14, 1894, Savannah mourned the loss of a
worthy pioneer and a good citizen. George H., the present representative of the house
of Westcott, was born May 18, 1850, and married December 23, 1871, Sarah L., daugh-
ter of Sylvester Secor, of Savannah, and is now eligibly situated upon a farm adjacent
to that owned by his late father. His wife, Sarah L., was born in Savannah Novem-
ber 20, 1847. She is the mother of six fine children : Lillian B., born November 20,
1871 ; Cora E., born May 17, 1874; Archibald B., born February 10, 1879; Charles A.,
born July 26, 1882 ; Howard, born August 4, 1885 ; Harrison, born March 4, 1889.
Mr. Westcott is a man of ability and enterprise, an uncompromising Republican,, and
beside farming does a large business in breeding fine horses, chiefly Percherons.
166 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Bilby, Joseph, born in New Jersey February 8, 1820, is the third son of eight
children of William and Mary (Sharpe) Bilby, natives of New Jersey, who came to
Marion in 1827 and here Mr. Bilby died in October, 1861, and his wife in 1863. He
was a blacksmith by trade. Our subject was reared a farmer until seventeen years
of age, learned the shoemaker's trade, and followed it in Marion most of his life. He
owns fourteen acres of land in Marion. He has been highway commissioner. He
married in August, 1853,' Mary M. Morgan, a native of Oswego county, and daughter
of Isaac and Mary Morgan, natives of England, who settled in Oswego county, but
died in Pultneyville.
Bilby, John H., born in New Jersey, November 28, 1817, was the second of six chil-
dren of William and Mary Bilby. Subject was reared a blacksmith, but in 18f>9 bought
the farm he owns of seventy-two and one-half acres, and has since followed farming.
He married, February 8, 1838, Cynthia Luce, a native of Palmyra, and daughter of
William Luce, of Long Island, who is descended from Israel Luce, of Wales, the latter's
son having came to America about 1676. William Luce came to Palmyra in 1796,
where he died in 1891. His wife was Lydia Goldsmith, who died in 1874. The father
of William was Benjamin Luce, who served through the Revoluionary War. Mr. and
Mrs. Bilby have had one daughter, Louisa M., wife of Henry C. Allen, and they have
one son, Elmer J. Allen, who married Carrie Pulver, who has one son, Wayne.
Boss, John, born in Williamson, N. Y., November 2, 1824, is the third son of Isaac
and Sarah (Dedie) Boss, natives of Holland and mentioned in biography of Cornelius
Boss. John Boss was reared on a farm and has always followed farming, except
one year in the grocery business in Marion. He now owns a portion of the Boss
homestead, and makes a specialty of fruit growing. He married in 1883 Lena Ver-
bridge, of Sodus.- She is the daughter of Peter and Lisa Verbridge, natives of Hol-
land who came to America in 1852 and settled in Pultneyville, where the mother
died in 1893, and Mr. Yerbndge now resides with Mr. Boss. Mr. and Mrs. Boss,
are members of the Reformed church, of Marion.
Bowen, Seth, was born in Tyre, Seneca county, March 15, 1824. His father,
Silas, was a native of New Jersey and came to Seneca county in 1810. He mar-
ried Sarah Lumm, who was of English descent. Seth Bowen laid the foundation
of his education in the l^g school house of his district". At the age of twenty-three
he married Caroline, daughter of Jediah Jenkins, and they have two children, Mrs.
Mary Cuyler and Frank Bowen. In 1871 he bought the Asaph Whittlesey property
of 160 acres, raising fruit, hay, grain and stock. Our subject is one of the leading
farmers in his town.
Bishop, Alvin, was born in Albany, N. Y,, January 22, 1863. His father, R°v. E.
Sherman Bishop, a clergyman of the New York M, E. Conference, alter a service of
thirty years has retired to his home at Milton, on the Hudson. Alvin Bishop was
educated in the schools of Fishkill, New York, and Hancock, N. Y., entering Union
College in 1881, took the classical course and graduated in 1885. In 1887-89 he was
appointed principal of Monticello Classical Institute ; then during 1889-91 was prin-
cipal of Woodstock, Vt., High School. In 1891 he came to Clyde as principal of the
Clyde High School, graduating in 1893 one of the largest classes in the history of the
school, having an average attendance of 475 to 500. At the age of twenty-two he married
Mary Louise, daughter of Horace Goodrich, of Schenectady.
Brockmyre, Chris., was born in Seneca Falls December 25, 1852 educated in the
Clyde High School, and at the age of twenty-five married Emma, daughter of Loami
Beadle, by whom he has five children : Christopher, Marvin, Clarence, Clifford and
Ethel. In 1855 he came to Wayne county with his stepfather, John Seigmund, who
purchased a farm. He died in 1884, and at the time of his death was one of the largest
FAMILY SKETCHES. 167
farmers in the town of Galen, having 290 acres of land and raising large quantities of
hay, grain and stock. He was sixty-two years of age when he died. Our subject in
1876 established the grocery on lock fifty-three which he now carries on, carrying a
large stock of general merchandise, hay and grain, and taking an intelligent interest in
school and religious institutions.
Burghduff, W. R., only son of Jesse Burghduff, was born where he now resides No-
vember 3, 1858. His father, now seventy-eight years of age, was also born here. His
grandfather, Jacob, born in. the city of Albany, was one of the earliest settlers in this
locality. William Burghduff's wife is Elizabeth, daughter of Addison Chapman of
Westbury, and their children are : Claude, born November 30, 1879, and Bula, born
February 9, 1882. Her father's family are also remarkable for longevity and at one
time, in 1884, there were represented at the Burghduff home four generations, Jacob,
Jesse, William and Claude Burghdoff, and Curtis, Addison, Elizabeth and her son
Claude of the Chapman family.
Bacon, Rufus J., was born in Skaneateles, Onondaga county, 1818. His parents, Ru-
fus and Martha Bacon, came to the town of Butler in 1832, when Rufus died August
18, 1849, at eighty years of age. He was the eldest of eleven children. His mother
died June 19, 1857. Mrs. Rufus Bacon is a sister of Mrs. John McCourtie, and they
are the daughters of the late well known Eleazer Smith of Butler. Her four daugh-
ters are Phebe A., born May 2, 1843, Martha P., born December 9, 1848, Sarah, born
July 3, 1853, Florence, born April 5, 1857.
Bacon, Nathan, born in 1822, is the son of Rufus Bacon of Sennett, N, Y., who died
at the age of seventy years in 1861. Nathan has been a resident of Butler since 1852.
Both himself and wife are members of the M. E. Church. January 1, 1854. he married
Lavina, daughter of the late Eleazer Smith of Butler, by whom he had three children :
Mary E., Frances M., and Sumner S.
Brewster, A. K, was born at Sterling, 1825. Morgan Brewster, his father, was born
at Palmyra, Wayne connty, and was well known as a hotel proprietor at Wolcott, and
at Red Creek. He died in 1889, and his wife, Melinda Lyan, died two years later.
Our subject, educated at Red Creek Seminary, has been engaged in mercantile and other
lines af business, at one time operating a stage line between Wolcot and Clyde, in con-
nection with a livery. In 1876, he purchased a farm near Wolcott. His first wife,
Evelyn, who died in 1860, left one son, Frank L. The present Mrs. Brewster was
Cyrilla Lawrence, of Copenhagen, to whom were born three children. George A,,
Fred H., and Anna Belle, the latter becoming Mrs. E. B. Cossolman. Her death oc-
curred August 7, 1892, at twenty-three years of age. She left one son, Earl Cossol-
man.
Britton, Joseph, born in Williamson, September 21, 1833, and was the second
child of Richard and Ann Wake Britton, natives of Warthell, Yorkshire, England, he
born in 1797 and she in 1807, and who were married in 1829. The father of Richard
was John Britton, who lived and died in England. Richard Britton was a veterinary
surgeon and farmer, and settled where our subject now resides, and owned at one time
147 acres of land. He was a Republican, and poormaster for two years. He and his
wife were members of the M. E. Church. He died in 1886 and she in 1871. Our sub-
ject was educated in Sodus Academy, and he has spent his life where he now resides
and owns sixty- five acres of land. He is a Republican and has been assessor ten years.
He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. October 27, 1864, he mar-
ried Elizabeth Clark, of Williamson, born March 5, 1839, and daughter of John and
Elizabeth Clark. Our subject has one daughter, Carrie M., born 1865, and the wife of
Elmer V. San tee, a merchant of Watertown, whom she married February 18, 1892.
168 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Buckles, Abram, was born in Williamson August 2, 1856. He is a son of Jacob and
Anna (Wamesfelder) Buckles, natives of Holland. They came to America in 1847 and
settled in Williamson, where they have since resided and followed farming. The
grandfather, Adrian, died in Holland in 1830, and his wife Maggie (Deflue) Buckles,
died on the ocean while on the way to America in 1847. Adrian Buckles was a
wagonmaker by trade. Abram was reared on the farm and worked on the homestead
till 1887, when he bought the plank road steam saw mill, where he has since been en-
gaged in the manufacture of lumber. He also has a feed mill and a cider mill. They
attend and support the M. E. Church. In 1883 he married Lucinda Resue, of William-
son, and they have one daughter, Maud. The parents of Mrs. Buckles were Josiah and
Annie Resue. He died in 1871, and his wife resides on the farm.
Budlong, A. P., Macedon, was born December 22, 1824, son of John Budlong, who
was born in 1798. The latter was a farmer and business man, and a dealer in cattle.
He married in 1816 Abigail Langley, and they reared seven children : Jenks, Dewain,
Nathan, A. P., our subject, Samuel, Charlotte and Abigail. He married second in 1833
Widow Hill, by whom he had these children, John R., Walter F., and Hettie M. Our
subject is a farmer. He married first Hannah Arnold, by whom he had two children,
Nathan and Cora. His second wife was Cornelia Pulver. Mr. Budlong held the office
of assessor.
Baker, David O, Macedon, was born on the farm now owned by John E. Baker,
within a few yards of his farm. April 28, 1846. His occupation has been farming, but
in early life he taught school six winters. He married in 1873 Margaret J. Longstaff,
of Macedon, and settled where he now lives, owning about 100 acres, three acres in
timber. They have two children, David G., jr., and Mary E., both at home attending
the district school and Macedon Union school. Our subject is excise commissioner,
also assessor, and is a member of the Royal Templars and the Orange.
Bentley, Joseph W., Macedon, was born in Queensbury, Warren county February
17, 1840. Warren Bentley, his father, was born in Warren county August 28,
1815, son of Richard Bentley, a native of Rhode Island, who came to this State at an
early day. His occupation was speculating in lumber, etc. He married Dina Vaughn,
and they had seventeen children, thirteen of whom grew to maturity. At present
there are six living. He settled in Queensbury, near Lake George. Warren Bentley
married Calista Jenkins, born in Queensbury, Warren county, January 25, 1819, daugh-
ter of Murray Jenkins, and they had seven children, all now living. The occupation of
our subject has been farming except in the year of 1862, when he went to the oil region
in Pennsylvania. He conducted a lumber yard and general merchandise store for W.
Ames & Co., in the village of Pioneer near Titusville, which position he held four
years. He married Axie Vaughn of Erie county, in 1867, at which time he gave up
his position and went to Michigan, where he lived one year. He then came to Genesee
county and then to Cleveland, Ohio, where he spent the summer. In 1869 he came to
the farm he now owns, consisting of seventy- five acres. He has two sons, Fred W.
Ames and Herbert Lee. Fred W. is a physician and graduated from the New York
Homoeopathic Medical College May 3, 1894, and went to Buffalo May 15, 1894, to
assume charge of the Buffalo Homoeopathic Hospital. Herbert Lee graduated May 25,
1894, from the Buffalo Law school. Subject never aspired to public office.
Bullis, Abraham, Macedon, was born in Farmington, Ontario county, September 4,
1854. His father, Dr. Abraham R, was a native of Vermont, born July 8, 1815. He
was a graduate of Geneva Medical College, and took up his practice in Farmington
and Macedon. He married Lydia P., daughter of John Lapham, of Macedon, a
descendant of the old pioneer family of Laphams so widely known in this part of
Wayne county, who came to this part of the State in 1790. John L. Bullis, brother of
our subjeet, is captain in the regular army of the United States, also Indian agent in
FAMILY SKETCHES. 169
New Mexico. The children of Abraham R. Bullis are : John, Mary, Charles, Abraham
R., our subject ; Lida and Nettie. Mary, Charles, and Nettie are deceased. Lida is the
wife of Major Weni, of the regular army. Our subject is a graduate of Cornell University,
graduating as a civil engineer in 1882, also in mathematics in 1881. He married
Josephine Breese in 1884, daughter of J. D. Breese, of Macedon, and they have two
children, Charles and Nettie. Our subject is a prominent member of the Masonic
Lodge No. 665, of Macedon.
Blaine, C. G., was born in the town of Varick, Seneca county, March 23, 1856, was
educated in the Ovid Academy and graduated from the University of Michigan in
1882, taking the law course. He came to Lyons in 1882 and entered the office of
Major Roys and in 1883 was admitted to the bar of Wayne county, and entered into
general practice. In 1889 he bought the George H. Cramer insurance business, and in
1894 also bought the Charles E. Crandall agency, doing the largest line of insurance and
handling real estate and placing loans in Lyons. At the age of twenty-eight he mar-
ried Cassie A., daughter of Amos Desmond, of Galen, and they are the parents of one
son, Carlton A. Our subject is a very active business man, identified in advancing the
best interests of his town and the leading events of the day, and is recognized as a man
of sterling integrity and worth.
Baltzel, G. H., the eldest son of Henry Baltzel, who came to Lyons from Alsace Sulz
in 1842, was born in Lyons January 12, 1851. He was educated in Lyons, and at an
early age became his father's assistant in his many enterprises, paying special attention
to the boot and shoe trade, which, at the death of his father in March, 1878, he con-
tinued, being at the present time one of the leading merchants and carrying one of the
largest stocks of fine footware of all kinds in Wayne county. Retiring and unassum-
ing he has done much to advance the best interests of his town as any of his towns-
people, having in connection with his brother, W. H. Baltzel, erected the well known
Baltzel block.
Baltzel, W. H., was born May 5, 1855, in Lyons. His father, Henry, came from
Alsace Sulz to Lyons in 1842, first engaged in the hotel and boot and shoe business, and
gradually acquired a large amount of real estate, and at his death, in March, 1878, was
one of the wealthiest and most prominent business men in the town of Lyons, leaving
a large estate to his ten children. W. H. Baltzel was educated at Lyons Union School
and finished at the Rochester Business University, after which he engaged in the dry
goods and provision business, and, in connection with his brother, Henry, erected one
of the largest blocks in Lyons, containing four stories and the Baltzel House. At thirty-
one years of age he married Jennie B. Reads, of Syracuse, and they have three chil-
dren : Irene, Pauline, and Marjorie. Our subject is one of the prominent business men
in his town, identified in advancing its best interests, and is recognized as a man of nigh
business ability and strict integrity.
Boeheim, F. W. & Son, Furniture and Undertakers. — The firm is composed of F. W.
Boeheim, came from Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1850, settled in Lyons and established
himself in the same business now carried on by himself and sons in 1854. Starting in a
small way he soon began to acquire a competence, and in 1880 took into the firm the
eldest son, Frederick, and in 1891 the youngest son, Charles. In 1891 he bought the
Leonard property on Water street which they rebuilt, making one of the largest busi-
ness blocks in Lyons, occupying four floors and carrying the largest and most complete
line of furniture and undertaking goods in Wayne county. F. W. Boeheim married
Philopena Gehres, daughter of Daniel Gehres, of Germany, and they have four chil-
dren: Frederick, Philip, and Charles, and one daughter, Mrs. William Buisch, of
Lyons. Frederick married at twenty-three Sallie Buisch, of Lyons, daughter of
George Buisch, and they have one son, Frederick. Charles married at twenty-one
Libbie, daughter of Adam Frey, and they have three children : Charles E., Bessie, and
170 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Clara. Our subjects are noted among the business community as men of energy and
high business ability, identified in advancing the best interests of their town, where
they have been selected to fill many positions of trust and of recognized worth and
sterling integrity.
Barton, Daniel, was born June 12, 1830, on the old Barton homestead in Lyons, which
at the time of his birth was a log house. His father, Elisha. was a prominent farmer in
his town. Daniel was educated in the common schools, attending school during the
winter and working on the farm during the summer. At the age of twenty-five he mar-
ried Eliza, daughter of David Griffiths, who died in 1857, and in 1859 he married Soph-
ronia, daughter of James Miller, of Arcadia. They have had three children, two of whom
are living: Bernard M., and Lillie B. Eliza died in 1880, at the age of twenty-three.
In 1869 he bought the Captain Merry property of 100 acres, raising mint, hay, grain and
stock. Our subject is one of the leading farmers in his town, elected as assessor in
1893. He took an active interest in educational and religious matters.
Barton, Theodore, was born in Putnam county, January 7, 1828, came to Wayne county
in 1829 with his father, Elisha, and was educated in the common schools of his day, to
which he has added through life by reading and close observation. At the age of twenty-
seven he married Jeannette, daughter of Philip Pulver, of Lyons, and they have one
daughter, Ida. In 1856 he bought the Ben Carroll property of sixty-five acres, and
in 1869 bought part of the Captain Merry property of thirty-three acres, having sixty-
nine acres of some of the best farm land in Wayne county, raising mint, hay, grain
and stock, Our subject is one of the prominent farmers in his town, filled the office
of commissioner of highways, and a liberal supporter of educational and religious in-
stitutions.
Beadle, Judd, was born in the town of Marengo. March 28, 1859. His father, Orrin,
the proprietor of Beadle's Hotel for fifty years, is also a native of the county. Judd
Beadle was educated in the common schools, to which he has added through life by
reading and observation In 1888 he established a general grocery and mercantile
store at Marengo, and disposing of it in 1891 came to Clyde and remained in busi-
ness one year, and in the fall of the same year came to Lyons and established the
same business in the double stores on the south side, carrying one of the largest and
best selected stocks of fire groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes, rubber goods, in
Wayne county. Our subject is recognized as one of the most energetic and enter-
prising merchants in his town, identified in advancing its best interests and in the
leading events of the day.
Bastian, David, was born in the town of Galen, February 7, 1849. His father,
Michael, came from Alsace. David was educated in the common schools. At the age
of twenty-four he married Magdalena, daughter of George Ehreman, of Lyons, and
they are the parents of four children : Philip A., Helen L., Bertha, and Maud N.
In 1881 in connection with his brother George B., he bought the Walter Aikenhead
property of 320 acres, which they divided, raising hay, grain and stock, making a
specialty of milk dairying, averaging 200 quarts per day. Our subject is one of the
intelligent farmers in his town, identified in advancing its interests.
Boyd, James, is a native of Ireland, born January 6, 1843, and is a son of James and
Catherine Boyd, natives of Ireland. Our subject has two sisters, Margaret, wife of
Samuel Bailey, of Clyde ; and Mary. At the age of thirteen he left his native land,
home and friends, and sailed for America, coming direct to Clyde, where he had an
uncle, making the journey alone. He learned the blacksmith trade, and has followed it
ever since. In 1865 he came to Huron, and in 1891 purchased the farm of 101 acres,
where he now resides. In 1863, he married Dalinda, daughter of Bradley and Sarah
Abies, of Wolcott. He enlisted in Co. G, 9th Heavy Artillery, and served until the close
FAMILY SKETCHES. 171
of the war. He participated in the battles of Cold Harbor, Weldon Railroad, Monocacy,
Cedar Creek, Petersburg, Sailor's Run, and Hatcher's Run. He has reared six children :
Minnie E., wife of Irving Winchell, of Huron ; Jay W., James A., Erne A., Florence,
Leslie, and Clayton, who died aged five years. Mr. Boyd is a member of the G-. A. R.,
Keeslar Post, No. 55, and in politics is a Republican.
Beadle, M. D., was born in this county in 1818, reared on a farm, and in 1839 married
Betsey Doraner, moving to Palmyra in 1860, where he deals in live stock and wool.
Their children are: Frances M., wife of Czar Dunning; George S., and Augustus M.
Both sons reside in Palmyra. The parents of the subject of this sketch were Ira and
Hannah (Langdon) Beadle natives of Washington county, the former dying May 7,
1864, and the latter October 27. 1859, aged seventy-four and fifty-nine years, respect-
ively.
Brown, George R., dealer in groceries and provisions, and president of Wayne Build-
ing & Loan Association, is a native of Palmyra, born April 10, 1850. He was educated
in the common schools and took the classical course at the Union school. At the age
of twenty-one he entered the employ of G. N. Crouse & Co., of Syracuse, where he
remained five years. After this he returned to Palmyra, and engaged in the grocery
business with his father, George Brown. The latter was a native of this county.
Since 1888 our subject has conducted the business alone. He is also a director of the
Globe Manufacturing Co. In 1875 he married Harriet E. Barnham, also a native of
this town. Mr. Brown is vestryman of Zion Church.
Bump, William H., was born in Saratoga, May 31, 1830, but in early childhood
moved with his parents to Ontario county, where his father, Charles, died in 1883, and
his mother, Maria Sax, in the same year. The father was a farmer all his life, owning
and residing on one farm in Ontario county over fifty years. Our subject was the old-
est of four children: John H., who lives on the homestead in Ontario county; James
H., who enlisted in the 111th N. Y. Yols. under Colonel Seeley, and July 3, 1863, was
killed in the battle of Gettysburg; Helen A., who married Charles Clark, of Ontario
county, and died in 1882; our subject married February 1, 1854, Sarah E. Cornwell, a
native of Palmyra, and after his marriage farmed fifteen years in this town, then for
two years engaged in the cabinet maker's and undertaker's business. Since 1874 he
has conducted a livery, and also owns a hearse, having attended over 1,600 funerals.
He was trustee of the village, and under-sheriff for three years.
Budd, Thomas, was born in England April 18, 1827, the youngest child of eight
children born to Thomas and Betsey Budd, who lived and died in England. In 1852
subject came to Ontario, and after working by the day, first bought ten acres and now
owns ninety acres and follows general farming and fruit growing, having five acres of
berries. He is a Republican in politics. Mr. Budd married October 1, 1862, Sallie A.
Wilson, of Webster, by whom he has one son, James W. Mrs. Budd was a daughter
of Adolphus and Phiphena Sprague, of Hartford, Conn. Mr. Sprague and wife both
died in Webster, he in 1859 and she in 1863.
Brown, R. K., born in Monroe county July 28, 1825, is the ninth of a family of eleven
children of Daniel and Margaret (Kennedy) Brown, the former a native of Connecticut,
and the latter of Penfield. Mr. Brown came to Monroe county in 1804, where he died
in 1834, and his wife the same year. Subject was reared on a farm, educated in Marion
and Macedcn Academies, has been principally engaged in farming, and taught school
fourteen winters. Mr. Brown has been captain of a boat on the Erie Canal three sum-
mers. He is a Republican, and has been assessor and justice of the peace. He married
Mary J., daughter of John and Esther Horton, who settled in Phelps. They came
from Kinderhook and settled on a farm in Ontario in an early day, where he died in
1860 and his wife in 1882. Subject and wife have had three children: Myron H.,
172 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
(deceased), Hattie A., wife of Alfred M. Mead, and they have three children : Edgar
K., Dora and Mary E., and Evaline, deceased. Subject is a farmer, owns 118 acres of
land, follows general farming, and has seven acres of apples and small fruit.
Barnsdale, Thomas, was born in England, coming to America in 1854 with his
parents, Thomas and Jane Barnsdale. They had four children. By his first wife Sarah,
he also had four children, she being the mother of our subject. Mr. Barnsdale was a
farmer by occupation, and died in Ontario, his widow now residing in Rochester.
Thomas was twenty years of age when he came to this town, and settled on the place
he now owns, which comprises sixteen acres in the village of Ontario. He is a Repub-
lican in politics, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lmcoln. He follows general farm-
ing, and has about four acres devoted to apple culture.
Bullock, F. L., senior member of the firm of Bullock & Coleman, merchant millers, of
South Butler, was born March 8, 1868, in the town of Butler. Educated at Red Creek
Academy, his business life began in April, 1893, when the co-partnership was formed
with C. A. Coleman. His wife, to whom he was married April 21, 1892, is Julia,
daughter of the late Dr. Pasco. A young man of excellent habits, and business ability,
and with hosts of friends wherever known, his future deserves a large measure of
success.
Beal, Emery, of Macedon, was born in this town April 20, 1836. His father was
Seth Beal, born in the town of Palmyra, now Macedon. He was a farmer by occupa-
tion and settled on the place now owned by our subject. The father of Seth was
Leonard, a native of Massachusetts, who was one of the first settlers in this locality,
and his father was Seth Beal. The mother of our subject was Hannah Reed, of Mac-
edon, who had twelve children, ten now living. Emery has followed agriculture all his
life, excepting the time spent in the army, which was from August, 1862, to March,
1865. He participated in numerous battles, and was among those who captured the
gunboat " Cotton " at Fort Bislane. He never received a wound during the service.
In 1874 he married Rose E. Smith and they have had three children : Charles, Frank,
and Willis, and one daughter, Dora, deceased. Our subject is a G. A. B. man, and has
served as collector and commissioner of highways, being a Democrat.
Brooks, Benjamin, was born in England, July 12, 1818, and came to Clyde in 1831,
where he settled. His father, Thomas, followed boating three years, and soon acquired
real estate and engaged in farming. He died in 1863, aged seventy-three years. Ben-
jamin was educated in the common schools. In 1863 he inherited the homestead and
the Stephen Smith property of 235 acres. He sold the Smith property, and now has
170 acres of some of the best land in Wayne county, raising fruit, hay, grain and
stock. At the age of twenty-five he married Lydia Ann, daughter of William Hopkins,
and they have six children : Thomas Buell, Arthur, Mary, Fanny, and Emma. Our
subject is one of the representative farmers in his town, taking an active interest in ed-
ucational and religious matters, giving his service to build the cemetery in 1832.
Bennett, John A., was born in Williamson, November 22, 1834. He is the ninth
child of a family of thirteen children of John and Jane Nason Bennett, who came to
Williamson when eleven years old with his parents. John Bennett was a farmer and
mechanic, and died in 1865 aged seventy- five years. Our subject learned the cooper's
trade when fifteen years of age, and also worked at the carpenter's trade for about
fifteen years, and then dressed tools in a blacksmith shop for three years, after which
he purchased a grist mill at Beaver Creek and followed milling for seven years. He
again followed the carpenter's trade for three years and in 1893 came to the village of
Ontario Center, where he at present keeps a meat market. He owns a place near Fur-
naceville, where he raises fruit. He is a member of Ontario Grange. In 1859 he mar-
ried Anna Maria Truax, of Williamson, a daughter of Jacob Truax, and one of eight-
FAMILY SKETCHES. 17:',
een children. Mr. Bennett and wife have two children : Olive, who died in infancy,
Claud F., born January 16, 1874, educated at the common schools and now resides at
home.
Booth, Charles R., a very estimable young farmer of Huron, born in the house he
now owns October 29, 1867, is a son of Zenas H. Booth, also born in Huron June 16,
1831, was a blacksmith and farmer. His wife was Marian Morey, born in Rose in
March, 1834, and their children are : Josephine D., born August 15, 1856; Manvill J., born
in November, 1857 ; Edmund D., born in January, 1861, and Charles Z. Zenas H.
and wife died in 1877 and 1878 respectively. Subject was educated in Wolcott School.
In 1888 he purchased the homestead, where he has since resided. In 1889 he married
Susan, daughter of Henry McMillan, and they have one child, Hazel, born in May,
1892. Subject is a member of the Farmers' Alliance.
Boss, Cornelius, born in Sodus April 6, 1856, is the fifth of nine children of Isaac
and Sarah (Dedee) Boss, natives of Holland, who came to America in 1854 and settled
in Williamson on a farm. He bought a farm in Sodus where he resided till 1865, when
he went to Michigan for a year. He returned to Sodus, again buying a farm, which he
sold and bought the farm, a part of which is now owned by our subject. He died
April 3, 1887, and his wife March 28, 1880. Subject was reared on a farm, and edu
cated in Sodus and Marion. He married April 7, 1880, Annie, daughter of Frank and
Mary (Lawrence) Leroy, natives of Holland. Mr. and Mrs. Boss have one son and one
daughter, Frank O, born September 6, 1866, and Jessie. Mr. Leroy died in 1866, and
Mrs. Leroy resides in Marion. Mr. Boss has always been engaged in farming, and
makes a specialty of fruit growinsr. He is a member of the Grange, and is also a mem-
ber of the Security Tent K. 0. T^M.
Baker, Edward, Macedon, was born in England July 22, 1852, son of John Baker,
who was born February 23, 1827, who is a farmer. Subject was fourteen years of age
when he came with his parents to this county. The other children of the family were
Daniel, Sarah A., Charlotte and Ellen. Our subject now owns a fine farm, from which
he produces grain in abundance. He was educated in the common schools, and married
January 13, 1886, Harriet E. Holloway.
Boynton, Frank M., was born in Ontario in 1850, one of four children of Lorenzo S.
and Philura (Maine) Boynton, he a native of Walworth, born January 2, 1816, and she
of Connecticut, born April 18, 1813. Mr. Boynton was reared and educated in Wal-
worth and always followed farming. He came to Ontario about 1845, and owned a
farm of eighty acres. He died September 12, 1884, and his wife July 26, 1858. His
father, Jonathan, was born August 10, 1779, and was one of the first settlers of Wal-
worth, where he died March 28, 1845. Frank M. was educated in the common schools
and Walworth Academy, also the Jonesville Union School of Michigan. He has always
followed farming, and now owns the homestead place, devoting some attention to fruit
raising. He has a fine place and is one of the leading men of the town. He is a
Republican and a member of the Grange. In 1878 he married Maggie A., daughter
of Robert and Jane (Walton) Franks, who both died in Walworth. Lorenzo S.
Boynton was twice married, his second wife having been Lenora Wheeler, daughter of
Ralph and Lucy (Ray) Lovejoy. She resides in Ontario.
Blackmore, H. F., came to America when six years of age from London, England,
where he was born in 1841. When the first call for volunteer soldiers was made in
1861 he was a student at Weedsport and promptly entered the service of his adopted
country, enlisting in Company C, 75th N. Y. S. Vols., afterward the 75th New York
Veteran Battalion. He was an active participant in the La Fourche, Port Hudson, and
Red River campaigns, his brigade being always at the front. He was also engaged in
the battle of Winchester and Fisher's Hill, at the latter receiving a severe wound
174 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
which confined him to the hospital five months, at the end of which period, August 30,
1865 he was mustered out at Savannah, G-a. Mr. Blackmore's wife was Emma Rising,
of Auburn, N. Y., and they were married October 7, 1884. Since the war he has filled
the position of keeper at Auburn eight years, and has held various offices of trust at
Wolcott, where he is highly esteemed.
Bradway, A. J., only son of the late William Bradway, was born at Victory, Cayuga
county, June 1, 1839. A sister, Hannah, now Mrs. Uelmer, lives in Wisconsin. A.J.
Bradway came to Wayne county in 1S64 on his return from the war, in which he had
seen three years' service as a member of Company E, 13th Mich. Vol. Infantry. For
many years he operated a saw mill at South Butler, also manufacturing butter tubs,
barrels, and cooper's materials. More recently he has been engaged in farming in
Wolcott. He has served as collector, constable, and deputy sheriff. November 5,
1859, he married Mary A. Wheeler, of Hannibal, Cayuga county, and has one daughter,
Emma, born August 11, 1860.
Brooks, Alfred, son of Augustus R. Brooks, of Cato, Cayuga county, was born in
1834, and when seventeen years of age came to Wolcott, where his parents were en-
gaged in farming, and where he now pursues the same avocation, devoting his atten-
tion chiefly to small fruits. His wife is Mary A., daughter of H. B. Carr, of Wolcott,
and they have two children : Deborah, wife of D. F. Lockwood, of Lyons ; and Laura
Frances, who died at fourteen years of age.
Bourne. W. E., was born in Lyons September 9, 1863. His father, James, came
from England and settled in Lyons. He married Ann Lee, of England.' He died in
1891 at seventy-six years of age. W. E. Bourne was educated in Lyons Union School,
after which he entered the employ of E. B. Price & Son, grocers, and after several
years of experience in business, in 1894 purchased a half interest with W. M. Young,
carrying the largest and most complete stock of books, stationery, toys, confectionery,
baby carriages, and office supplies in Wayne county. At the age of twenty-five he
married Mary A., daughter of Arthur M. Sunderlin. Our subject is recognized as one
of the most energetic merchants in his town, identified in advancing its best interests
and in the leading events of the day.
Burnett, A. E., was born in Phelps, Ontario county, April 29, 1852, was educated at
Phelps Union school and finished at Eastman Business College, Poughkeepsie. After
leaving school he returned to his father's farm two years, and in 1876 came to Lyons
and established himself in the grocery and general produce business in the same loca-
tion he now occupies. In 1888 he established a coal and wood yard, handling 3,000
tons per year. At the age of twenty-two he married Laura J., daughter of Levi Lane,
of Lyons, and they are the parents of one daughter, Frances H. He is a Republican in
politics, and held the office of supervisor in 1889, 1891, 1892, and 1893, being the first
Republican elected in ten years, and the only one that held the office for four terms
since the foundation of the party. Our subject is one of the leading business men in
his town, identified in advancing its best interests and of recognized character and
sterling worth.
Avery, A. G., was born in Lyons November 28, 1826. His father, Cyrus, came to
Lyons in 1814 and the following year purchased part of the King estate of 150 acres,
which is well known as the Avery homestead, and is now in possession of his son. It
has been in the family eighty years. After a few years Cyrus sent for his father, Benja-
man, who was a Revolutionary soldier. Enlisting at the age of eighteen under General
Arnold, he took part in the storming of Quebec, also served under General Anthony
Wayne and passed the winter with the Continental Army at Valley Forge, serving un-
til the close of the war. He received an honorable discharge at the close of the war.
Being destitute he was granted a pension by the United States Government. He died
FAMILY SKETCHES. (.75
May 4, 1843, at the house of his son Cyrus, aged eighty-five years. Cyrus Avery mar-
ried Parthenia Skilton, of Watertown, Conn., and they were the parents of three
children, two of whom are living : Mrs. John C. Bishop, and A. G. Avery. A. G. was
educated in the common schools, to which he has added through life by reading and
close observation. At the age of forty-two he married Beulah, daughter of B. F. Clark,
of Sodus Center, and who were the parents of two children : Saxon G., and Anna E.
Saxon G. died at the age of eighteen, a young man of brilliant attainments. Our sub-
ject is one of the intelligent farmers of his town, raising hay, grain and, stock. Conserva-
tive and independent in character he is recognized as a man of sterling integrity and
moral worth.
Arnold, George H. (deceased), was born at Kichmond, Ontario county May 24,
1830. He was educated at Lima, at the age of twenty-two graduated from the law
school at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and soon after located in Lyons and commenced the
practice of law in the office of Smith & Cornwall. By force of character, moral worth,
and animated by the high standard he ever strove to attain, he soon made his mark
among the members of his profession and was recognized as a man whose integrity was
unimpeachable. At the age of thirty he married Mary A., daughter of Deacon Newell
Taft, and they are the parents of two daughters : Annie L., and Mary A. He died
July 2, 1867, aged thirty-seven years, striving through his last few hours to soften tbe
blow for those he loved so dearly, assuring them that with him all was well.
Alderman, George F., of Macedon, was born in Leicestershire, England, January 15,
1848, and came to America in 1863, where he worked for a number of years, both by
the month and farming on shares. He then bought a farm of eighty acres, and started
for himself. This farm he still owns, and follows general farming. He married in
England Sarah A. Beck, and they had two children : Born in England, Harriet and
Arthur, and since coming here they have reared six,*as follows; William, Bertha,
Frederick, Florence, Nellie and Ray. The children have all had a good common school
education, and Harriet has attended school at Palmyra. Mr. Alderman is a Republican
in politics, and is a school trustee.
Althen, Daniel, was born in Lyons January 13, 1840. His father, Philip, came from
Bavaria, on the Rhine, in 1835, settled at Lyons, and was a clothier and merchant tailor
by profession. He died in October, 1886, aged seventy-six years. Daniel was edu-
cated in the common school, to which he has added through life by reading and close
observation. In 1856 he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and remained six years. In 1862
he returned to Lyons, and established his present business of dealer in fine groceries
and fruits. At the age of twenty-one he married Lena, daughter of Frederick Studer,
and they are the parents of two children : Mrs. Bertha Damon, of Rochester, and May
F. Our subject is one of the oldest merchants in town. In 1886 he built the brick
block now occupied by him in his business.
Seager, Asher W., was born in Rose May 9, 1843, son of David J. and Hannah War-
ner, he a native of Connecticut, born December 19, 1808, and she of Sodus. born
July 16, 1811. The paternal grandfather of subject was John N. Seager, a native of
Connecticut and one of the early settlers of Huron, where he died. The maternal
grandfather of subject was Asher Warner, who settled in Sodus early and was killed at
Sodus Point during the War of 1812. The father of subject first settled in Huron in
1825, and on the farm our subject owns in 1837. Mrs. Seager died in 1892, and Mr.
Seager resides in Rose. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated at Wayne
Center. He has followed farming, owns seventy-seven acres, making a specialty of
raising pepermint, in which industry he has been very successful. Mr. Seager has been
highway commissioner nine years and assessor six years. He married twice, first in
1869 Mary J. Wicks a native of Rose and daughter of Caleb Wicks. She died Decem-
ber 1, 1890, and he married in 1892 Elizabeth, daughter of John Klippel, of Lyons.
176 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
Mr. Seager is a member of Rose Lodge No. 590 F. and A. M., and also of Sherman Post,
No. 401. He enlisted August 19, 1862, in Company D, 9th Heavy Artillery, and served
nearly three years. He was at Cold Harbor, Monocacy, Winchester, Cedar Creek, in
front of Petersburg and at Sayler Creek.
Miller, George F., was born in Lyons November 1, 1866. His father, George F..
born October 13, 1836, came from Germany and married Rosina Englehardt. He died
July 28, 1886, at forty-nine years of age. He established a bakery and confectionery
business which has been carried on by the family for twenty-five years, being now con-
ducted by his son. It is one of the largest in that line in the town, comprising a full
line of confectionery, toys, etc., and making a specialty of fresh bakery merchandise.
Hickok, Eugene, was born in Genoa April 5, 1835, a son of William and Sophia C.
(Gunn) Hickok, of New England stock, but the mother was of Scotch descent. The
grandparents were Moses and Zesvia (Felton) Hickok, who ware early settlers of
Wayne county but natives of New England. William Hickok was a wheelwright by
trade, at which he worked for a number of years in Genoa. He then came to Huron,
being one of the earliest settlers there, bought a farm, cleared a home, and worked at
his trade. He sold out, came to Rose and bought a farm where they resided until their
death. Mr. Hickok died in 1871 and his wife in 1881. Subject was reared on the
farm, and with the exception of four years in grocery business, has been engaged in
farming. He now has 135 acres, and makes a specialty of dairying. In 1863 he mar-
ried Narcissa M., daughter of Oliver C. and Jane T. Colvin of Butler, by whom he has
had two children.: Horton E., born April 14, 1868, wko died January 9, 1888; and A.
Jennie, born November 25, 1869, married in 1888, and died in 1889, leaving one daugh-
ter, Musetta A. Barless. who lives with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Hickok. Mr.
Hickok is a member of Rose Lodge No. 590 F. & A. M., also of Clyde Grange
No. 33.
Fish, Harry, was born in Williamson, 1812. He is a son of Isaac and Polly Fish,
early settlers of Williamson, where they lived and died. Harry S. Fish was reared on
a farm and educated in the common schools. He has always been engaged in farming
and has for many years been known as one of the leading farmers of his town. His
wife was Fannie M. Stewart, and they have had nine children. Mrs. Fish died Jan-
uary 13, 1894, and Mr. Fish now resides in his native town at the age of eighty-two.
He has been highway commissioner of the town. He is a member of the M. E.
Church, of which his wife was a member until her death. He is a Republican. His
children are all away from home except his daughter, Hattie, who attends her father
in his sickness and also assists him in the management of his farm.
Foist, George P. (deceased), was born on the Foist homestead in 1840. His father
was John L. At the age of twenty- seven he married Mary A., daughter of Peter Mal-
hizer, by whom he has one daughter, Mrs. C. M. Robinson of Newark, N. Y., and one
son, John W. Foist. Our subject was one of the representative farmers of his town,
and died April 1, 1890. John W. Foist married Sarah, daughter of George Oakleaf, by
whom he has one son, George P., who manages his father's estate of 180 acres, raising
fruit, hay, grain and stock.
Everhart, H. L., was born at Danby, N. Y., April 6, 1833. His father, Samuel Ever-
hart, is now and has been for fifty years a resident of Lock Berlin, Wayne couuty, and
is now ninety-two years of age. His mother, Katherine, died in 1884, aged seventy-
seven years. Henry was in earlier life for ten years a dealer in lumber, operating a saw
mill at Clyde. In 1866 he began farming in Arcadia, removing in 1891 to Butler.
October 27, 1356, he married Eunice, daughter of Harvey and Maria Bishop, of Galen,
and their children are: Frank, born September 29/1858, who married Nellie Phelps of
Galen, and is a farmer and dairyman in Yates county ; Foist, born June 15, 1860, mar-
FAMILY SKETCHES. 177
ried Adele Pulou of Sodus. He graduated from the Albany Law school in 1886, and is
now practicing in Buffalo. Subject and wife are members of the M. E. Church.
Field, N. J., North Wolcott, dealer in dry goods, groceries, hardware, crockery, etc.,
born at Sterling September 15, 1843, is the second son of the late Simeon and Harriet
Field. Simeon Field was born in Vermont, and for many years was a builder at Ster-
ling and Victory. Nathaniel, our subject, was educated at the Red Creek Academy,
and before he attained his majority became a soldier, going out with the famous Ninth
Heavy Artillery. He escaped unhurt the perils of Cedar Creek, but was afterwards
confined to a hospital many months. In 1865 he married Ellen, daughter of Nelson
Lovejoy, of Wolcott, and they had three children : the oldest, Lillie Theresa, having
died when ten years old. The others are Nelson, Hattie and Nellie. In 1874 Mr. Fields
established the mercantile business at North Wolcott, and has continued since without
interruption. He was postmaster at that place eight years. He is assessor at present.
Foster, William, was born in Palmyra in 1814, of English descent. His parents were
Cyrus and Millicent Foster, natives of Long Island, who located here in 1892. He died
in 1854 and his wife in 1837. In 1844 William married Esther Young, a native of
Albany, and their children are : Albesta, who married Lyman Herbert, and died in
1884 ; Charles, Cyrus, Salem, Whalend and Edward. Mr. Foster has been prominent
in education and public matters, and has served as school commissioner, supervisor, and
president of the School Board.
Fellows, George F., was born in Lyons Jannary 12, 1859. His father, John E., came
to Lyons in 1830, has passed a very active business life, and is one of the prominent
men of the town. George F. was educated in the Lyons Union school and finished at
the Cazenovia-Oneida Conference Seminary, after which he taught four years and man-
aged his father's farm. In 1886 he established his present business of general produce,
agricultural implements, coal and fertilizers, handling the largest amount of his special-
ties of any house in Wayne county. At the age of thirty-one he married Grace, daugh-
ter of M. B. Brandage of Lyons, and they are the parents of one son, Edward F. He
is a Republican in politics, and is now assessor in the town, taking an intelligent interest
in educational and religious matters, and is identified in advancing" its best interests.
Forrester, H. E., was born in Tryon, N. Y., February 11, 1860. His father was a
native of that town, also a wholesale grocer of Elmira, H. E. Forrester was educated
in Elmira. In 1883 he entered the Philadelphia Dental College, also Hospital of Oral
Surgery, and graduated in 1886, then came to Lyons and purchased the W. T. Reynolds
dental rooms, where he is now established in business having one of the best appointed
offices in Wayne county, fitted with all modern appliances and using the latest improved
methods known to his profession. At the age of twenty-seven he married Adelaide,
daughter of Jacob Kern, of Terre Haute, Ind., and they are the parents of two children :
George K., and Margaret E. Our subject is one of the progressive men of his town,
identified in advancing its bests interests in church and school matters, being the first
president of Eastern Wayne Y. P. S. C. E., and chairman of the organizing committee
of the Y. M. C. A., also a director in that association and member of the 7th district
Dental Society of Western New York.
Finn, Allen S., was born at Clifton, Pa., February 4, 1840. He is the oldest of seven
children of Urial and Jane (Sanders) Finn, natives of Scranton, Pa. Urial Finn is a
boat builder by trade, which he followed for many years. He was also a farmer, but
has now retired and lives in Marion. Mrs. Finn died in 1879. Allen S. in early life
learned the trade of boat builder, at which he worked at Lockport for a number of
years with success, but having met with reverses he gave up the business. He has since
been engaged for seven years in the insurance business in Buffalo, and engaged in
farming in Marion, where in 1874 he purchased 122 acres, on which he has put out
178 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
gfty six acres of apple orchard, He married, in 1873, Kittie House, of Lockport, by
whom he has one daughter, Kittie E. She was educated at the schools of Lockport,
and is now studying stenography and typewriting. Mrs. Finn died in 1885, and Mr.
Finn married, second, Jennie 0. Smith, of Marion.
Freeman, Frank R., was born in Nova Scotia August 9, 1859. His father, Samuel,
a general trader at Milton, Nova Scotia, also engaged in West India trade, and repre-
sented the Legislature for twelve years. Frank R. laid the foundation of his education
in the common schools, taking a course of lectures in the Medical School at Halifax,
the Dalhousie University, and in the Massachusetts School of Pharmacy, making a
special study of chemistry and pharmacy. In the spring of 1869 he came to Clyde,
and in connection wiih C. C. Martin purchased the drug store formerly owned by Lyle
Ackerman. In 1894 he bought Mr. Martin's interest and is now carrying on a large
and fine selected stock of imported and domestic drugs. At the age of thirty-one he
married Ellen, daughter of Robert Anderson, of Baddick, Cape Britain, and they have
had two daughters, Amy and Dorothy. Our subject is a s-upporter of educational and
religious institutions.
Finch, Charles H., was born in the town of Butler December 27, 1852. His father.
David S., was a native of the town of Rose, and is now a prominent farmer in Galen.
Charles H. was educated in the district schools, Dr. Sweeting's private school, and
finished at the Falley Seminary, Fulton, N.Y. He afterward returned to his father's
farm and in 1874 came to Clyde and engaged in the clothing business, "remaining two
years. In 1876 he went to Wolcott and established himself in the same business, re-
maining ten years. He then came back to Clyde and purchased the clothing stock of
C. A. Howe, and is now carrying one of the largest and best selected stock of fine
merchant tailoring and gents' furnishing goods in Clyde. At the age of twenty-five he
married Mary, daughter of Dratt Francis, of Butler, and they have one daughter, Maude.
Our subject has lived an active business life, taking an intelligent interest in educational
and religious matters.
Frost, Oscar J., was born April 2, 1844, on the spot where he now resides, and which
was reclaimed from the wilderness by his father, Alanson Frost, who was a pioneer
from Connecticut. Alanson Frost cleared with his own hands most of the 125 acres
now constituting the homestead farm and upon which he erected a log cabin. He was
a pensioner of 1812, and died at the old home December 27, 1867. Oscar was a school
boy. fresh from Falley Seminary, when he enlisted in the famous 9th Heavy Artillery
in August, 1862, and went with them to the front, a sergeant at eighteen. Through all
the perils of Cold Harbor, Monocacy, Cedar Creek, and Winchester, the boy soldier
passed unscathed, and so passed three years in active service. November 27, 1867, he
married Augusta, daughter of John Caywood, of Wolcott, and they have one son,
Alfred W., born March 9, 1869, and now a merchant in New York. Also Bertha M.,
a daughter by adoption, born March 25, 1877. Mr. Frost is now justice of the peace
for the second term.
Everhart, W. H., born in Galen October 27, 1840. His father, Samuel Everhart, a
well and highly respected resident of Galen, is now ninety- two years of age, and his
paternal ancestors were all celebrated for their longevity. W. H. Everhart, who made
farming his principal business, first followed that occupation in Walworth, having only
recently become a citizen of Butler. December 24, 1867, he married Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of Hugh Ross, late of Galen. Their daughter, Alma J., born February 3, 1873, mar-
ried, in 1894, William T. Pethic, of Ontario, and their son, Hugh, born September 1,
1876, is an expert machinist and electrician in the West.
Edwards, D. L., D.D.S., was born in Waterville, March 2, 1864. His father, David
L, Edwards, was a native of Wales and came to the United States in 1849. He was a
FAMILY SKETCHES. 17!)
prominent farmer. D. L. Edwards was educated at the Waterville Union School and
Academy, and in 1890 he entered the Philadelphia Dental College, from which he grad-
uated in 1892. In the same year he came to Clyde and established his dental parlors,
employing the latest and most improved appliances, in all branches of dentistry and using
a special local anesthetic of his own preparation, which has been demonstrated to be
perfectly harmless, as proven by the testimony of the leading people of all parts of
Wayne county. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, and of the Apollo Club.
Emigh, David A., was born in the town of Galen June 22, 1849. His father, Peter,
came from Dutchess county to Wayne county in 1845, and settled in the town of Galen.
His wife was Sarah A., daughter of Beriah Austin of Dutchess county. He died in
1887, aged ninety-one years. David A. was educated in the common schools. At the
age of twenty-five he married Kate C, daughter of Dr. E. J. Schoonmaker, of Tyre,
Seneca county. In 1887 he bought the J. W. Hopkins property of ninety acres, raising
fruit, hay, grain and stock. Our subject is identified in advancing the best interests of
the town.
Everhart, Samuel, was born in Winchester, Northumberland county, Pa., January 25,
1804. His father, Frederick, was a native of Germany, and came to the United States
before 1800. Samuel Everhart married Catherine Foist, and they have six children :
Rebecca A., Margaret, Jane, Henry, William and John. In 1842 he bought the Andrew
Yan Hooven property of 113 acres, raising fruit, hay, grain and stock. Our subject has
been a member of the Presbyterian Church, of Lyons, fifty-six years, and is recognized
as a man of sterling integrity.
Eyer, Henry, was born in the town of Galen November 17, 1848. His father, Fred-
erick, was a native of Germany and came to the United States in 1830. He married
Lanie Links, and died in 1890 aged seventy-two. Henry Eyer was educated in the
common schools, and at the age of twenty-two married Dora E., daughter of Jacob
Rankert, and they have two daughters, Mattie L., and Carrie E. In 1882 he bought the
Israel Phelps property of 208 acres, raising fruit, hay, grain and stock. Our subject is
one of the representative farmers of the town, taking an intelligent interest in educational
and religious matters.
Elliott, Charles, was born in Genesee county August 22, 1834, son of John and Ellen
(Needham) Elliott, he a native of Massachusetts and she of Yermont. They came to
Batavia in 1830, where they died when our subject was a child, and he was reared by
his uncle, James Elliott. He was educated in the common schools, and at the age of
thirty learned the jeweler's trade, which he followed some time. Later he went to
California and engaged in mining, where he remained until 1861. He enlisted in Co. D,
1st Cavalry, California Yols., and served three years. He then returned to Walworth
and in 1864 re-enlisted in Co. F, 3d N. Y. Inf., and served until the close of the war.
He was at the battle of Fort Craig and Red River expedition, served until the close of
the war and three months afterward. He was corporal two years and sergeant most of
the time during the last enlistment. He then returned to Walworth and engaged in
partnership with Mr. Rabe in the boot and shoe business for six years, and since then
has been engaged in the jewelry business. He is overseer of the poor, having held the
office ten years, and was also town clerk two years. He has been trustee of the schools
six years, a member of the Walworth Lodge No. 254, F. & A. M. He married in 1866
Maggie Hartwell, a native of Canada, and daughter of Edwin and Rhoda Hartwell,
natives of Canada. Mr. Elliott and wife have four children : Charles E., born January
2, 1867, educated in Walworth Academy, learned the jeweler's trade with his father,
and is now in business in Williamson. He married in 1892 Libbie Sawyer, of Walworth,
by whom he has one child, Leah E. Jessie, who died in infancy ; Willie, born July 3,
1876, educated in Walworth Academy and resides at home ; and one who died in
infancy.
180 LANDMARKS OP WAYNE COUNTY.
Ely, George S., born in 1836, is the son of the late Alvah and Harriet Elizabeth Ely,
who were Jefferson county farmers, and who reared a family of ten children. Our sub-
ject is the sole living representative of his family in Wayne county, his father having
died in 1877 at the age of seventy-eight, and his mother in 1875, aged seventy-four.
George spent his boyhood and school days in Jefferson county, where he was for ten
years a schoolmate and intimate friend of Roswell P. Flower. In 1859 he married
Mary A., daughter of Thomas Faire, of Depauville, N.Y., and has two children, William
and Amy L.
Dratt, L. H., late of South Butler, was a prominent man in that locality, and repre-
sented the town on the Board of Supervisors in 1888 and 1889. Republican in politics,
he was also for many years a justice of the peace and assessor. He was born in Butler
September 26, 1830, and farming has been his principal occupation. September 11,
1889, he married Helen, daughter of Andrew Piersall, of Savannah. He died Novem-
ber 20, 1893, after a long and painful illness.
De Right, Henry, was born in Williamson, Wayne county, July 22, 1860. He is the
youngest of six sons of Adrian and Magdelena De Right. Henry was reared on the
farm and educated in the schools of Williamson. He came with his parents to Marion,
where he worked on the homestead farm till 1888, when he removed to the farm he
now owes. Mr. De Right has a farm of 124 acres, and carries on general farming and
fruit growing. He and wife are members of the Grange, and he is a member of the
K. 0. T. M. January 15, 1889, he married Lizzie, daughter of Daniel and Mary McGee,
of Palmyra. Mr. and Mrs. De Right have had two sons : Samuel, who died aged one
year, and Weldon.
De Right, Daniel, was born in Williamson, Wayne county, in 1866, the fourth of six
sons of Adrian and Magdalena De Right. He was reared on a farm and commenced
business as farm hand and painting, but soon engaged in the fruit evaporating business,
which he has always followed in connection with farming and fruit growing. He now
owns seventy-six acres of land, which he purchased in 1893, it being a part of the
homestead. He married, Jannary 29, 1893, Elizabeth Brown, of Marion. He is a mem-
ber of the Marion K. O. T. M., also of the Grange. He and wife attend and support
the Christian church, of Marion.
Deright, Hermones D., born in Williamson in 1853, is a son of Adrian and Magdelena
Deright, natives of Holland. The grandfather, Jesse, emigrated from France'to Holland,
where he engaged in farming, fie came to America about 1849, settled in Pultney-
ville, living with one of his sons. The family of seven are all deceased except Cath-
erine, wife of John Putty. Adrian Deright was born in 1815, and came to America
with his parents. He bought and sold several small farms, then bought sixty acres
which he gave to his sons, and bought seventy-seven acres in Marion, He also helped
one of his sons buy a farm of 140 acres. He died in November, 1892. H. D. Deright
commenced work at the age of twenty-one and worked three years. He married
Mary, daughter of Daniel Delass, of East Williamson, by whom he has two sons and
two daughters : Sarah, Adrian, and Minnie, who survive, and Samuel, who died in in-
fancy. Mr. Deright has a farm of 133 acres and is largely engaged in fruit growing.
He has twenty-five acres of apples and three acres each of pears, plums, quinces,
fifteen acres of raspberries. He is a strong temperance advocate, is a member of
Williamson Grange, also of Williamson Tent No. 152, K. 0. T. M.
Dow, Jasper E., was born in Butler in 1836, son of John and Mary Dow, who came
here from Vermont in 1832. John Dow was one of the first settlers at North Wolcott,
purchasing 300 acres at $5 an acre. He died in 1884, leaving six children, and his wife
is yet living at the ripe age of eighty-two years. Jasper's educational advantages were
few, and he was for many years a traveling salesman and a speculator in real estate. In
FAMILY SKETCHES. 181
1872 he bought a saw mill plant near Wolcott, which he still operates, and he has also
commenced the manufacture of spring beds, with every facility for a large production,
October 8, 1859, he married Olive Ash, of Primrose, Wis., and they have one son, John
D., born March 1, 1865, now an employee of the D. & R. G. R. R. at Salida, Colo.
Davis, B. D., born in Orleans county December 9, 1824, was the third of eight chil-
dren of Oliver and Betsey Davis, a native of Montgomery county, N. Y., and emigrated
to Palmyra in 1815, he being eighteen years of age. He went to Orleans county and
after five years returned. to Palmyra, and finally emigrated to Michigan in 1856 where
he died in 1881, and his wife in 1841. He was educated in Marion Academy, learned
the furnace trade, and followed that twelve and the blacksmith trade twenty-six years.
He now owns a farm of eighty-five acres, and lives in the village of Marion. He mar-
ried January 4, 1847, Arvilla Skinner, a native of Marion, by whom he has had four
children : John, Allie, deceased ; Oliver and Emma. He and wife attend the Christian
Church.
Devoe, Daniel, was born in the town of Mentz, Cayuga county October 24, 1837.
His father, Daniel, was a native of St. Lawrence county. The family were of French
and English extraction. Daniel Devoe, sr., died at his son's residence in Clyde in 1893,
aged eighty years. Daniel Devoe, jr., was educated in the common schools, to which
he has added through life by reading and close observation. At the age of twenty-five
he married Mary E., daughter of Henry Miller, and they have three daughters : Mrs.
Stella M. Mead, Mrs. Olga Watson and Florence W. In 1876 he bought the Erastus
Snidecker property of 112 acres, and in 1888 bought the Gideon Ramsdell property of
160 acres in the town of Savannah, raising fruit, hay, grain and stock. Our subject is
one of the representative farmers of his town, taking an intelligent interest in educa-
tional and religious matters.
De Laney, Henry Suydam, was born in the town of Galen April 4, 1826. His father,
Jonathan De'Laney, came to the town of Galen in 1822 and was a prominent farmer,
and justice of the peace of this town. He died in Michigan in 1848 at the age of fifty'.
Henry S.De Laney was educated in the common schools and in 1852 went to California
and with the exception of one short trip east, spent thirteen years in Oregon, Washing-
ton, British Columbia, engaged in mining and mercantile enterprises, returning in 1866.
Dunning, G. W., was born in North East, Dutchess county January 16, 1822. His
father, Samuel, came to Wayne county in 1847, and settled in Lyons. He was born in
Dutchess county in 1789, and died in Lyons in 1876. G. W, Dunning was educated in
the common schools. At the age of twenty-eight he married Phoebe, daughter of
Elisha Barton, of Lyons, and they are the parents of one son, Charles Barton of Lyons.
In 1855 he bought the Judge Churchill property and afterwards bought part of the
Vorhees estate. Our subject is one of the intelligent men of the town, and is identified
in educational and religious matters.
Durfee, Hiram C, of Macedon. was born in the town of Palmyra April 5, 1830. He
is a descendant of the old family of Durfee of Tiverton, R. I. In 1790 Gideon and
Edward Durfee came to Farmington, and in the fall Gideon returned, reporting so
favorably that the whole family resolved to come here. Gideon returned in the winter
of 1790-91 on an ox sled, consuming seventeen and a half days upon the journey.
Gideon located on what was known as Durfee street, a short distance below Palmyra.
The father of our subject, William Durfee, was born May 3, 1800. Hiram C. married
December 21, 1853, Susan M. Lapham, daughter of Richard and Ruth Lapham, also an
old pioneer family of this section. Hiram C. settled on his present place in 1854,
(where his wife was born). Mr. Durfee was elected supervisor, serving during 1880-81.
Mr. and Mrs. Durfee are members of the Friends Church, and own one of the finest
farms in the town.
182 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Deuchler, Plilip, was born in Alsace, Germany, September 14, 1838, came to the
United States in 1855, and settled in Syracuse for five years. After various employ-
ments, he established his present business in Lyons in 18G6. Starting in a small way
with one man, he has increased his force up to the present time, employing from twelve
to fifteen men, and three separate buildings of three stories and basement each, manu-
facturing wagons and sleighs and making a specialty of horse shoeing, and all kinds of
repairing. At the age of twenty-eight he married Dorothy T., daughter of George
Hoppel, and they are the parents of four children : Edward P., Charles H., Albert L.,
and one daughter, Florence. He is a Republican in politics, and has been trustee of the
town. Our subject is one of the most successful business men in Lyons. Self-made
and self-educated his life has been a success, owing to the ability and sterling integrity
of his character.
Dillingham, Delos, was born in Seneca county, August 25, 1846. His father, Will-
iam S., was a native of Wayne county, the family coming from Orange county. Delos
was educated in the common schools, to which he has added through life by reading
and close observation. At the age of twenty-two he married Elizabeth H., daughter of
Thomas F. Stanton of Lyons, and they have had five children, four of whom are now
living: Ora, Clinton D., Mrs. Cairie E. Aldrich and Belle I. Dillingham. In 1876 he
bought the Daniel B. Westfall property of forty-four acres, raising hay, grain and
stock. Our subject is identified in advancing the best interests of the town.
Doty. John Franklin, was born in Huron in 1866, is the son of John Doty a native
of New York, who was a carpenter and farmer. His wife was Mrs. Emeline (Ben-
nett) Stanley, who had two children, Richard and Nettie, wife of Jacob Waldruff. Mr.
and Mrs. Doty have had these children : William Wesley, Delia Ann, wife of Edward
Lasher of Huron, and John F. At the age of sixteen subject began for himself, at
twenty-one purchased the homestead of seventy acres, and in connection with farming
is interested in the evaporating business. In 1888 he married Adelia O, daughter of
Stephen and Lucy (Doolittle) Sherman, of Huron. Mr. and Mrs. Doty are members of
the Huron Grange, and in politics subject is a Republican.
Dowd, Judson H., one of Huron's patriots, was born in Huron August 7, 1843, son
of Watson Dowd who was born in Cheringham, Mass., in 1810. The grandfather,
Asel Dowd, was a native of Massachusetts, who came to Huron in 1825 with his wife
and family of seven children. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. He died in 1878
aged eighty. Watson spent his life as a farmer in Huron. His wife was Harriet,
daughter of Silas Lovejoy of Rose, and their children were : George, Lucy, Ann, Pat-
rick, Mrs. Harriet Wilder of Wolcott, Judson H., and Minnie Quereau of Huron. Our
subject has followed photography for many years in Newark, N. Y., and the Western
States ; since 1876 has resided in Huron on his farm. At the age of seventeen in 1861
he enlisted in Co. E, 10th N. Y. Cavalry, for three years, re-enlisted on the field and
served until the close of the war. Some of the principal engagements in which he par-
ticipated were : Gettysburg, Wilderness, Brandy Station, Chancellorsville, Stoneman's
Raid and Sheridan's raid at South Ann River. He was captured and imprisoned in
Richmond, was transferred to Andersonville, thence to Milan, in all seven months. Of
thirty-two who were captured he was one of three who survived the prison hardships.
He returned to his home nearly a physical wreck. In 1870 he married Cassie Cole,
and their children are : Mrs. Mabel Gillett of Huron; Emma and Lee F. Mr. Dowd
is a member of the G. A. R. Keeslar, Post No. 55 of Wolcott, and has served as town
collector.
Davis, William H.( was a native of Tompkins county, born in 1858. He is the son
of Caleb Davis of Tompkins county. His wife was Jane Church and their children
were: Sarah H., William, James. Frank, Lewis, Lucinda, Anna (deceased), Charles,
Clarence, Jennie and Hattie. He came to Huron in 1861, and here our subject grew
FAMILY SKETCHES. 183
to manhood. In 1880 he purchased the farm where he now lives, in an elegant house,
which he erected in 1892. He is interested in the breeding of fine coach horses and
Jersey cattle, and has twenty-two of these fine horses and colts. Since 1880 he has
been extensively engaged in the apple evaporating business, and in recent years has
dealt in carriages, wagons and harnesses. In 1879 he married Minnie E., daughter of
Alfred and Philena Parker, of Huron, and they have one child, Bennie W., born in
1883. Mr. Davis and wife are members of the Huron Grange P. of H., No. 124, and
in politics our subject is a Republican.
Delling, Albert, was born in North Wolcott in 1849, son of Ira Delling, a native of
Sodus, Wayne county, born in 1823. The grandfather was Rev. Manoah Delling a
native of Maine, who came to Wayne county and settled in the town of Sodus about
1820. Ira at his death in 1855 owned half interest in the Dayton Mills. His wife was
Caroline Delametter, of Columbia county, and their children were : Albert, Frances and
Edgar. At six years of age Mr. Delling went away from home to live, and at sixteen
began work at the blacksmith trade. After seven years he was interested in various
enterprises, from 1890 to 1892, conducted shop in Huron, and in 1893 purchased the
Roswell Reed farm. In 1874 he married Belle Harper of Huron, who died five years
later, and in 1884 he married Ella, daughter of Roswell E., and Almira (Bender) Reed,
pioneers of Huron. Mr. Delling is a member of the Masonic order.
Dunn, James J. (deceased), was born in Sullivan county, NY., January 7, 1822, and
came to Lyons in 1834 with his parents, James Dunn sr., and wife, who purchased 412
acres of land lying south of Lyons. James, jr., was educated in the common schools,
to which he added through life by reading and close observation. At the age of
twenty-nine he married Nancy, daughter of John Mitchell of Galen, and they were
the parents of three children, of whom but one, Amelia, now Mrs. Thomas Smart, is
now living. Our subject died October 31, 1863. at the age of forty-three years. He
was one of the largest farmers in his towu. Mrs. Amelia Smart married Thomas G.
Smart, of Lyons, and they are the parents of one son, James D. Smart.
Dunn, James, was born in Rochester, July 31, 1832. His father, James, was a native
of Scotland. Subject was educated in the common schools. After leaving school he
went to work on a farm by the month. At the age of thirty he married Adelia A.,
daughter of John Rook, and they are the parents of three children: John R., William
A., and Sadie Belle. In 1866 he bought the Thomas Roo< farm of seventy-nine acres,
in 1883 bought the Thomas Stanton farm of fifty-seven acres, and in 1885 bought the
William Miller property of thirty-eight acres, having 143 acres of some of the best
farming land, raising large amounts of hay, grain, and stock. Our subject is one of the
leading farmers in his town, taking an active interest in educational and religious mat-
ters, a member of the M. E. church of Lyons forty years.
Doolittle, Miss Franc, born at Butler in 1846, is the daughter of the late George
Doolittle, who was at various times during his life recipient of political honors, holding
the offices of assessor, justice, and supervisor. His wife, Thankful, left three daugh-
ters, of whom Franc is the youngest. Educated at Leavenworth Institute, she first
engaged in business with an elder sister at Howell, Mich., spending thirteen years
there. In 1883 she came to Wolcott and established a millinery business at No. 51
East Main street, where she now employs five assistants, and besides a large local busi-
ness, shipping finished goods to the far West.
Clark, William H., was born in Williamson February 27, 1816, a son of Hubbard and
Sarah (Mallory) Clark, natives of Groton, Conn., who came West, and spent their last days
in Albion, Mich. The grandfather of William H. was Roswell, a native of Groton,
Conn, and a soldier in the War of the Revolution, his son, the father of our subject,
having been in the war of 1812. William H. was educated in the Palmyra Academy,
184 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
and has always followed farming, with the exception of four years, when he carried
the mail from Palmyra to Porterville, and four years in the brewery business in Roches-
ter. In 1840 he married Sibyl Swan, of Hartland, Vt., and daughter of Col. Edward
Swan, who fought in the war of 1812 and died at the home of our subject in On-
tario. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have had five children, all now living: Edward, Sibyl,
Austin H., Mary, John P., all residing in Ontario. Mr. Clark came here in 1840. He
owned 275 acres of land, but has given his children homes, and now owns but fifty
acres, forty-three acres being near the village. He has interested himself largely in
selling lots in the village, building houses, etc., for sale. He is a Republican in politics,
having voted for the two Harrisons. Mrs. Clark died March 11, 1890.
Casey, A. W.. was born in Nassau, Rensselaer county, December 5, 1814, the oldest
of ten children of Adam and Lucy (Larrabee) Casey, the former born in 1778, and the
latter in 1789. The father of Adam was Jesse, a native of Rhode Island, and one of
the first settlers of Nassau, where he died March 22, 1867, and his wife July 1, 1868.
The father of Lucy Larrabee was Richard, who served throughout the Revolution, and
the war of 1812. A. W. Casey was educated in the common schools, and followed the
blacksmith's trade for some time. In 1853 he came to Ontario and worked at the
same trade, but in 1867 took up farming, now owning 100 acres of land. He has
been a life-long Democrat, has served as justice of the peace for sixteen years, justice
of sessions six years, and postmaster about six years, first holding office under Buchan-
an. May 12 1836, he married Harriet A. Quinby, a native of Nassau, born January
26, 1819, and a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Lyon) Quinby. Mr. and Mrs. Casey have
had these children : Mary E.. born October 1, 1837 ; Lucy A, born November 22, 1839 ;
Charles H., born January 5, 1842; Daniel A., born January 4, 1844; Harriet E., born
May 18, 1847 ; Phoebe A., born July 11, 1849 ; Harriet A., born July 29, 1855; Ella S.,
born October 27, 1857. Harriet E. died April 28, 1852; Harriet A. died September 22,
1856; Ella S. died May 27, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Casey have been married fifty- eight
years and have eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His grandfather
was James Quinby, and the father of the latter was Ephraim Quinby, who lived to the
age of 106 years, seven months and ten days, and voted at the age of 103, also walking
three miles in one day.
Cole, Lafayette, deceased, was born in Palmyra in 1847, and spent his life on the farm
where he was born, and on which his father, Marcus Cole, had located many years pre-
vious, the place being three and one-half miles north of Palmyra. La Fayette married
Catharine McDermott, a native of Pennsylvania, and their children are: William, born
in 1865; Myron, born in 1867, the former residing on the home farm and the latter
in the village of Marion. Mr. Cole died in 1890, and his widow resides on the home
farm with her son.
Cole, Frank W., was born in Bellevue, Mich., in 1853. His family came originally
from New York State, and his father, William P., for forty years was a well known
nurseryman in Western New York. In 1871 Mr. Cole graduated from the Lockport
Union school, and commenced newspaper work on the Youngstown, O., Miner and
Manufacturer in 1872. He was next at Hamilton, Canada, on the Spectator, later was
connected with the Lockport Union. In conjunction with John M. Ives, he bought out
the Brockport Democrat. When he left this he started a paper at Spencerport, where
he remained for five years, then for four years was connected with the Rochester Post-
Express. In 1885 he started the Palmyra Democrat and was so successful that he
afterward enlarged it from four to eight pages. Its circulation is now said to be about
1,700. It is printed in a commodious building of four floors with basement, owned by
Mr. Cole. A complete job printing department is also in connection. Mr. Cole has had
considerable to do in shaping the political affairs of the county, and has been a pronounced
Hill Democrat. He has served on the county committee, and in other ways has made
his influence felt. In 1872 he married Miss Doddman, of Hamilton, Canada, and three
FAMILY SKETCHES. is.",
children grace his household : George J., who assists in the Democrat office, Ruby and
Minnie. He is a fine oarsman and has rowed with Hosmer, Hanlon and others. He
has been manager of the Palmyra Opera House. Mr. Cole does a great deal of corres-
pondence for the New York papers, and keeps in touch with the times on popular
questions. He has also spoken considerably during political campaigns, and can both
tell a funny story and make a pointed argument. Mr. Cole has now disposed of the
Palmyra Democrat, and is connected with the Horse World of Buffalo.
Coates, John C, a native of Macedon, was born in 1847, residing on the farm with
his parents until they came to Palmyra, and in 1856 moved to Neponset, 111., where his
father, William Coates, died in November, 1856. The latter was a native of Yorkshire,
England, and the mother, Christiana (Chapman) Coates, came from the same country.
William came to Palmyra from England about 1844, and a few years later married and
settled on a farm. They had only one child, our subject, who was educated at the dis-
trict and Class Union schools and in 1876 engaged in the livery business. This he con-
ducted three years, and in May, 1881 was appointed railway postal clerk from Syracuse
to New York, soon after taking charge of the fast mail between those points. In
August, 1889, he was appointed post-office inspector, and assigned to the New York
division, which position he still holds. January 9, 1884, he married Bertha Bushnell,
and they have one child, Francis William, born April 25, 1887.
Cole, Romain H., is one of Huron's prominent young men, born in Covert, Seneca
county, in 1848, a son of Ogden Cole, a native of New Jersey, who was a son of Daniel
Cole. Ogden was a farmer by occupation, and followed that vocation all his life. His
wife was Clarinda, daughter of Elkanah Smith, of the town of Rose, and they raised
two children : John E., and Romain H. Subject was educated in music and in 1871
came to Huron and taught music. In 1873 he built a store in North Rose and engaged in
the mercantile business ; two years later purchased a half interest in the farm of his father-
in-law, Benjamin Catchpole. In 1878 he engaged with R. A. Catchpole and William Gat-
chell in the apple business and in 1880-82 he engaged in the wood business with R. A.
Catchpole and John Buerman, known as Catchpole, Buerman & Cole. In 1884-85 in com-
pany with James M. Streeter, he was interested in the malting business in Clyde, since
which time he has devoted his attention to the farm and premises, with his father-in-law.
In 1875 he married Susan Catchpole. He is a Republican, and while in North Rose
served as justice of the peace and postmaster. He and his wife are members of the
Huron Grange Lodge No. 124.
Catchpole, Benjamin, commonly called '' Uncle Ben," is one of Huron's prominent
and highly successful citizens, a native of England, born May 16, 1826. He is the son of
James Catchpole, who was a farmer. He came to Geneva with his family in 1835, a
few years later he removed to Huron and purchased the farm in lot 109, where his son
James now lives. He died in 1882 at the age of ninety years. His wife was Susan
Knights, and their children were : Susan, wife of Thomas T. Smith, of Geneva; Ann,
wife of Edward Thomas, of Geneva ; Jemima, wife of John S. Smith, of Huron ; James,
Benjamin, Mary, Hobart A. deceased, and Matilda. At an early age our subject began
life's battles, in 1845 he accompanied his employer, Gideon Lee, to Texas, where he
spent two years hunting. While there he witnessed the final funeral ceremony of Sam
Houston, Davy Crockett and Steve Bowie. He returned and purchased land in
Huron, in company with his brothers and John S. Smith, known as Catchpole & Co.,
and engaged extensively in the manufacture of lumber. They cleared 800 acres, sold
the mill, later divided the land, and has since devoted his time to farming. In 1887 he
and his son-in-law purchased fifty-seven acres of the R. R. Lummis estate, which they
transformed to a beautiful summer resort, popularly known as Bonnicastle, and which
is situated on the east side of great Sodus Bay. They are interested in the apple cul-
ture, having fifty acres. In May, 1853, our subject married Hannah M., daughter of
186 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Randall and Eunice (Williams) Comstock, born in 1833, and they have one child, Susan
B., wife of Romain H. Cole. Mr. and Mrs. Catchpole are members of the Huron
Grange Lodge No. 124. Our subject is a Republican, and the active interest he has
taken in elections is well known. He is the oldest member of the Rochester Gun Club,
and is the oldest participant in the State shoot.
Carver, George L., jr., was born in Lyons September 26, 1851. His father, George
W., was also born in the town, and is one of its most prominent business representa-
tives. George L. was educated in the Lyons Union school and finished at Detroit, after
leaving which he went into the hardware business with Col. William Kreutzer, con-
tinuing two years, afterward engaging in various small enterprises. In 1880 went into
the flour and feed business in Lyons, in Center building on Williams street. In 1889
he erected the Joppa Roller Flour Mills, making a specialty of graham and buckwheat
flour, where he is now engaged in business. In 1890 took the contract to build the
highway through the marshes between Lyons and Galen for the sum of $7,500. At
the age of twenty-eight he married Kate P., daughter of Asaph Waterman, of Lyons,
and they have one son, George W. Our subject is one of the leading men in his busi-
ness and is identified in advancing the best interests of his town, being recognized as a
man of sterling integrity and worth.
Cronise, Samuel, was born in Arcadia January 8, 1833. His father, Henry, was a
native of Frederick county, Maryland, came to Wayne county in 1808, and purchased
a farm in what was then the town of Sodus, now Arcadia. He died in 1870 at the age
of eighty-one. Samuel was educated in the common schools to which he has added
through life by reading and close observation, being a self-made and self-educated man.
At the age of twenty-seven he married Jane E., daughter of Martin Fredenberg, and
they have had two children : Nettie, who died in infancy ; and Elbert, who died at
sixteen years of age, was a young man of brilliant promise and sterling character. In
1883 he moved from his farm in Arcadia to Lyons, where he engaged in contracting
and building, and in 1881 in connection with Stephen Reals erected the block on the
corner of Geneva and Elmer streets, known as the Cronise & Reals block. In 1889 he
was elected overseer of the poor, in which he has made a record for ability and honest
service, saving his town large sums of money each year.
Carver, George W., was born in the city of Albany March 6, 1831. His father,
George W., came to Lyons in 1838, remaining until 1839 when he went to Toronto, where
he died at forty-two years of age. George W. was educated in Lyons, and at the
Academy in Lima. After leaving school he learned the silver plater's trade, following
it twelve years, and was then forced to give up the business on account of his eyesight.
He was elected constable and served fifteen years, deputy marshal and deputy provost-
marshal, making a specialty of the private detective business, and was the means of
breaking up the Loomis gang of horse thieves and robbers, arresting Clark, alias Tom
Alvord, a noted horse thief, a man by the name of Belcher and two of the Loomises,
whom he landed single handed in Wayne county jail. In 1869 he was appointed deputy
revenue assessor of the towns of Lyons and Galen, and afterwards of all the towns of
the eastern assembly district, was also appointed deputy revenue collector. In 1874 he
was appointed keeper of the Wayne County Poor House and Insane Asylum, remaining
there until 1885, erecting the larger part of the present buildings under his administra-
tion. In 1888 he was appointed police justice, serving three years. Our subject has
lived one of the most active lives of any man in the town, identified in advancing its
best interests and the leading events of the day, where he is recognized as a man of
sterling integrity and moral worth.
Cady, Stephen P., was born in the town of Lyons, May 12, 1844, a son of Lorenzo,
whose father, Philo, was a native of Columbia county, who later removed to Wayne
county and settled near Lyons. His wife was Fannie Parks, and their children were :
FAMILY SKETCHES. 1*7
Lorenzo, Sarah Ann, and Edwin. Lorenzo was born in Columbia county in 1823, and
the following year his father removed to Galen, and here he grew to manhood, remain-
ing on his father's farm until about 1856, when he removed to Huron and bought the
Major Sheldon farm of 150 acres, on which he spent the remainder of his days. He
married Almira, daughter of Stephen Ferguson, and they had six children: Stephen P.,
Fannie J., wife of Joseph Chapin, of Huron; Zachary Taylor, Chauncey, who died in
infancy ; Martha, who died aged eight years ; and Lura, wife of Charles Reed, of
Buffalo. Mr. Cady died in 1870, and his wife in March. 1891. Stephen P. Cady was
reared on the farm and educated in the common schools and Wolcott and Sodus
Academies. At the age of twenty-one he bought a farm adjoining his father's, and
later purchased a part of his father's farm, now owning 135 acres, which he leases.
In 1864 he married Amanda, daughter of Thomas J. and Almira (Bender) Sherman, of
Huron, where she was born in 1839, her only sister being Philena, wife of Alfred
Parker, of this town. Her father was killed by a runaway team when she was a child,
and her mother married, second, Roswell E. Reed, by whom she had seven children.
Mr. Cady is a Republican in politics.
Church, Adonijah, was born in Huron, March 6, 1827, the son of Noah B. Church, of
Massachusetts, whose father was Osgood Church, a surveyor, who was prominent in
the early history of Huron. Noah B. was justice of the peace for eight years. His
wife was Ann Burghdorf, and their children were: Alanson, Francis, Adonijah, Mary,
Nancy, Martha, and Lamira. Our subject is a farmer. In 1870 he was appointed
keeper of the State prison at Sing Sing, N.Y., and a year later, by his request, was
transferred to the same position at Auburn. In March, 1858, he married Josephine
Thomas, and their children are : Byron, Mary B., and Anna, wife of Fred Fowler, of
Throopsville, N.Y. His second wife was Catherine Waldron, of Huron, whom he mar-
ried in 1879. He and his wife are members of the Wolcott Grange. Our subject was
overseer of the poor one term, and is now one of the excise commissioners. He is
also a Mason.
Creque, Arvin H., was born in Wolcott November 1, 1853, is the son of Herman C.
Creque, a native of Trumansburg, Tompkins county, and a blacksmith by trade. He
married Mabel, a daughter of Allen Pease, of the same place, and came to Wolcott
in 1830. They had nine children : Allen P., Andrew J., H. M., Eliza G., Homer C,
John W., Arvin H., Clarissa S., and Hetty C. The grandfather of our subject, John
Creque, was of French aucestry. Our subject started for himself at the age of twenty-
five in the farming business. In 1885 he moved to Huron and purchased the farm where
he now resides, making a specialty of fruit raising. In March, 1878, he married Carrie
A., daughter of Harry Clapper, of the town of Rose. She is one of five children. Mr.
and Mrs. Creque are members of the Wolcott Presbyterian church, both being officers
and teachers of the Sabbath school. They are also members of the Wolcott Grange, P.
of H., No. 348, of which Mr. Creque is chairman of the finance committee. Mrs.
Creque officiates in this lodge as Pomona and is a member of the choir. In politics
subject is a Republican.
Clark, C. W., of Macedon, was born at the Center Jannary 23, 1856. Arsel Clark,
his father, was a native of Vermont, and a son of Hubbard Clark, also of Vermont, who
finally settled in Michigan. Arsel married Pauline Bancroft for his second wife, and
their only child was our subject. The latter has always followed farming, and now owns
a place in Macedon Center of ninety-two acres, doing general farming, and up to 1892
also carried on a dairy. He married Ida B. Eldredge, of Penfield, a daughter of Charles
D. Eldredge, and they have had three children : George A., Laura P., and Vernie, who
died aged nine months. Our subject has held several offices in the town. He is a mem-
ber of the Knights of S. F. A., and in politics is a Republican.
Chapman, Robert, was born in England September 18, 1820. His father, John
188 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Chapman, was a native of England, born in 1798. He married Ann Wilson, and they
were the parents of two children, Robert and Christiana, who married a Mr. Coats and
died at the age of forty-five. John Chapman, the father, came with his family to this
country in 1830, and settled first in Macedon, then moved to Walworth and finally to
Palmyra, where he died at the age of sixty-four. He has always been engaged in
farming, his son also following the same occupation. Robert Chapman is now the
possessor of 100 acres of land. In 1847 he married Ann Wigglesworth, of Macedon,
and they were the parents of four children: Anna, William, Christiana, and John. The
two daughters are deceased. The youngest son, John, is traveling salesman for the
Garlock Packing Company of Palmyra. Mr. Chapman is a member of the Episcopal
church. In politics he is a Republican.
Coniff, John, of Macedon, born in Ireland, June 23, 1836, and came to the United
States with his parents in 1846, being ten years of age at that time. He was one of
five children of Patrick and Mary Coniff, all of whom settled here. Patrick was a
blacksmith by trade and this he followed one year, then bought a small place of two
acres with a house, added six acres, and after a time sold out and bought sixty acres.
This he also sold, and bought ninety acres, which he finally disposed of and resided
with his son, our subject, who bought fifty- five acres near the village, which he worked
seven years, then sold to his brother Barney, and now owns 106 acres all under cultiva-
tion. In 1863 he married Bridget McCue, of Rochester, and they have six children:
Burnett, Arthur J., Maggie, Nellie, Eliza and John. Burnett is married and living in
Farmington. Our subject is a member of the Catholic Church, and a Democrat in
politics.
Cogswell, Hiram S., was born in Marion November 16, 1817, the oldest of six born
to Joseph S. and Sarah E. (Smith) Cogswell. Joseph S. was born in Rhode Island,
September 9, 1797 and died in 1887. His wife was born November 15, 1798, and died
January 25, 1845. Our subject was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools,
and has followed farming. He spent most of his life in Marion on his farm of 245
acres. He came to Williamson in 1882, and also owns 135 acres of land near the vil-
lage. He has taken an active interest in the politics of the day. He and his wife are
members of the Baptist Church, and he has always been a temperance advocate.
He married February 17, 1841, Ruth Putnam, born in Walworth, November 25, 1821,
by whom he had three children; Agatha E., born November 12, 1842, who died
September 2, 1847; Marvin, born December 9, 1851; and Elistine D., born October 16,
1854, who died June 9, 1863. Marvin married first, Emma Thompson, who died No-
vember 22, 1886, and second Julia Pontie. He was educated in the New York In-
stitute for Deaf Mutes. Mrs. Cogswell died March 31, 1891, and in 1892 he married
Ophelia M. Huggins, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Jonathan and Jane A. (Put-
nam) Huggins, natives of Cornish, Mass., and of Walworth, N. Y., respectively. Mr.
Huggins died in 1876 and his wife in 1881. Ruth Putnam, wife of our subject, and
Jane A. Putnam, mother of his present wife, were sisters, their father being Stephen
Putnam, an early settler of Walworth, and a direct descendant of Israel Putnam. Mr.
Cogswell assisted in drawing lumber from Marion for the building of the first railroad
in the State of New York.
Cornelius, John, born in Holland in 1837, is the son of Adam and Sarah Cornelius,
who reared a family of six children now living. They both died in Holland. Subject
was reared on a farm and afterward engaged as sailor, but has been a farmer since he
came to Wayne county. He came to Palmyra in October, 1867, and to Williamson in
1875. He now owns 150 acres of land and follows general farming and fruit raising,
also mint and onions. Mr. Cornelius married in 1867 Cora Scotchman, a native of Hol-
land, by whom he has these children : Adrian, Mary, John, Sarah, Cora, Jacob and
Peter. The father of Mrs. Cornelius was John Scotchman a native of Holland, where
he died. Mr. Cornelius and family are members of the Reformed Church.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 189
Cole. Salathiel A., was a son of Welcome Cole, who died in 1883, aged ninety-two
years. He was a prominent figure among the pioneer settlers of Butler. It was largely
by his own efforts that nearly 500 acres of arable land were reclaimed from the prime-
val forest. The old homestead in central Butler, which was the theatre of his life
work is now jointly owned by his sons, Salathiel and Harlow, who were born here the
oldest in 1827. Some cylinders of basswood cut by Welcome Cole, seventy-five years
ago, are still in use for the storage of grain. Salathiel married Mary Chamber] in of
Auburn, in 1880.
Calkins, Clarissa V., widow of the late Hudson Calkins, who was born in Butler in
1840. They were married in 1862, and they had two children, Hattie and Frank. Mr.
Calkins went to the front in 1862, as second lieutenant Company G, 9th Artillerv, and
served with honor until the close of the war. He died in 1872. Clarissa Calkins is the
daughter of F. H. Moore, who with his parents came from Connecticut in 1810 with a
team of oxen. He was then five years of age and lived in the town of Butler for eighty
years after. His wife who was born in Massachusetts in 1811, survived him until 1894.
Creager, William, was born in Galen December 26, 1836. His father, William, was
a native of Fredericksburg, Md., came to Wayne county in 1785, and settled on lot 93
where his descendants now reside, the property having been in the family for more
than 100 years. He died in 1837, aged forty-nine years. He married Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of John Barrick. William Creager was educated in the common schools, and at the
age of twenty-seven married Lucina I ., daughter of David Closs, by whom he had two
children, Mrs. Belle Sutterby and David Gr. Creager. In 1881 he bought the old home-
stead of 100 acres, raising mint, fruit, hay, grain and stock. Our subject is one of the
representative farmers of his town, elected assessor for three years, and takes an active
interest in school and church matters.
Clouse, Charles, was born in the town of Arcadia November 28, 1859. His father
was a native of Alsace, Germany, and came to the United States in 1850. He married
Magdalena Brock, and died in 1888, aged seventy-one years. Charles Clouse was edu-
cated in the common schools, and a the age of twenty- three married Mary A., daugh-
ter of Charles A. Bremner, by whom he has two sons, Irving and Frank. In 1882 he
bought the Levanway property of 103 acres, raising fruit, hay, grain and stock. Our
subject is one the representative farmers in Wayne county, and takes an active interest
in educational and religious matters.
Crane, Zebina, born in Marion July 20, 1818, is the oldest of two children of Jacob
G., and Parmelia (Dexter) Crane. Mr. Crane came to Marion with his parents, Zebina
and Mary E. Crane in 1804, and here Zebina died in 1820, and his wife died in Illinois
in 1840. Jacob G. was a farmer, and was poormaster of the town. He and his wife
are both dead. He married twice afterward, his second wife being Mary Carr, by
whom he had two children now living. His third wife was Ann Smith, and they had
two children now living. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the com-
mon schools. He has always been a farmer, and owns 110 acres. He has been high-
way commissioner. He was married twice, first January 17, 1844, to Hannah Peer,
daughter of Thomas Peer, an early settler of Williamson. Mr. Crane and wife had four
children De Witt C, Emily P., Alonzo B., and Mary. Mrs. Crane died in 1875, and
Mr. Crane married Mariana Cogswell, daughter of Giles Cogswell, a native of Rhode
Island and one of the early settlers of Williamson. His wife was Parmelia Sanford.
Mr. Cogswell died in Marion in 1874, aged eighty-four, and his wife in 1864. They
had ten children, of whom six are living : Eliza J. Eggleston, wife of subject and twin
sister Marietta, Richmond P., Almond G, and Marnett H.
Clark, Samuel, of English stock, came to Palmyra and located about 1790, having
three sons: Samuel, jr., who removed to Michigan with his family about 1840; Ben-
190 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
jamin, and Oliver, the latter two buying land together one mile north of East Palmyra.
This farm was afterward divided, Benjamin taking the north and Oliver the south
part. Here Benjamin died, also his daughters, one granddaughter removing to the
West in 1840. Oliver was born February 14, 1767, and died January 21, 1843. He
came from Long Island about 1794, and was a tailor, having a farm just across the
creek from East Palmyra. Of his three sisters who settled and married here, one be-
came the wife of Gabriel Rogers, and later removed to Sodus. She was the mother
of B. R. and James, of Lyons, and Erastus, of Sodus. Another sister married Sol-
omon Franklin, and, after his death, Luther Sandford. The other sister married a Mr.
Soverhill, of Arcadia, and had two sons, Joel and Hiram. Oliver married Sarah
Jessup, of Long Island, who died January 8, 1823. Their children were: Maltby, born
March 31, 1798; Matilda, born June 3, 1800, who died April 2, 1827; Jerry, born Sep-
tember 16, 1802, of Orleans county ; Dennis, born March 21, 1805 ; Nelson, born May
7, 1807; Betsey, born December 5, 1810; Hannah, born February 14, 1812; and Hiram,
born April 29, 1814, died January 11, 1835. The mother of these children died January
8, 1823, and Oliver married, second, Susan Romeyn in 1828, who died in 1857. Maltby,
the oldest of the family, who died in 1875, married Maria Mason, who died in 1822,
and, second, Jerusha Jagger, by whom he had eight children : Henry M., born March
6, 1826 ; Maria M., born January 25, 1829; Abigail J., born November 3, 1831 ; Har-
riet E., born August 8, 1834 ; Nelson, born March 23, 1837 ; Lucius H., born December
8, 1840; Oliver N., born January 31, 1846; and Mary E., born January 28, 1850.
Maltby served in various town offices, was superintendent of the poor nine years, and
was a Republican. Henry M. Clark resided with his parents until the age of twenty-
one, when he married, April 3, 1850, Frances A. Foster, a native of Palmyra, and
their children are : Edwin H., born January 3, 1852, who resides near his father ;
George W., born July 26, 1853, died September 30, 1875 ; Julia F.', born August 14,
1856, who married Edwin F. White. Henry Clark began married life on his grand-
father's farm, remaining four years, then bought fifty-four acres, which he afterwards
sold and bought the place where he now resides. He is a Republican, and has served as
supervisor and member of Assembly, being elected to the latter office in 1874. The
family are Presbyterians, and he has been clerk of the Presbytery of Lyons for twenty-
four successive years.
Converse, Charles, was born in Cayuga connty in 1827, son of Josiah Converse, a native
of Allegany county, whose father was Samuel Converse, a farmer. The father of our
subject was also a farmer. His wife was Betsey Laberrux, and they have seven chil-
dren. At the age of twenty-one our subject went to Michigan, soon after returned
and erected a steam saw mill in Cayuga county and engaged in the manufacture of
lumber. In 1852 he came to Huron, and for some years followed coopering. Since
then he has devoted his time to farming and is a prosperous farmer, owning several
farms and fifty acres of the homestead in which he was born. In 1854 he married
Demorah Schofield, of Onondaga county, and they have one child, Eliza, wife of
Charles Davis, of Huron.
Chapin, Spencer E., was born in Huron in 1845. His father, Harlow, also born in
Huron in 1822, is the son of Spencer Chapin, a native of Massachusetts, whose father
was Phineas Chapin, of Massachusetts, who came to Huron in 1811 with his wife and
six children, and was killed the following year by the fall of a tree. He was the first
man born in Huron. Harlow was a thrifty and successful farmer. His wife was
Fannie Reed, and their children were: Spencer E., Joseph R., Charles E., Frank H.,
Ella L., wife of Rev. Matthew Gafney, of Manlius, Onondaga county ; Edgar W., Har-
low and Fannie (twins). Mr. Chapin began farming when twenty-one years of age.
From 1875 to 1879 he was interested in a barrel and stave factory in Huron. In 1877
he purchased his present farm, and since 1890 has been engaged in the manufacture of
lumber. In 1867 he married Etta L. Persons, born in Berkshire county, Mass., in 1847,
and they have one child, Gertie, wife of George Hatcher, of Huron.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 191
Church, William 0., is the only son of the late Hiram Church, who was a pioneer of
Wolcott, a successful business man, of liberal views and wide information. He came
from Massachusetts to Wolcott when two years of age with his father, Osgood Church
who was the first supervisor of Wolcott. He died in 1889, at the age of eighty-four
years. He was born February 22, 1847. William 0. Church graduated from Falley
Seminary in 1865, and two years later entered into partnership with his father. He
was for many years a prime mover in the large mercantile interests of Wolcott, but is
now retired from active business. He married in 1867 Sarah E., daughter of Professor
Bragdon, of Lima. N. Y., and their only child, Belle B., born February 16, 1876, died
in infancy. •
Catchpole, James, was born in England in March, 1825, the son of James and Susan
Catchpole, who came to America in 1835. Their children are : Mrs. Susan Smith, of
Geneva; Mrs. Ann Thomas, of Geneva; Jerimia Smith, of Huron; Benjamin, Mary
Ann, Robert, and Matilda. In 1844 they came to Huron and settled on the farm now
owned by our subject. Mr. Catchpole was at an early date in partnership with his
brothers, Benjamin and Robert, and John Smith engaged extensively in the manufac-
ture of lumber. They built the lake boats called Charger and Catchpole, and they also
built a storehouse in North Rose, and dealt in produce for many years. For several
years our subject has devoted his attention to farming on the homestead of 118 acres,
where he now resides with his sisters, Mary Ann. and Matilda.
Curtis, Omar M., was born May 9, 1867, son of the well known veteran soldier and
merchant, George B. Curtis. He was educated at Albany, and upon reaching his
majority, took charge of the foundry and machine shop, known as the Curtis Deoxy-
dized Plow Works, manufacturers and dealers in agricultural implements, probably
the largest and oldest firm in the country in this line. This firm makes a specialty of
Land Rollers, and of the Giant Fruit Dryer, possessing characteristic and unique points
of merit, largely due to the inventive genius and business energy of Omar M. Curtis.
Carrier, Amaziah T., son of Amaziah and Wealthy Carrier, was born in Brutus,
Cayuga county. One of a family of five children, deprived of a father's care while a
mere boy — he early learned the lessons of patient toil and economy, and developed
those sterling qualities of character, which gave him in future years the esteem of all
who knew him. He married in 1831 Lois J. Bottum, of Conquest, Cayuga county, N.
Y. Their early married life was spent in the near vicinity, till in 1844 he purchased a
farm in Rose, one mile east of the present village of North Rose. There for twenty
years, he, his wife and a family of five children, assimilated themselves into the life of
the community around them. Members of the Methodist Church their home became
the half-way house of the itinerating clergy, and the center of the social life around
them. In November, 1859, the first sorrow overshadowed the home, in the death of the
eldest daughter, Mary, a beautiful girl of nineteen years. Then came to the sixties,
those years that covered our whole broad land with blood and tears — and when as of
old it might be said "there was not a house where there was not one dead." The old-
est son, William Seward, caught the patriotic fire, and seeing only his country's danger,
turned his back upon his school life at Lima Seminary, without title or bounty, and
marched southward with the 10th Regiment N. Y. Vol. Cavalry, Company E. The
rigors of camp life proved too severe for the student, and August 3, 1862, at the hos-
pital in Baltimore his brave young life went out. aged twenty-four years — only one of
the numberless thousands who "counted not his life dear unto himself." The second
son, Elbert, a practicing physician in Syracuse, died August 3, 1870, aged twenty-eight
years. In 1864 Mr. Carrier exchanged his property in Rose for a home in Wolcott.
Failing health caused him to retire from active labor, and June 15, 1872, he passed
away. Mrs. Carrier still occupies the home in Wolcott. Two daughters are living —
Ellen J., wife of George Aldrich, North Rose, with one son, J. Clarence ; and Lettie,
192 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
wife of Rev. B. A. Partridge, member of Central N. Y. M. E. Conference, and their
only daughter Ethlyn.
Cuyler, John H., was born in Orleans county, in 1826. His father, Abram, a promi-
nent man of affairs in his day, settled here in 1833. Our subject has been identified
with various industries in this locality in early years; was the first producer of barrel
staves in Wolcott, but since 1854 has devoted himself to farming and has for a quarter
of a century occupied a house on a farm of 150 acres. March 16, 1854, he married
Cordelia, daughter of Nelson De Vinney, a merchant of Newark. They have three
children, Ella, Nelson and Id^i. Ella has been a teacher since the age of seventeen, and
it is due to her efforts as orignator and promoter of the idea that the excellent library
at District No. 3 must be ascribed. The library is conducted upon a sound business
basis, and its value as an educational factor is thereby enhanced and prolonged.
Founded in 1888, it consists at present of nearly one hundaed volumes of educational
and historical works.
Cosad, Samuel, the popular and efficient commissioner of schools in the first district
of Wayne county, was born December 24, 1855, in the town of Junius, Seneca county.
His father was James M. Cosad, who was born in Somerset county, N. J., in 1810, and
who removed with h's parents to Seneca county in 1819. He married first Elizabetn
Stout, and had two children : Cassie Robinson, and George Combe. He married sec-
ond, Catharine Stout, born in Arcadia in 1818, a sister of his first wife, and had two
children, Frank and Samuel. James M., who was a farmer, removed from Junius to
Huron in 1856, where he resided till his death, August 15, 1893. He was a very suc-
cessful business man and accumulated a large property, consisting of about 600 acres
of valuable lands, which, before his death, he divided among his three surviving chil-
dren. Samuel received such an education as was obtainable in the common schools,
supplemented by two years attendance at Leavenworth Institute, Wolcott, and was one
year at Sodus Academy, after which he spent three years in teaching and then entered
upon the study of law with Senator Thomas Robinson at Clyde, N. Y. These studies
were continued for two years, and were then interrupted by the necessity of aiding his
father in the management of his farms. He early took an active part in politics, being
a Republican, and when but twenty-two was made town clerk of Huron, to which po-
sition he was thrice elected. In 1886 he was chosen supervisor, and for seven years
represented the town of Huron in the County Legislature. In 1892-93 he was chair-
man of that body. His advocacy of economical and reformatory measures made him
an especial favorite with his constituency, and in the fall of 1893 was elected school
commissioner of the first district of Wayne county. In 1888 he married Ida E. Smith
of Galen, by whom he had one daughter, Lillian, born January 22, 1893. Mr. Cosad is
at present residing in the village of Wolcott to which place he removed in the spring
of 1894 that he might devote his whole time to the discharge of his duties as commis-
sioner of schools. And while at present a resident of that village, his whole life has
been so closely identified with the town of Huron and its interests that it is proper that
his biography should appear among the citizens of that town.
Van Duzer, Z. A., was born in the town of Macedon, April 25, 1833. Caleb Van
Duzer, father of the above, was born in Orange county, N. Y., in 1800. He came to
the town of Macedon when four years of age, settling one-half mile east of Macedon
Centre, where he engaged in farming and speculating. He married Lydia Maloney,
aud of this marriage were born five children, the youngest being Z. A. Van Duzer.
Z. A. Van Duzer has been engaged in farming all his life and has acquired a large
amount of valuable property. In connection with his farm he also has a fine dairy bus-
iness. He is a member of the Baptist Church and of the Masonic fraternity, Macedon
Lodge, No. 665. In politics he is a Republican.
Vought, Nicholas, wholesale and retail dealer in coal, lime, fertilizers, picket and
FAMILY SKETCHES. L93
wire fences, at Wolcott, with office and storehouse near the R. W. & 0. R. R. depot,
is the second son of David and Maria (Apham) Vought, of Huron, where he was born
in 1848. Mrs. Maria Vought still lives upon the old homestead farm in Huron, which
is operated by the oldest son, A. U. Vought. Nicholas Vought spent his early years in
Huron, chiefly engaged in farming, and acquired his present business by purchase from
David De Mell in 1891. His wife, Emma L., is a daughter of Hugh Green, of Wolcott.
They were married January 23, 1873, and have one daughter, Ina L. Mr. Vought is
commander of Wolcott Lodge, Knights of S., F, and I.
Van Der Veer, H. E., was born in Montgomery county, N. Y., April 27, 1843, the
only child of G. Van Der Veer and M. Allen, the former born May 9, 1813, and the
latter June 24, 1814. The grandfather of our subject was Garret Van Der Veer, a
native of New Jersey, born' in 1765. The family is of Holland descent, and date their
ancestry to the coming ' of Cornelius J. Van Der Veer to America from Holland (Alk-
marr) in 1659. Garret married Rachael Covenhoven, a native of Monmouth county,
N. J., on whose father's farm the battle of Monmouth was fought. The grandparents
came to Montgomery county, where they lived and died. The father of our subject
came to Wayne county in 1848, and settled at Marion, where the mother died, Decem-
ber 1, 1890. Mr. Van Der Veer has devoted much of his time to the manufacture of
machines for packing apples, and also kept hotel at Marion five years. He has always been
a Democrat, a temperance man, and a prominent anti-slavery advocate before the war.
H. E. Van Der Veer was reared in the village of Marion, where he was educated in the
Colgate Institute. At the age of fifteen he began as clerk for F. & J. B. Reeves, which
he followed in that place and Palmyra, and was also in the Commissary Department in
Indian Territory, at Fort Gibson, and was also in Kansas. In 1866 he came to Marion
and engaged in the drug trade and in 1873 came to Ontario village, where he has since
conducted a successful business in that line. He is a Democrat, and was appointed
postmaster in 1893. He is a member of Wayne Lodge No. 416 F. & A. M., and the
K. 0. T. M., in both of which he holds positions of honor. February 22, 1870, he mar-
ried Annette L. Pratt, of Williamson, born April 15, 1841, daughter of Jonathan and
Clarissa (Jennings) Pratt, of Whatiey, Mass., and Burlington, N. Y., respectively, who
had fourteen children, six of whom grew to maturity. Mr. Pratt and wife settled in
Williamson in 1811, where he became one of the wealthiest farmers of the town. His
oldest child, Aaron W., shipped with the first whaler in the northern seas. Another
son was Capt. William W., a whaler and merchantman for forty years.
Van Vleck, Lawrence, was born in Schuyler, Herkimer county, March 17, 1817, and
has for forty-two years been a continued resident of the town of Butler, having settled
first in Savannah in 1842, and in 1852, removed to Butler. His parents, Merinus and
Icy Van Vleck, reared a family of ten children in Herkimer county, of whom he is the
third son. He married, September 21, 1839, Prudy A., daughter of John and Susan
Hughes, of Schuyler, Herkimer county, who has been his faithful companion for more
than half a century, and by whom he had eleven children, of whom all are living but
the older, Louise, who died during their residence in Savannah, December 18, 1850 : Curtis
E., Cady L., Susan L., the wife of Alfred Bullock, of Red Creek; Merinus, Harry D.,
Francis, Emma, now Mrs. N. Pierce, of Grariby, N. Y., Ernest, Lawrence, and Allen.
The family group is one of which their parents are justly proud, and upon whom no
stigma has ever befallen.
Upham, H. M., whose paternal lineage may be traced to the earliest known settle-
ment of Butler, was born February 25, 1863, on the place which was the home of his
grandfather, and which was also the birthplace and life-long home of his father, Ebe-
nezer Upham, who was hale and hearty at seventy-five years of age, and is the father
of four children, of whom Merton is the elder. His wife, Marie, a sister of Jeremiah
Lebring, of Wolcott, died January 5, 1894, aged sixty-nine years. Merton was edu-
194 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
cated at Red Creek Academy, and is a young man of much ability and character, and
greatly esteemed by all who know him. His wife is Delia, daughter of Robert O'Brien
of Huron.
Vantassel, Elmer, of Butler, is the son of the late James Vantassel, who came here
from Conquest, Cayuga county, in 1862. His wife, who is Ellen Brown, survives him.
She is nearly seventy years of age, and of four children none are living except the
subject of this sketch, who is the eldest of her children. He was born during their
residence at Conquest June 8, 1849. December 15, 1873, he married Lucinda Burgh-
dorf, daughter of John Burghdorf, of Victory, and their children are : Dewayne, born
August 1, 1881, and Charlie, born February 28, 1873.
Van Lare, Jacob, born in Holland in 1832, was a son of Jacob and Zina Van Lare,
natives of Holland, who came to Marion and he died in Sodus in 1859, and his wife
resides at East Williamson. Jacob came to Marion in 1854 and bought the farm now
owned by the family of 100 acres, and put up good buildings. He married in Wayne
county Frances De King, a native of Holland, by whom he had eight children : Adrian,
Zina, Abram, Annie, Maggie, William, David, and James. By his first wife, Lizzie Van
Lare, he had five children : John, Jacob, Josiah, Isaac, and Peter. The family are mem-
bers of the Dutch Reformed church. Mr. Van Lare died November 5, 1891.
Vosburgh, John (deceased), was born in Copake, Columbia county, December 29,
1807, and came to Wayne county in 1837. He married Christiana, daughter of Tunis
Race, of Ancram, Columbia county, and they have seven children : Cornelius, Tunis,
John, Lee, Mrs. Clarinda Winegar, and Anna, and Mrs. Ella Miles. The family are
now living on the Vosburgh homestead of 147 acres, which was settled by John Vos-
burgh, having resided there fifty-seven years. He came from Columbia county with a
sleigh. He raises large amounts of fruit, hay, grain, and stock. Our subject was among
the early settlers of Wayne county, and the family were prominent in Columbia
county. He died in 1891 aged eighty-four.
Van Holde, John, born in Holland September 3, 1827, is the fifth of fourteen children
of John and Sarah Van Holde, natives of Holland, who came to Marion in 1855, where
Mr. Van Holde died in 1857, and his wife in 1860. Subject was reared on a farm and
educated in the common schools. He came to Williamson in 1853, where, with the
exception of thirteen years in Marion, he has resided. He owns forty-nine acres of
land, and follows general farming. He married, in 1853, Tannetje Rosencrantz, a native
of Holland, by whom he has had three children: John, Jacob, and William. Two died
in infancy. Mr. Van Holde was assessor nine years, and he and family are members
of the Reformed church.
Tassell, Frank W., was born in Williamson August 31, 1853. He is the fifth of six
children of Lewis and Harriet Tassell, natives of England, and who came to William-
son in 1340, and here lived the remainder of their days. Mr. Tassell died in 1880, and
his wife now resides in Williamson. Our subject finished his education in Marion
College, and is a carpenter by trade. He followed farming until 1885, beginning the
produce business then, and in 1888 formed a partnership witn Mr. H. J. Bradley, which
firm has since continued. Mr. Tassell is a member of the Pultneyville Lodge No. 159,
F. &A. M. In 1876 he married Phoebe M. Wood, a native of Sodus, and they have
three children : Otis L., Willis G., Stanley, who died in 1886.
Thomas, Philip, was born in the town of Ledyard, Cayuga county, May 29, 1825, son
of Alexander Thomas, a miller. His wife was Ruth Hart, and their children were :
Isaac H., Alexander, William George, Abram, and Philip. When twenty-one our sub-
ject began farming, and in 1846 came to Huron, and in September, 1864, enlisted in
Company A, 9th Heavy Artillery, was taken sick and spent most of his time in the
FAMILY SKETCH ES. 1!).-.
hospital. He contracted ailments from which he never fully recovered. In 1865 he
purchased his present farm in lot 38, and in 1846 he was married to Charlotte, daugh-
ter of Richard Morey, of Rose. Their children are : George, Eliza, wife of William
Snyder, of Huron : Gene, wife of Josiah Cartwright, of Michigan ; Lottie, widow of
Frank Dago ; Charles, E., deceased ; and Edward. Our subject is an honored member
of the G. A. R., Keeslar Post No. 55, and a Republican.
Terbush William Spencer, was born in Junius, Seneca county, April 26, 1851, son of
John Terbush, who came to Huron in 1859. His wife was Eunice Jane Weeks, and
their children were Emma Jane, William S., and George W. His second wife was
Adelia Abbott, and their children were: Franklin, Lura, Clara and Adelina ; and his
third wife was Frances M. Chase, by whom he had one child, Wesley. Our subject be-
gan for himself when nineteen years of age, conducting his father's farm. Later years
he was interested in dealing in live stock, and since 1892 has worked at the carpenter
trade. His wife is Ordice Streeter of Pinkey, daughter of David Streeter. and their
children are : Eunice Jane and Earl S. Subject is an Odd Fellow.
Townsend, Hammond (deceased), was born in Lyons January 1, 1847. His father.
Asa, bought a farm lying southeast of Lyons, which has been in the family for sixty
years. Hammond was educated in the common schools to which he added through
life by reading and close observation. He afterward returned to his father's farm
(which he inherited in 1880) of seventy acres, raising hay, grain and stock. At the age
of twenty-one he married Ariah, daughter of Henry W. Leach, and they are the par-
ents of two children : Mehan L. and Mrs. Lizzie G. Mehan. Our subject through life
was identified in advancing the best interests of his town.
Teller, Daniel V., was born in Lyons July 14, 1830. His father, William A., was a
native of Schenectady, came to Lyons in 1825. He married Hannah, oldest daughter
of Daniel Van Etten, who was among the first settlers and one of the representative
farmers in the town. Daniel was educated in the common schools, finished at the Ly-
ons Union School, to which he has added through life by reading and close observa-
tion. After leaving school he returned to his father's farm in 1835, and bought the
John B. Shaver business, which he followed eight years. In 1863 he established him-
self in the produce, nursery stock, and agricultural implements business, which has con-
tinued twenty years, up to 1883, and was then appointed superintendent of section 8 of
the Erie Canal, holding the position eight years and was then tendered the position
of special agent of the Erie Canal, which he held for two and one-half years. In No-
vember, 1893, he was appointed postmaster at Lyons by President Cleveland. At
the age of twenty-four he married Mary E., daughter of Daniel Morey of Lyons, and
they are the parents of three sons, two of whom, Arthur D., and Dexter M., are now
living. Charles W. died in his twenty-seventh year. Subject is a Democrat in poli-
tics, also takes an active interest in educational and religious matters.
Tyler, Henry, of Butler, was born October 3, 1845. His parents, James and Mary
A. Tyler, came here from Summit, N. Y., shortly before his birth, and have been suc-
cessful, not only in their chosen vocation on' the farm, but in well ordered and blameless
lives. He married Libbie, daughter of Stephen Fink of Victory, Cayuga county,
December 24, 1872, and their children are Grace E., Howard C, and Nellie.
Thorn, Thomas P., was born at Ely's Corners, Seneca county, August 24, 1820. His
father, Joel, was a native of New Jersey and came to Wayne county in 1821. He mar-
ried Rachel Hobrough of English birth. He was a prominent farmer in his time and
died in 1867, aged eighty years. Thomas P. laid the foundation of his education in
the log school of his district. At the age of thirty he married Mary, daughter of Sam-
uel S. Briggs, and they have these children : Phineas R. and Seward T. In 1858 he
came to Clyde and engaged in the distillery business remaining up to 1865, and in'1866
196 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
bought the Henry Stevens malt house, to which he added and rebuilt in 1869, and is
still engaged in the business, having a capacity of 70,000 bushels. Our subject was
supervisor of the town, and takes an an active interest in educational and religious
matters.
Tobin, William M., was born in Jordan, October 9, 1855. His father, Michael, was a
native of Kilkenny, Ireland, and came to Quebec in 1839, then to Clyde in the spring of
1856, and was a cooper by trade. He died in 1887, aged seventy- five years. William
Tobin was educated in the common schools, to which he has added through life by reading
and close observation. At the age of thirty-one he married Catherine, daughter of John
O'Brien, of Seneca Falls, N. Y., and they have had six children, three of whom are now
living : John M., Louise, and Marie E. Our subject was trustee of the village three
years. He is now engaged in the livery business, which he established in 1880, also in the
coal business, handling 3,500 tons of coal in 1893.
Traver, Henry, was born near Clifton Springs June 3, 1832. His father, Daniel, was a
native of Columbia county, and lived to be eighty-five years of age. Henry was educated
in the common schools, to which he has added through life by reading and close observa-
tion. In 1831 his father bought the Nathan Chase property of 110 acres, and in 1887
bought the Michael Beadle property at Marengo of seventeen acres, raising fruit, hay,
grain and stock. Our subject is a liberal supporter of all charitable enterprises.
Tassell, Charles L., born in Williamson, November 25, 1844, is the third of a family of
six children of Lewis and Harriet Tassell. He was educated in the common schools of
Williamson, followed farming eight years, and then came to Marion in 1874 and engaged
in buying and selling stock and produce. He also has an interest in the Wayne County
Canning Company, is one of the directors and holds the office of treasurer. Mr. Tassell
has been overseer of the poor, now serving his twelfth year. He is a member of the John
B. Burred Post No. 444, Department of New York, and of the A. O. U. W. of Marion.
Mr. Tassell enlisted March 4, 1864, in Co. A, 111th Yol. Inf., and served over one year.
He was in the battles of the Wilderness and Cold Harbor and was taken sick in the battle
of Petersburg. He married January 18, 1866, Hannah Field a native of Orleans county,
born in 1841, and daughter of Henry acd Elizabeth (Clark) Field. The father died in
Williamson in June, 1893, and the wife resides in Williamson. Mr Tassell is also serving
his third year as quartermaster of the Wayne County Soldiers' and Sailors' Association.
Tabor, Charles R., is the son of Lewis Tabor, of Sterling, and known as one of the
most successful farmers of this locality. Born May 20, 1868, his boyhood passed with-
out special note, except that he acquired habits of industry and frugality. He married
March 12, 1890, Sarah, oldest daughter of C. W. Eddy, and has purchased a farm of one
hundred acres at this place, where he bids fair to acquire a competence before middle
age. They have one son, Eddy, born April 26, 1892.
Taylor, Henry G-., is the son of Garrison Taylor, of Seneca Falls, a well-known mer-
chant now eighty-six years old, and retired from active life, and surviving his wife, Jane
(George), whose ancestors were English, and who died in 1883. Henry was born at
Seneca Falls, February 19, 1845, acquiring an academic education, and when eighteen
years of age going to Elkhorn, Wis., where he spent three years at bookkeeping for a
dry-goods house. After returning to his native place, he spent several years as a teacher,
since when farming has been his chosen vocation. December 28, 1870 he married Sarah
C, daughter of George R. and Betsey A. Van Fleet, of Wolcott, the former of whom
died March 6, 1883, at the age of sixty-two, and the latter, now sixty-four years of age
lives with a son at Fairhaven. Mr. Taylor has two lovely children : Laura, born Feb-
ruary 10, 1881, and Olive L., born March 6, 1890. The genealogical tree of this family
is one of great antiquity and interest and Mr. Taylor is a contributor of historical data
for the volume.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 197
Slaght, George Ambrose, was born in Huron October 12, 1833, son of Simeon, who
was born in 1800. He was a son of Jeremiah Slaght, of Pennsylvania, who came to
Huron in 1818. Simeon was the fifth of seven children. At eighteen he purchased a
farm of 100 acres, which he cleared. His wife was Sally Bissell, and their children
were: Azel, Laura, George A., and Martha. At the age of twenty subject purchased
the farm where he now lives. Besides this he owns other farms amounting to 300
acres. In 1853 he married Charlotte, daughter of Samuel and Camilla (Hyde) Cantrell,
of Huron. Camilla Hyde was the daughter of John Hyde, and the first white child
born in the town of Huron. Mr. and Mrs. Slaght have three children : Carrie, wife of
Lorin Parsons of Huron; Ida, wife of Fred Blauvelt; and Charles A. They are mem-
bers of the Wolcott Grange, P. of H., No. 348, of which our subject is worthy master.
In politics he is a Republican, has served as commissioner of highways, assessor, and
justice of the peace.
Servoss, E, B., was born in Fonda, Montgomery county, December 10, 1838. His
occupation has been that of farming, and he, now owns a farm of eighty acres. In 1850
he settled in she town of Macedon, and through his own efforts acquired his present
property. In 1867 he married Elizabeth Allyn, daughter of Russell Allyn, of Macedon.
They have no children. Mr. Servoss is a Republican and has filled several town offices.
Spencer, Andrew, of Butler, a citizen of more than ordinary mental attainment, has
been three times chosen to represent his town in the County Legislature, was for two
years inspector of schools, and has filled many minor positions of trust. Born in Huron
in 1824, his early manhood was spent in school teaching. His parents were Elihu and
Jemima (Upton) Spencer. Elihu settled in Huron in 1811, and for many years operated
a grist mill, the first one built in that town, In 1853, Andrew married Maria Soule,
daughter of Rowland Soule, the well known M. E. Evangelist. They had three daugh-
ters : Hattie, Lucile, and Flora, all deceased.
Shepard, John, was born in Petershead, Scotland, in April, 1869. He is the eldest
son of John and Mary (McRea) Shepard, both natives of Scotland. John, father of
our subject, still resides in Scotland and carries on a tailoring business near Peters-
head. His wife died in 1882, and in June, 1886 he made a visit to his son, John, in
Williamson, with whom he remained three months, and then returned to Scotland.
John Shepard, subject of this sketch, came to Canada in 1869, to Williamson in 1875
and bought the farm of 104 a^res he now owns, of which he has cleared over fifty
acres. Mr. Shepard received his education in Scotland, and has followed farming
through life. In the spring of 1875 he married Ellen Rennie, born in Scotland Febru-
ary 22, 1859, and daughter of William and Margaret (Mitchell) Rennie, both natives of
Scotland, who came to America in 1874 and settled in Canada on a farm. Mrs. Rennie
died in 1881. He still lives in Canada at the age of seventy-four. Mr. and Mrs.
Shepard have had three sons and two daughters: Mary, Thomas, John, Clara, and
Willie.
Swift, Elisha T., born July 17, 1818, is the second of a family of four sons and four
daughters of A. and Elizabeth Swift, pioneers of Williamson, coming there from the
eastern part of the State. They went to Michigan, leaving Elisha T. with Mr. Smith,
of Marion, with whom he remained till of age. He commenced business for himself
in saw mill and manufacturing and selling pumps. He then engaged in the cooper's
business at Walworth, exchanged this business for a farm in Walworth, and traded that
farm for the farm in Williamson, where he now resides. Here he was also engaged in
the lumber business a few years. He has made nearly all of the improvements on the
farm. Mr. Swift has been three times married, first to Catherine Vandeshearse, and
after her death to Martha Wake, who dfed in 1874, and by whom he had one son and
three daughters, two now deceased, Emma and Jennie, He married, third, Maria S.
(Evans) Harding, daughter of Luther and Elizabeth (Howland) Evans, natives of
198 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
Massachusetts, who went to Michigan in 185G, where he died in July, 1844, and his
wife in 1850. Mrs. Swift came to Williamson at the age of fourteen years. She mar-
ried, first, John Harding, by whom she has one son. Fred, a farmer in Nebraska. Mr.
Harding died in 1866 and she married Mr. Swift, by whom she has one daughter, Lizzie
D. Mr. Smith has for some time been disabled by paralysis, and Mrs. Swift now has
charge of the farm. They have 103 acres, and are engaged in general farming and
fruit raising. They attend and support the M. E. church.
Shippers, Abram, born in Holland November 14. 1862, is the oldest of five children
of Abram and Mary (Lalone) Shippers, natives of Holland. He was a farmer in Hol-
land, and died October 17, 1877. The mother came to America in 1879, bringing the
family of five children and settling on a farm in Marion, where she died June 1, 1885.
Abram was reared on a farm, and attended school in Holland and Marion. He com-
menced work as a farmer and is also a carpenter by trade, which he follows part of the
time. He bought the farm in 1886, and carries on a general fruit business. The family
are members of the Reformed Church. He is a member of Security Tent at Marion K.
0. T. M. No. 137.
Sprague, John, of Butler, who traces his paternal lineage back to the famous Sprague
family of Rhode Island, 'was born in Butler, January 22, 1835. David and Violetta
Sprague, his parents settled in Butler about seventy years ago, and their numerous
descendants are to-day representatives of the best agricultural class of the town.
David Sprague had two wives, and was the father of fifteen children. He died July
11, 1874. at eighty-nine years of age. Violetta Sprague, the mother of six of his chil-
dren, is now living, and is eighty-two years old. John received his]early education at
the famous old Academy at Red Creek, and his mature years have been devoted to
farming, with a full measure of success. His wife, Martha, is a daughter of the late
John Acken, of Butler. One daughter, Martha, was born to them. She died at the
age of twenty-four years.
Shephard, Harvey, was born on the homestead October 11, 1848. His father, Harry,
was a uative of St. Albans, Vt., and came to Wayne county in 1817. settling on lot 21
where his descendants now reside. He married Harriet, daughter of William Gordon,
by whom he had five children : Albert, Silas, Harvey, Minerva, and Louisa. Harvey
was educated in the common schools, to which he had added through life by reading
and close observation. In 1867 he inherited part of the well known Shephard estate of
300 acres, raising fruit, hay, grain, and stock ; making a specialty of milk dairying,
producing'from 150 to 200 quarts per day. Our subject is one of the largest farmers in
the town, was elected road commissioner from 1887 to 1893, and takes an intelligent
interest in educational and religious matters.
Southard, Henry, was born in Somerset county, N. J., May 15, 1829, son of Israel
R., who came to Wayne county in 1827. He married Elizabeth Whitman, and in 1842
bought the Levi Hendrick property where his son now resides. He died iu 1860, aged
fifty-seven. Henry Southard laid the foundation of his education in the log school
house, after which he returned to his father's farm. At the age of twenty-five he mar-
ried Lottie, daughter of Abram Myers, by whom he has three children ; Raymond L.,
Sadie E., and Luella May. In 1861 he inherited and purchased his father's estate, in
1866 purchased the John Reynolds property, and in 1870 purchased the Daniel
McDonald farm. He has 275 acres and raises fruit, hay, grain and stock. Our subject
is one of the representative farmers of his town, was elected assessor in 1877-78-79,
and takes an intelligent interest in all educational and religious matters.
Sweezy, Smith, born in Marion March 8, 1829, is the oldest of seven children of
Stephen and Fannie (Reeves) Sweezy, natives of Palmyra. Stephen was the oldest son
of Isaac Sweezy, who came to East Palmyra in 1799 and settled on a portion of the
FAMILY SKETCHES. I!)!)
Long Island purchase. The father of subject was reared on the Long Island purchase,
where he died in 1861, and his wife in July, 1882. Smith Sweezy was reared on the
farm, and came to Marion in 1865. In 1855 he married Mary Danforth, of Sodus, by
whom he had two sons, Frank, who died in 1876, aged nineteen. He was a graduate
of Commercial College of Rochester; and H. B., who is a clerk in New Haven, Conn.
The mother died July 16, 1881, and Mr. Sweezy married Malissa, daughter of William
G-riswold, of Rose. He has 150 acres of land, and carries on general farming and fruit
growing. He is a member of Marion Grange.
Sloan, Charles A., was born in the town of Galen, May 19, 1848. His father, Prosper
Sloan, was a farmer and cooper of that town and died in March, 1891, at seventy-six
years of age. Charles A. Sloan is a self-made and a self-educated man. He learned
the carpenter's trade, and after five years spent in Michigan he came to this town and
gave his attention to farming. In 1887 he entered the employ of R. J. Rogers & Co.,
and in 1891, in company with George W. Sloan, purchased the business and now carries
one of the largest stocks of pine and hemlock lumber, shingles, slat and wire fencing
in the county. Mr. Sloan married Miss Amy J. Field, daughter of Byron Field, and
they are the parents of four children : Walter, Willard, Charles, and Frances J.
Simmons, Henry B., was born in Utica August 13, 1852. His father, Duane L.,
marble dealer in that town, was a native of Rochester. He died in 1887 at sixty-two
years of age. Henry E. was educated in Utica, after which he entered into business
with his father, continuing until 1883. He then came to Clyde and entered the employ
of W. N. Fields, and in 1892 established his present business of furniture and undertak-
ing, using the latest and mort improved methods of embalming, and carrying a selected
stock of fine furniture. At the age of twenty-seven he married Lois A. Brewster, of
Clyde, and they are the parents of one daughter, Mabel. Our subject takes an active
interest in educational and religious matters.
Stock, John, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Hoffmansfield, January 22, 1838. His
father came to the United States in 1861, only living two years. He settled in Balti-
more", Md. John Stock, jr., came to the United States in 1868 and settled in Lyons,
remaining until 1872, when he came to Clyde and entered the employ of F. Stoetzel|
and in 1874, in connection with Henry Lanster, established the market under the firm
name of Lanster & Co., dealers in fish and salt meats. In 1886 Mr. Lanster retired,
and subject bought his interest and still continues the business. He is the leading
dealer in his business, and was elected trustee in 1890.
Streeter, S. D., was born in Berlin, Rensselaer county, N. Y., October 22, 1827. His
father, Williard Streeter, was a native of Berlin, and the family settled in Charleston,
Mass., in 1684. Williard Streeter died in 1841 at the age of forty-six. S. D. Streeter
laid the foundation of his education in the common schools, and in 1852 went to Cali-
fornia and engaged in the mercantile business, remaining there six years. In 1861 he
came back to Clyde, and engaged in the distilling business with Briggs & Thorn, closing
out in 1864. Since that time he has been engaged in the malting and grain business.
At the age of thirty-four he married Mrs. P. J. Casey, daughter of Royal Lilli bridge.
Our subject has served as supervisor of his town for several years.
See, Andrew, born in Arcadia, N.Y., February 7, 1830, is he second child of Abram
and Cyttie A. Turner, he a native of Schenectady, born in 1802, and at the age of
twenty-one came to Arcadia, and finally came to Marion and bought the farm now
owned by subject. He died in 1882, and his wife in 1868. Subject was educated in
the common schools. He married, March 7, 1862, Mary E. Lovejoy, a native of
Elbridge, N. Y., and daughter of William Lovejoy, who came to Marion about 1840,
where he lived and died May 22, 1891, and his wife February 17, 1893. Mr. See and
wife have had two children : Charles who died in infancy, and Clarence William, born
200 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
February 19, 18G5, educated in the common schools, is a farmer and resides at home.
Mr. See owns fifty-eight and one-half acres of land, and follows general farming. Mr.
Lovejoy was born in 1811 in Williamstown, Oswego county. His wife was Mary L.
Hinds, a native of Manlius, Onondaga county. They had seven children, of whom
five are living. Mr. Lovejoy is a member of the Christian church.
Scott, Mathew B., was born in Ireland in 1850. He was the fourth child of John
and Mary Scott, natives of Ireland, where the father died and the mother now resides.
Mathew B. was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools of his native
land. He came to Macedon, and December 10, 1871, came to Ontario, since which
time he has purchased 125 acres of land, and follows general farming. In politics he
is a Democrat, and has been assessor six years in a Republican town. In 1875 he mar-
ried Mary Kelley, by whom he had five children : John, James. George, Mary, and
Margaret. His first wife died, and he married, second, Maggie Regan, by whom he had
two children : Sarah and Thomas.
Smoulton, John, a native of England, came to America at the age of twenty, in 1830
or 1830 or 1831, first settling in Montreal, Canada, and then in Hydesville, later going
to Williamson, where he remained on a farm until his decease, in 1879. His first wife,
Louisa, died in. 1845. She was a daughter of James Walton, of Palmyra, and by her he
had these children : Charles H., who resides on the homestead in Williamson ; James
E. ; Louisa A.; Mr. Smoulton married second Mrs. Ann Curtis, nee Culliver, of one of
the original families of Pultneyville. She died in Williamson in 1880. James E.
Smoulton was born June 19, 1842, was reared in Williamson, and in 18G2 came to Pal-
myra, where he married in 1867 Henrietta Burchard, and located on his grandfather's
farm, which he had been conducting since 1863. In 1880 he bought the place, where
he has since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Smoulton have had these children : Mary L., now
the wife of Otis Bird, of Manchester; and William J., who reside at home. James
Walton was a native of England, who came to America and bought a tract of 100 acres
of Willard Pullman, on which he settled.
Smith, John Sled, was born in Middletown, Delaware county, February 15, 1821, and
is the son of Elkana'h Smith, born in Fishkill, in 1789. His wife was Amanda, daughter
of John Sled, of Connecticut, and their children were: Clarinda (Cole), Lucretia (Cole),
Jane (St. John), Jacob, Harrison, Lucinda (Becker), John S., Morgan L., Rhoda, Ada-
line and Samuel. He died in March, 1880, aged ninety-one years. Our subject's prin-
cipal vocation has been farming. In 1841 he with his father and brothers came to Huron
and purchased the farm on which he now resides, and soon entered into partnership
with Catchpole Bros., engaging extensively in the manufacture of lumber. They built
one lake vessel and a large storehouse at Sodus Bay, dealing largely in produce. In
April, 1848, he married Jemima, daughter of James Catchpole, of Huron, and they have
five children : William O, born 1852 ; Margaret E., 1855; James E., and Edgar, 1858;
and Nora M., 1860, now the wife of Fred Kelsey, of Galen. Mr. Smith is a Republican.
He has placed the homestead in the possession of his two sons, William 0. and Edgar J.,
who are interested in berry culture, also in apples, and the evaporating business. William
3., married Jennie Post, of Rose, and they have these children : Harold E., 1882
Walter H, 1885;- Ralph L, 1890; and Bertha O., 1892.
Shuler, George H, was born in the town of Arcadia February 15, 1846. His father,
George, came from Alsace, Germany, in 1835. He married Magdalena Erhardt who
was among the first German settlers in Wayne county, and for one summer camped out
on the court house and jail ground and then bought a farm in Arcadia. George H. was
educated in the common schools and is a self educated and self made man. Was reared
a farmer and remained on the farm until twenty-four years of age, and then came to
Lyons and bought the Hiram Miniah mill property, which was burned in the spring of
1871, and which he rebuilt the same year and was again burned m 1886, having bought
FAMILY SKETCHES. '.'ill
the Miles S. Leaeh milling property in 1875 for a custom mill He transferred his whole
business to that site where he is now established. At the age of twenty-four he married
Frances, daughter of Zachariah Avery, of Arcadia, and they have two children: Maude
L., and Clarence, who died in August, 1889, aged twelve years ; a boy of brilliant promise
and character. Our subject is a very active business man, but finds time to take an
interest in educational and religious matters, having been for three years trustee of the
Presbyterian church, of Lyons. He is identified with advancing the best interests of
his town, and recognized as a man of high character and sterling worth.
Stephan Brothers. — This firm is composed of Edward P. and Harry A. Stephan.
Their father, George, came from Germany and settled in Lyons and was a wagonmaker
by trade. The sons, Edward and Harry, were educated in the Lyons Union School.
Edward on leaving entered the employ of E. B. Price & Son in the grocery business,
and was with the firm ten years. After the death of E. B. Price his son continued the busi-
ness, carrying a large line of fine groceries, wooden ware, and making a specialty of
choice teas and coffees. Our subjects are recognized as one of the most active and
enterprising firms in the town.
Sparks, Jefferson (deceased), was born in Ulster county, November, 1818, was edu-
cated in Montgomery county, and finished at Hobart College, Geneva. At the age of
twenty-six he married Esther M., daughter of Ehada Watkins of Fairfax, Va., and
they were the parents of three children: Eli J., Mary A. and Harriet E., neither of
whom is living. Jefferson Sparks came to Ontario county when he was seventeen
years of age, and removed to Wayne county in 1860, settled east of Alloway and
bought the Burnett property, in 1868 bought the Nathan Gere property of 132 acres,
raising mint, hay, grain and stock. Our subject was one of the leading men in his
town, taking an active interest in educational and religious matters. He died June 5,
1883, a loss not only to his family and friends, but to the community in which he lived,
leaving a wife and daughter.
Schwab, Philip, was born in Alsace, Germany, May 1, 1821, came to the United
States and settled in the town of Arcadia. In 1873 he came to Lyons and bought the
Barrick estate, in 1886 bought the La Rue estate, having 475 acres, raising fruit, hay,
grain and stock. At the age of twenty-six he married Elizabeth Studor and they were
the parents of six children, two of whom are now living, Mrs. Frederick Stolz and
George. George Schwab married Lena Brubacher, daughter of Martin Brubacher of
Lyons, and they are the parents of two children : Charles E. and Lizzie M. Our sub-
ject with his son are among the largest and leading farmers in Wayne county.
Shannon, Lester H., an old and respected resident of Huron, was born on the farm
he now owns in October, 1850, son of Archibald R., a native of Ireland, who settled in
Huron in 1808. Archibald R. married Jane Hyde, and their children were Albert and
Lester. Our subject has always followed farming, and served as poormaster and con-
stable two years and as excise commissioner. In 1874 he married Frances Helen,
daughter of William and Jane (Twombley) Burns of the town of Rose, born in 1850.
Their children are : Marvin L., born October 28, 1875 ; Frank M., born February, 1877 ;
Albert (deceased), and Nettie B., born February 19, 1887.
Sutphen, John M., was born in Cayuga county, February 8, 1842. He was educated
as a lawyer, reading law under Judge Hastings of Rochester and was admitted to the
bar. He taught school for about twenty years and then practiced his profession for a
short time. He afterward abandoned the practice of law and devoted himself to farm-
ing, which occupation he has since followed. In 1863 Mr. Sutphen married Mary E.
Boothe of Manchester and settled on the farm on which he now lives. This farm con-
sists of eighty-five acres of land. He has four children : Minnie C, Eleanor E., C.
Ames and Clarissa H. The two older daughters are teachers, the son is at home with
202 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
his parents, and the youngest daughter is attending the Palmyra Union School. Mr.
Sutphen was justice for eight years and is a Republican.
Robinson, C K., manager of the Lyons Road Cart Co., was born in Lyons January 7,
1853. His father, John, came from England in 1840 and settled in Lyons in 1846, was
a blacksmith and wagon manufacturer and achieved a prominent position in his town
and trade of the county. C. K. Robinson was educated in the Lyons Union school,
and after leaving engaged in the business with his father, and enlarged and extended
the business, to-day having an output of 800 buggies per year. He is a Republican in
politics, having been trustee of the village, and takes an intelligent interest in educa-
tional and religious matters, and is identified in advancing the best interests of his
town, where he is recognized as a man of business ability, of strict integrity and ster-
ling worth.
Snyder, J. F., born in Saratoga county January 23, 1821, and came to Wayne county
in 1855. His earlier years were spent as a carpenter and builder, and since 1883 he
has been engaged in farming. During the latter part of the war of the Rebellion he
was a member of Company C, 96th N. Y. S. Vols. July 28, 1844, he married Melinda
Drigman, of Gloversville, N. Y., and they have five children: Hiram, Sarah M., Eliza-
beth, Frances, and George Henry, who died in 1856 in infancy.
Strait, John GL son of J. G. Strait, of Savannah, was born at that place in 1842.
He enlisted August 21, 1861, in Company 8, 137th N. Y. S. Vols., and with the great
Army of the Potomac, participated in the battles of Antietam, Winchester, Chancel-
lorsville, and Gettysburg, and was honorably discharged in 1864. After the war he
engaged for many years in carpentry and building in Wolcott and established his pres-
ent business in 1882, that of manufacturer and wholesale dealer in lumber, and in 1884
erected his large and modern planing mill and factory. In 1867 Mr. Strait married
Sarah E. Rumsey, of Wolcott. She died in 1882, leaving four children, Walter, Mabel,
Lena, and Leon. He again married in 1884 Hattie, daughter of H. P. Lewis, of Huron,
and has two sons, Robert and Archer.
Schuyler, Henry, was born at Orleans August 23, 1844. His business training was
completed at the Albany Commercial College, after which he engaged in farming for a
period of ten years, and in 1885 began keeping books for a mercantile house at Lyons,
where he remained for five years. In 1890 he came to Red Creek, where he operates a
surburban farm of eighty acres. Mr. Schuyler is a Republican and holds the position
of overseer of the poor. In 1880 he married Elizabeth Reese, of Pavilion, N. Y., who
died five years later. His present wife was Ida Dominick, of Fulton, N. Y. During
the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in the 132d Illinois as chief of the headquarters
guard, and holds a certificate of thanks for honorable service, from Abraham Lincoln, a
document which he naturally prizes highly.
Seymour, L. D,, son of Orrin D. Seymour, of Huron, was born July 25, 1850. He
left home at ten years of age, being compelled by circumstances to make his own way
in the world, and was for a time a sailor on the lakes. When sixteen years old he de-
cided to adopt he profession of veterinary surgery, and to that end became a student
under John Graves of Pultneyville, studied one year with Professor McKenzie in Buf-
falo, and one year at the Veterinary College at Adrian, Mich. In 1874 he came to
Wolcott, where he has practiced his profession twenty years. April 4, 1872, he married
Harriet, daughter of Jacob Reynolds, of Huron. Their children were: Susie M., born
May 4, 1873, who died soon after her graduation from Leavenworth Institute, at the
age of nineteen; Eugene, born November 28, 1876, and Draper, born October 28, 1893.
Risley, Charles M., was born in Russell, St. Lawrence county, November 28, 1848,
the second of nine children of Marvin A. and Mariette (Bishop) Risley, natives of
Massachusetts, who early came to Russell. Later they came to this town, and after-
Family sketches. &63
wards removed to Webster, but again came to Ontario, where they died, he in 1892,
(May 27), and his wife March 22, 1889. Mr. Risley served as constable two years,
and was a Republican. Charles M. was educated in the public schools, and is a mason
by trade. He follows farming, owning forty-five acres of land, and raising stock, also
devoting some attention to fruit raising. He is a Republican and a Granger, also a
member of Fish Post, No. 406 G-. A. R. In 1864 Mr. Risley enlisted in Company B,
9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, serving till the close of the war. He was at Cold Harbor,
Monocacy, Winchester, Sayler Run, Cedar Creek, Petersburg. At the close of the war
he went to Webster, and in 1868 came to Ontario, where he has ever since resided. In
1876 he married Marion, daughter of Hubbard Risley, of Russell, and they have one
son, Manley H., who resides at home.
Sheldon, Roger, and Elizabeth Marsh, his wife, came from Hartford, Conn., to Huron
in 1809, and took up a farm about two miles east of Sodus Bay. Their family con-
sisted of these children : Norman, Wareham, George, Grove, Ralsoman, Ralph, Amanda,
Maria, Flora, and Harriet. Norman lived and died in Huron, aged ninety-eight ;
Wareham spent most of his life in Huron, but died at Geneva, aged ninety-five;
George resided near the homestead ; Grove died aged sixteen ; Ralsoman lived in Genoa,
and died at the age of nearly 100; Ralph died in Wolcott October 4, 1871, aged seventy-
six. His widow,Minerva Flint, also died there, aged seventy-six ; Maria married a Mr. West
and died at advanced age at Yictor; Amanda married a Mr. Humphrey, of Albany, and
died aged ninety-six; Flora married Wm. Mudge, and died in Huron ; Harriet married
John Wood, and died in Clyde. On the way from Hartford to Huron Roger Sheldon
and family stopped over night with Judge Johnson in Dutchess county, and Mrs. John-
son gave the children some pears, the seeds of which they saved and planted in their
new home. From this source came the Sheldon pear, a famous variety, the original
tree yet standing on the old homestead. The children of Ralph and Minerva Sheldon
were as follows: Hiram, who married Hannah Demmon, and resides in Huron;
Sophronia, who married Rev. George Paddock, and resides in Rochester; Henry, one
of the first settlers of Kansas, where he now lives in Burlingame ; Andrew F., who
married Lucetta Salsbury. He graduated from the University of New York, having
previously read medicine with Dr. E. W. Bethune, formerly of Huron, and practiced
at Williamson before the war. He was appointed assistant surgeon of the 7th N. Y.
Cavalry, known as the Black Horse in 1861, remaining until April, 1862, when he was
appointed assistant surgeon in the 78th N. Y. Inf., and detailed for duty on General
Wadsworth's staff in the medical director's office at Washington. Here he remained as
executive officer until Augi.st, 1863, when he was commissioned surgeon of U. S. Vols,
by Lincoln and assumed charge of Campbell U. S. general hospital at Washington,
serving till the close of the war. He has been in the active practice of his profession
since the war, except for "nine years while he served as county treasurer. His eldest
son, Ralph, is a graduate of medicine ; and Albert, the younger son, is one of the pro-
prietors of the Silver Metal Manufacturing Company at Oswego. The daughter, Nora,
married Fremont Powers, and resides at Junius. Edwin Pomeroy Sheldon, youngest
son of Ralph, graduated in medicine from the University of New York, and located in
Burlingame, Kan., marrying Matilda, daughter of Judge Schuyler, of Ithaca. He was
appointed surgeon of the 5th Kansas Cavalry, and after a few months of service died
at Fort Scott, Mo. His wife still survives him at Ithaca, Jerome P. married Lydia
Saxton and resides in Dodge City, Kan.
Randal], Peleg, was born in the town of Corinth, Saratoga county, November 24,
1806. His father, Hathaway, came to Wayne county in 1816 and settled in the town
of Lyons. Peleg was educated in the common schools, only being able to attend
through the winters. In 1835 he bought the John Seabring property of sixty acres, to
which he has added, having 135 acres of some of the best farm land in the town, rais-
ing mint, hay, grain, and stock. In 1879 he married Mrs. Rebecca Wright, daughter
S04 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
of William Throop, of England. Our subject is one of the prominent farmers of his
town, having been assessor, highway commissioner, trustee of school, and is identified
in advancing the best interests of the town.
Robinson, John W., was born in the town Huron of September 27, 1843 His father,
Thomas, was a native of the northern part of Ireland, and came to the United States
in 1830, first settled in Phelps and moved to Huron in 1834, where the family home-
stead is now located. John W. was educated in the common schools, the Academy at
Red Creek, Falley Seminary, Wolcott, and in March, 1867, graduated from the College
of Physicians and Surgeons of New York. In 1869 he located at Alloway and estab-
lished a general practice, which he still continues. At the age of twenty-eight he mar-
ried Mary E., daughter of John B. Gorwey of Rensselaer county, and in 1890 was ap-
pointed physician to the Wayne county Almshouse and Insane Asylum. Our subject is
one of the leading men in his profession, identified in advancing the best interests of
the town.
Rice, Amman, second child of Isaac and Maria Rice, was born in Wolcott in 1847.
His father, Isaac Rice, was born in Scipio, Cayuga county, in 1811 and came to Wol-
cott in 1839, cleared up the farm now owned by our subject, erecting thereon a log
house. He died June 12, 1893, and his widow, Maria, who was born February 8, 1818,
survived him with her three children, Augustus, Amman, and Adelbert. In 1865 Am-
man married Helen Morey, who died May 28, 1880, leaving four children, Gilbert and
Charles, both of whom died in infancy, Anna M., born June 29, 1869, and Emma A.,
born August 31, 1874, who is a teacher. Mr. Rice's present wife was Melissa Quick,
of Junius, Cayuga county, N. Y., and she has one son, Claude, now fifteen years
of age.
Reeve, Abraham, was born in England April 3, 1830. His father, Abraham Reeve,
was born and died in England. Abraham Reeve, jr., came to this country when twenty
years of age. He went to Pennsylvania where, after working on a farm for some time,
he learned the carpenter's trade. He worked at his trade twenty years then engaged
in farming. He moved to Binghamton in 1872 and took up farming there. In 1855
he married Adaline Tompkins and they have five children. In politics Mr. Reeve is a
Republican.
Richards, D., M.D., born in Skaneateles, Onondaga county, September 16, 1835, is
the seventh of thirteen children of Joseph and Selinda (Benjamin) Richards, natives of
Otsego county, born in 1801 and 1805 respectively. The grandfather of subject was
John Richards, a native of Otsego county, where he died. He was in the War of
1812, and his father was in the Revolutionary and French and Indian Wars. The family
is of English descent and date their ancestry back to three brothers who came over in
the Mayflower. Joseph Richards was a hatter and spent his life in Onondaga county.
He died in 1885 and his wife in 1844. Our subject was educated in the Union school of
Marcellus, followed teaching six years and then studied medicine with Dr. Dimock of
Phelps, N. Y., graduating from the Eclectic Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1865.
The same year he came to Marion where he has since had a very successful practice.
He is a member of Palmyra Lodge No. 294 F. and A. M., and of the A. O. U. W. No.
296 of Marion. Dr. Richards married in 1858 Maria H. Bellows a native of Cortland
county, and daughter of Zebulon Bellows, a manufacturer of furniture and pipe or-
gans. He died in Cortland county in 1865. Dr. Richards and wife had one daughter
at home, who graduated from the Syracuse Univeasity in class of 1894. Dr. Richards
is a member of the Eclectic Medical Society of New York State.
Russell, Darius F., was born in Williamson, January 24, 1839, and is the third son of Na-
thaniel and Rachel W. Russell, he a native of Williamson, born 1804, and she born in Ver-
mont in 1803. Nathaniel was a son of Daniel Russell, elsewhere mentioned in this work,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 205
a farmer who had only four months education in the common schools. He owned the
130 acres now owned by the subject of this sketch. Our subject was reared on a farm
and educated in the common schools and the Monroe Collegiate Institute, and began
teaching at the age of eighteen, and taught seven years. Mr. Russell was the first man
that enlisted at the first war meeting in the town of Williamson, although others had
gone from the town and enlisted elsewhere previously. He enlisted September 11, 1861
in Co. I, 17th N. Y., and served three years in the Army of the Potomac, and was in the
Seven Days before Richmond, 2d battle of Bull Run. He is a Prohibitionist in politics
and has been chairman of the Wayne County Prohibitionist Committee for seven years.
He has been justice of the peace two years. He is a member of the Grange and was
master one year. He organized the town Sunday School Association and was president
for seven years. He and his wife are members of the M. E. church, and have taught the
Young People's class for eighteen years. Mr. Russell has been twice married : March
19, 1865, to Maria Van Ostrand, a native of Monroe, and they had two children, Fred
D., aud Katie L., both residing in Buffalo. Fred is a real estate dealer. The second
time Mr. Russell married Dora V. Tuttle, a native of Steuben county, N. Y., and they
have three children : Charles P., Rachel E., and Mildred.
Rodgers, Mason L., was born in Palmyra, N. Y., November 17, 1825, the son of John
and Mary Mason Rodgers, he born in Rhode Island May 21, 1786 and she in Somerset
Mass., May 18, 1787. Mr. Rodgers came to Palmyra when five years of age with his
father William, who spent the rest of his life in that town. He died at the a»e of
eighty-two years in 1836. John Rodgers was a farmer and lived in Palmyra until 1836
when he moved to Marion and there died October 11, 1864, and his wife July 25, 1873.
Mason L. resided in Marion until 1881, when he came to Williamson, and there spent
the remainder of his days. He built the store now owned by Lewis P. Rodgers in 1877.
In 1848 he married Lydia Putnam, of Macedon, born June 14, 1826, and a daughter of
Stephen and Dorcas Smith Putnam. Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers have five children: Mary
A., wife of Dr. Clark, of Williamson ; Lewis R,, a fruit grower of Albion, N. Y. ; Ida
M., wife of Charles F. Adams, of Williamson, who died in 1892; Willis P., who married
Matie H. Tuttle and resides on the old homestead in Marion ; and Carrie P., at home.
Roe, Mrs. Sophia H., widow of the late John S. Roe, of Butler Center. Mr. Roe was
born in Northern Wolcott in 1819, son of John Roe, one of the pioneers of that section.
Liberally educated at Lima, N. Y., he became a man of influence in Butler, and held
many positions of responsibility, among them for ten years county superintendent of the
poor. His wife was Sophia Henderson, daughter of Worcester Henderson, of Butler
Center. They were married December 25, 1844, made their home upon the farm, and
reared two daughters, Jennie W. and Helen W. Universally respected and widely
mourned, John S. Roe died October 8, 1893.
Reed, Enos H., oldest son of Daniel and Mary C. Reed, of Huron, was born there in
1842. He was educated in the common schools and at twenty years of age engaged in
farming, which he followed twelve years with marked success. In 1874 he came to
Wolcott and formed a co-partnership with Zenas Booth, establishing a warehouse busi-
ness, which in 1879 became the firm of Reed & Cornwell. In 1884 Air. Reed purchased
the Empire Roller Mill, which he operated for five years, being now interested in agri-
cultural machinery. In 1862 he married Emma, daughter of Loomis and Arvilla Webb,
of Huron, and they have seven children.
Roe, G-eorge G., was born in Rose July 25, 1847, a son of John B. Roe, a prominent
farmer and a member of the M. E. Church of Clyde. The latter died in 1885, aged
sixty-six years. George B. laid the foundation of his education in the common schools ,
the Falley Seminary at Fulton, and is pre-eminently a self-made man. After traveling
on the road for seven years Mr. Roe came to Clyde in 1874, where he established his
present business, that of harness manufacturer and dealer in wagons, buggies, bicycles,
206 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
etc., carrying the largest and best stock in Wayne county. In 1885-86 our subject was
elected supervisor, has been notary public for ten years, and in May, 1890, was ap-
pointed by President Harrison to the office of postmaster of the town of Clyde, taking
possession in the spring of 1891. At the age of thirty-seven he married Frances J.
Wood, daughter of Hudson R. Wood, of Rose, and they have one daughter, Edith J.
Mr. Roe is one of the conservative men of his town, thoroughly alive to all things that
will advance its best interests, and taking a prominent part in its political and educa-
tional affairs.
Reed, John Sherburne, M. D., was born in Rochester, April 19, 1864. His father,
Isaac F., was a native of England. Dr. Reed was educated at the Academy in Roches-
ter, graduating in 1883, read law for a year and then went to Cleveland, Ohio, and
took the medical course at the College of Physicians & Surgeons, graduating in March,
1888, and was made house surgeon at Buffalo Hospital, and then went to London,
England, and took a post-graduate course at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. He returned
to the United States in 1891 and located at Lyons, and established a general practice,
succeeding Dr. J. C. McPherson in business. At the age of twenty-seven he married
Ida L., daughter of John Wesley Slaughter, of Benton, Yates county. He is a Repub-
lican in politics, and was appointed health officer of his town in 1893. Our subject is
one of the best read members of his profession, identified in advancing the best interests
of his town and recognized as a man of steiling character and worth, being a member of
the N. Y. State Homoeopathic Medical Society, of which he has been secretary and
treasurer two years.
Reeves, Stephen, born in East Palmyra August 21, 1825, is the oldest of twelve chil-
dren of Howell and Phoebe J. (Howell) Reeves, he a native of East Palmyra, born in
June, 1797, and she a native of New Jersey, born July 19, 1803. The grandfather of
subject was Elias Reeves, a native of South Hampton, born in 1762. He came to Pal-
myra in 1792, where he died. He and another young man named Foster were sent to
represent a colony from Long Island. His wife was Eunice (Howell) Reeves. Howell
Reeves was educated in the common schools. He came to Marion in 1837, and settled
on a farm now owned by subject, where he died October 7, 1865. and his wife Sep-
tember 13, 1876. Our subject was reared on a farm, educated in Marion Academy, has
always followed farming and owns eighty acres of land. He enlisted in 1862 in Com-
pany" B, 9th N. Y. Artillery, and served three years. He was at Cold Harbor, Win-
chester, Cedar Creek, and Monocacy. He has been assessor twenty- five years. He
married September 18, 1868, Dolly Williams, widow of Alvan Andrew, who was killed
at the battle of Winchester. She was a daughter of Albert and Eliza Williams, who
came to Ontario in 1836 and then to Marion previous to the war, where Mr. Williams
died January 6, 1884, and his wife April 28, 1891. Mr. Reeves and wife have had two
sons: Albert H., a clerk in Rochester, and George S., at home. Mr. Reeves had three
brothers in tlie late war.
Richmond, Thomas J., was born in Onondaga county February 3, 1824. His father,
Jacob Richmond, was a native of New Jersey, moving to Manlius, Onondaga county,
where he married Esther ClarrC, daughter of Christopher Clark. He was a tailor by
trade, and for several years he followed this occupation, when he sold out his business
and invested his money in a farm, and was engaged in farming up to the time of his
death, which occurred in 1842. Ten children were born to him, Thomas J. Richmond,
the subject of this sketch, being the third child. Mr. Thomas Richmond was connected
with the building of several different railroads, viz. : The Ogdensburg R. R., portions
of the Malone, N. Y. Central from Palmyra east; and eight miles west of Batavia.
He has built several miles of canal and about forty miles of railroad in Canada, and in
company with Nathaniel Green built the aqueduct in Macedon. He is the owner of
one hundred and ninety acres of fine land. In politics he is a Republican.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 207
Roe, William, born December 14, 1834, is the second son of Willis and Flora S. Roe,
of Wayne county. Daniel Roe, the paternal grandfather of William Roe, came to
Butler from Connecticut in 1812, and was a man of much prominence. He died in
1852, at the age of ninety, leaving five sons and five daughters. William Roe was
graduated from Wesleyan University in 1855, and after the study of law with Judge
Collin, was admitted to the bar in 1862. He was for six years the partner of his
former preceptor, Judge Collin, beginning an independent practice in 18G8. Mr. Roe
has a large legal business, and has been a member two years of the Democratic State
Central Committee. He married, June 30, 1857, Sarah Dill, of Wolcott, and they
have two sons and four daughters.
Rogers, Hiram C. (deceased), second son of Col. Bartlett C. Rogers, was born July
21, 1835, educated at Lyons and Fort Plain, after which he accompanied his father,
who went out as captain of the 160th NY. Vols., to the war, acting as sutler to that
regiment, returning in 1865. He served as deputy sheriff. At the age of thirty- one
he married Julia C, daughter of H. Gr. Dickerson, of Lyons, and who are the parents
of two sons, Heman D., of Detroit, Mich., and Percy L. Hiram C. died October 28,
1888, at the age of fifty-three, leaving a wife and two sons to take up his many plans
and carry them to completion. He was generous and benevolent in disposition, taking
an active interest in educational and religious institutions, being a member of the Pres-
byterian church. He was ready to answer when called.
Patridge, Daniel, was born in the town of Manchester, Ontario county, August 10,
1844. He has always followed farming, working his father's farm until he came on his
present place. He married Ann Kipp, of Macedon, and they have two children, Carrie
and Anna. Mr. Patridge owns 100 acres of land and keeps a small dairy. He is a
member of the Grange and in politics is a Republican.
Phillips, John M., was born in Wolcott September 25, 1860. His parents, William
W. and Hannah, were for many years domiciled where our subject now resides. John
Phillips is a young man of more than ordinary ability and highly esteemed wherever
he is known. He acquired a thorough education at Red Creek, and in early manhood
engaged in his chosen vocation, conducting the homestead farm of 100 acres. He has
found time to fill various positions of trust in his town, but is largely devoted to his
family and his home. His wife was Victoria, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Green,
and they have two sons : William Meric, born February 8, 1884, and John M., jr., born
January 9, 1893. They lost a daughter, Beth, November 7, 1891, at the age of four
years.
Payne, William, was born in Heathfield, Sussex connty, England, December 9, 1845,
the oldest of two children born to Peter and Ann E. Payne, natives of England, where
the wife died September 25, 1850, and the family came to Ontario in March, 1854, and
moved on the town line between Ontario and Williamson, in about fifteen years moved
on south town line between Walworth and Ontario, and then to Walworth on a farm
owned by Tappan Merrill, and finally to Walworth village, where he now resides. He
married, a second time, Mary A. Payne, by whom he had three children. Mr. Payne
has been a farmer, but now lives a retired life in Walworth. Our subject was educated
in the common schools of England and this country. He came to America at the age of
nine years and at sixteen learned the carpenter's trade, followed it about twenty years,
and in 1883 purchased the farm of thirty acres he now owns, and follows general
farming, fruit raising, and fruit evaporating. Mr. Payne married, in 1871, Electa E.
Lane, a native of Ontario, and daughter of John and Hannah Lane, early settlers of
Ontario, but now resides in Macedon. Subject and wife have had two children, Ethel
F., who died in infancy, and Susie A. He was formerly a Democrat and held the office
of highway commissioner four years, but is now identified with the Republican party.
He is a member of Wayne County Lodge No. 416, F. & A. M. He was made a Mason
jus LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
in 1867, and has held the office of master of lodge six terms, and is also a member of the
South Shore Grange of Ontario. He and family are Universalists.
Parker, Lorenzo, a native of Delhi, N. Y., was born in 1810, and at the age of seven
years came to Palmyra, three miles north of the village, where his brother Seih pur-
chased 400 acres of land, and there lived and died. Lorenzo was one of six children,
and the only one whose descendants are still here. He resided with his parents till
1862, when he moved to Palmyra, and lived retired until his death in 1887, and there
his widow still lives. He married Charlotte S. Wales of Troy, a native of New Hamp-
shire, and of their six children two died in infancy, and the others are : Roderick W.,
a resident of Palmyra, Charles A., with the Metropolitan Telephone Company of New
York city; John M. who resides in Palmyra, and Clara M., a resident here. The orig-
inal tract of land is still in the possession of the children.
Pease, Charles, was born in Columbia county, August 2, 1810, son of Abel and
Elizabeth (Potts) Pease. By a previous marriage with Miss Whitbeck, Mr. Pease had
two children, both of whom are deceased. In 1828 he removed to Arcadia, in 1829 to
Manchester, Ontario county, and in 1834 came to Ontario, Wayne county, where he
spent his last days. Charles Pease is a natural mechanic, and has followed manufactur-
ing of various articles in connection with his farm business. To the original homestead
he has added till he now owns a splendid farm of 207 acres, and has a feed mill, cider
mill, etc. He is the first man of Ontario run a steam engine, and put in the first drain
tile in the town. January 8, 1832, he married Laura Beach, born in Hamilton, Madison
county, September 23, 1811, a daughter of Nathaniel and Lucy (Smith) Beach, natives
of Massachusetts. They had two sons and three daughters, Mrs. Pease being the only
one now living. Mr. and Mrs. Pease have had two sons and seven daughters : Annetta,
who died aged twelve years; Lucy, wife of Edward H. Pound, deceased; Charles
Wesley, general mechanic, now resides in Rochester. His wife is Alma Giberson, a
native of Ohio. In 1862 he enlisted in the war, and in 1863 was made second lieuten-
ant and promoted first lientenant of the 10th Colored Regiment; Emily, wife of W.
Speller of Ontario ; Louisa, died April 11, 1844; Celinda, wife of Isaac Hurley of On-
tario ; Alzora, wife of Charles Gernee of Ontario ; Frank, who is general manufacturer
and inventor in Rochester. His wife is Ella Meyer of Rochester ; and Fannie, wife of
Conrad Schnetzer, of Ontario. Mr. and Mrs. Pease celebrated their golden wedding
ten years ago. He is a liberal supporter of the M. E. Church, of which his wife is a
member.
Powers, William A., the genial and popular owner and proprietor of the JPowers
Hotel, corner of Main and Fayette streets, is a native of Ontario county, born in Farm-
ington in 1852. The hotel was built as the Palmyra Hotel, on the site of the old Eagle
Hotel, by a stock company in 1836, at a cost of about $12,000, and was at the time the
finest hotel structure in western New York. April 5, 1838, it was sold at auction to
William P. Nottingham, who became its first landlord, and continued its management
for over twenty-five years. The house was owned and conducted by other parties for
a short time following Mr. Nottingham's retirement, and in 1867 Robert Hale came into
possession and was for several years proprietor and owner. Under his management the
house was changed and improved. In 1872 Joseph E. Cochran bought the furniture and
fixtures, and leased the building for five years, at the expiration of which time C. B.
Stewart become owner and proprietor for two years, then leased it for five years to
L. D. Cummings. Pliny T. Sexton then bought the property, and in turn sold it in
1886 to Mr. Powers, who gave it its present name. This hotel is under the efficient
management of Mr. and Mrs. Powers as host and hostess, and is deservedly one of
the most popular in the State. It is a three-story fifty-room building, with a wide
porch and a row of Ionic columns in front, making it strikingly attractive in appear-
ance.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 209
Patterson, Roger J., was born in Edwards, St. Lawrence county, March 11, 1834.
His father, John, came from Belfast, North Ireland, in 1832, and were of English
descent. He first settled at Edwards, and in 1835 removed to Sheldon, Wyoming
county. He was supervisor and a prominent man in that town. Roger J. was edu-
cated in the common schools, attended Genesee Wesleyan Seminary and afterward
graduated at 0. K. Chamberlain's Business College, Baltimore, Md., and came to Wayne
county in 1859. He enlisted in the U. S. Army August 8, 1864, in the city of Wash-
ington, and was detailed as hospital steward with the surgeon-general, and was dis-
charged in March 1866. In 1867 he established a mercantile business, which he con-
tinued up to 1876. and then traveled on the road for ten years. In 1893 he was ap-
pointed police justice in his town. At the age of twenty-five he married Martha A.,
daughter of John Veeder, of Marille, Erie county, and they are the parents of one son.
Harry W., now of Denver, Col. Our subject is one of the leading men in his town,
taking an active interest in educational and religious matters, identified in advancing
the best interests of his town, and is recognized as a man of sterling integrity.
Phillips, Clarence A., was born in Auburn, Cayuga county, July 11, 1858, and came
to Lyons in 1879. He was educated in the common schools, to which he has added
through life by reading and close observation. In 1892 in connection with Edward B.
Graff, he formed a partnership and established his present business of dry goods,
groceries, crockery and glassware, carrying the leading and one of the best selected
stocks in Lyons. At the age of twenty-eight he married Louisa A., daughter of
Henry M. Baltzel, of Lyons, and they are the parents of three children : Joseph C,
Mabel and Edith. Our subject is a Democrat in politics and was nominated for presi-
dent of the village in 1894, taking an intelligent interest in educational and religious
matters, and isidentic5ed in advancing the best interests of his town, where he is recog-
nized as a man of conservative character and strict integrity, whose word is as good as
his bond.
Parshall, Rossman J., was born in Palmyra November 18, 1844. His father, Hendee,
was a native of the county, who died at the age of seventy-six and was a prominent
farmer. Rossman J. was educated in the common schools and finished at the Macedon
Academy, after which he enlisted in -111th N. Y. Volunteers, and took part in the
closing battles of the war, receiving wounds in the back of the neck and shoulder. He
received an honorable discharge in July, 1865, holding the rank of second lieutenant at
the end of his service. The 111th Regiment was a part of the Second Army Corps of
the Army of the Potomac, and was known as the fighting regiment of that corps.
After leaving the army he returned to Palmyra, and in 1866 came to Lyons and ac-
cepted a position as bookkeeper in the Lyons National Bank, where he remained until
1870. In 1872 he went to Sodus and took charge of the Shaker tract of land, and in
1879 was appointed collector of the Port of Sodus Point and held the position up to
1886, when he was elected sheriff and came to Lyons. At the expiration of the term
of office he established the present firm of Parshall & Sweeting in the wholesale and
retail lumber business. At the age of twenty-eight he married Kate E., daughter of
Charles E. Thurber of Palmyra, and they have one son, Ross T. Mrs. Parshall died
April 5, 1892, regretted by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Pritchard, Edward, one of the veteran defenders of his country's flag, was born in
Butler December 13, 1836, second son of the late William and Lydia Pritchard. In
1861 he enlisted in Company H, 75th N. Y. State Volunteers, and was first under fire
at the bombardment of Fort Pickens in Florida. Unable to endure the climate and
privations of Santa Rosa Island, he was honorably discharged in 1863. Josephine
Greenfield, of Butler, to whom he was married in 1870, has three children : Elmer, who
died March 20. 1893, at twenty-one years of ag», leaving a widow and one daughter,
Sarah, wife of Ernest Knowlton, of Butler, and Leland now eight years of age.
21(1 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
Quereau, George Henry, was born in Sterling, Cayuga county, June 4, 1846, son of
William Quereau, born in Westchester county in June, 1819, who came to Wayne
county in 1847, and settled in the town of Wolcott. He was road commis-
sioner, overseer of the poor, and filled various other offices. His wife was Mrs.
Sabra Myers Lewis, and their children were : George H., William, Jennie, Frank,
Corie, and Dewitt. When eighteen years of age our subject went to Michigan,
where he engaged in the egg business from 1872 to 1882. Since that time
he has been a resident of Huron. Since 1890 he has been interested in the evapor-
ated apple business in Monterey, Mich. In 1869 he married Henrietta, daughter of
Thomas and Sarah Bean, born in St. Lawrence county, of English extraction, and their
children are: Mary Belle, Frank B., and Henry N. Our subject has served as overseer
of the poor three terms, is a member of the Masonic order, Vernon Lodge No. 66, of
Michigan. He and his wife are members of the Huron Grange.
Patrick, R. Z., a retired contractor and builder, of Red Creek, was born July 23, 1814,
in Otsego county, N. Y. For many years largely identified with the best business
interests of this place, he is yet a hale and hearty man at eighty years of age, and
worthy of the esteem in which he is held. His first wife was Mary Snyder, to whom
he was married in 1842, and who at her death in 1875 at the age of fifty-five left two
children: Lucy, the only daughter, now deceased; and one son, George, a resident of
Missouri. In April, 1878, Mr. Patrick married Hannah Moore, of Baldwinsville, N. Y.
Always a Republican he has held many official positions with honor and fidelity.
Osborn, P. F., was born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., April 10, 1846. He is the
second child of a family of five children, born to Roswell and Emily J. (Arnold) Osborn,
natives of Cayuga county, N. Y., and early settlers of Cattaraugus county, The father
died in Wisconsin during a short residence in that State in 1886, at the age of sixty-
eight years. The mother still resides in Ontario Centre. Mr. P. F. Osborn was reared
in the village of Sandusky, N. Y., and there educated. He was a carpenter by trade,
although he had spent six years in the oil regions. In 1883 Mr. Osborn came to Ontario
Centre and engaged in the mercantile business, where he has been very successful. Mr.
Osborn is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the Webster Lodge No. 538,
K. Sz A. M., and Palmyra Eagle Chapter No. 79, R. A. M. Mr. Osborn was married
twice, first, in 1869 to Augusta Ely, a native of Rushford, N. Y. By this marriage he
had one child, Ernest, who died at the age of five years. Mrs. Osborn died in 1872, and
in 1879 he married B. Agnes Sweeney, a native of Cattaraugus county. Byhissecond
marriage he had one son, Homer S., born in 1885.
Olmsted, William A., was born in Canada, May 7, 1852, son of Lauren Olmsted, a
native of Huron, born in 1818, and a farmer by occupation. In 1840 he went to Canada,
and while there married Sarah Reddington, a native of Canada. Some years later he
returned to the homestead in Huron, where he was born and now resides. His father
was Elijah Olmsted, a pioneer of Huron. At the age of twenty-three our subject began
farming, in 1874 purchased his father-in-law's homestead, in 1894 moved to North Huron
and engaged in a general mercantile business, where his genial disposition and business
ability cannot but insure him success. In 1875 he married Phoebe, daughter of Martin
McLaughlin, who came to Huron in 1830. She was born in 1854. They have two
children: Mary E., born July 24, 1876, and Grare B., born March 12, 1879. Mr. Olmsted
served two terms as collector, and he and wife are members of the Huron Grange
Lodge.
Orchard, R. P., was born in Bath, Somersetshire, England, June 9, 1811, son of
Abram K. and Mary (Cuthbertson) Orchard, he a native of Bath, and she of Neath, near
Swanzey. England. The father of Ahram K. was a bookbinder by trade, and also a
minister of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He died in 1857, aged sixty-seven years,
and his wife in ,1813. Subject was reared in South Wales at Mantyglo. He began work
FAMILY SKETCHES. ill
in the iron works and at nineteen years of age took charge of a coal yard. He remained
in that work until 1838, when he came to Rochester and engaged in the grocery business
twenty-eight years, and in 1872 came to Walworth, where he has lived retired. Mr.
Orchard was married three times, first to Elizabeth Whitehead in 1844, by whom he had
one child, Rowel R., who resides in Washington as a livery manager. His second wife
was Charlotte Baker, and his third wife, whom he married December 19, 1884, was
Diana Turner, widow of Silas Turner, of Walworth. Mr. Turner died in 1881. Rowel
R. married Hannah Everdeen, by whom he had three children : Charles, Libbie and
Willie. Mrs. Orchard, wife of subject, first married Harvey Howes, by whom she had
five children now living: Roswell F., Harriet A., E. Clarissa, Charles H., and William
H, all living in Michigan, except Charles H., who is a Baptist minister of Clyde. Mr.
Orchard has made his own property, and was the first man to deliver goods from a store
in Rochester.
O'Dell, John S., a native of Washington county, born May 31, 1845, is the second of
two sons and one daughter of James and Hannah (Williams) O'Dell, natives of Wash-
ington county. They came to Marion in 1866, and settled on the farm now owned by
our subject. James O'Dell was a shoemaker by trade, at which he worked in Wash-
ington county, but lie had a farm. The grandparents were James and Sallie O'Dell, of
Washington county. He was a carpenter and millwright by trade. He went from
Washington county to Onondaga and thence to Alleghany county, where he died. The
paternal great-grandfather 'was Solomon Dutcher of Washington county. The father of
our subject remains on the farm till the death of his wife, September 27, 1887. Soon
after he sold the farm to his son John J., and returned to his native county, where he
still resides aged seventy-eight years. Our subject married in 1878 Emma E., daughter
of Edwin Curtis, of Marion, and they have one daughter, Hattie, born July 6, 1883.
Mr. O'Dell's farm consists of one hundred acres, and he follows general farming and
fruit growing.
Newberry, E. W., was born June 3, 1841, at Huron. He was educated at Falley
Seminary, Fulton, and his early years were spent on a farm. In 1874 he engaged in
general hardware business, beside undertaking, at Wolcott, and in 1884 established the
firm of Newberry & Burton, furniture dealers and funeral directors. In 1865 he mar-
ried Josie C, daughter of Rev. Amasa Jones, of Huron. She died in 1881, leaving
three children : Myrta J., Merritt E., and Albert J. Mr. Newberry again married in
1883 Cordelia Furbush, of Wolcott, who has two children, Mary A., and Bradnor F.
He is an earnest Republican, and beside many minor offices has served as coroner twelve
years.
Noonan, M. D., born in Province of Munster, Clare county, Ireland, February 2,
1829, is a son of Michael and Ellen Noonan. The father died in Ireland, and his wife
came to Macedon and there lived and died. Our subject was educated in Ireland, in
1849 came to Cayuga county, and the same year came to Sodus, and has with the ex-
ception of one and one-half years in Ohio, as foreman for Thomas Richmond, resided in
Wayne county. He is a farmer and owns eighty-three acres of land. He married,
November 9, 1851, Catharine Haloran, a native of Ireland, and daughter of Thomas
Haloran, who came to Wayne county in 1849, and died in Ohio. Mr. Noonan and wife
have had fourteen children: Thomas M., Francis, John D., Margaret E., Kittle B.,
Sarah W., Jennie W., Joseph W., Nellie, Dennie E., Charles E., Mary L., Willie, and
one who died in infancy. Mr. Noonan is a member of the Marion Grange.
Norman, William, of Macedon, was born here September 1, 1844.' His father was
Isaac Norman, a native of England, who came here at the age of twenty years, settling
in Marion, N. Y., where he followed farming for a time, then took up masonry, working
at his trade for forty years. He died at the age of seventy-five years. His wife,
Elizabeth Smith, died in 1893, aged eighty years. Of their eight children our subject is
212 LANDMARKS]>OFi WAYNE£COUNTY.
the fifth. He was educated in the common schools, and married first, Elizabeth Plumrn,
of this town, by whom he had two children, one now living. His second marriage was
with Elizabeth Glover, of Macedon, and they have four children, all living. Mr.
Norman's farm consists of 118 acres, and he follows general farming.
Middleton, Ira, was born in Ontario, January 28, 1855, the youngest of three children
of Joseph and Orsena (Hill) Middleton, the former a native of Johnstown, N. Y., born
November 4, 1812, and the latter born in Macedon, June 12, 1821. The father of
Joseph was William, a native of New Jersey, who came to Ontario in 1813, where he
died in 1842, and his wife, Catharine McArthur, in 1871. The father of Mrs. Joseph
Middleton was Ira Hill, born in Macedon in 1795, who married Fannie Gilbert, of Mas-
sachusetts, born in 1798, and died in 1832. He married Elvira, sister of his first wife.
He died in 1865. Joseph Middleton spent his life in Ontario and followed farming,
owning 300 acres. He was a Republican and served as highway commissioner, assessor,
and supervisor. He died April 10, 1891, and his family now reside on the homestead.
Ira was educated in the Marion Collegiate Institute, and has always resided at home.
He is engaged in farming, and also deals in coal and merchandise. He is a Republican
in politics, and was appointed postmaster in 1887 atFruitland, which office he held until
1893. December 30, 1891, he married Lena Mack, daughter of Philip and Lucina
(Easton) Mack, of Ontario.
Miller, F. L., was born in Lee Center, Oneida county, January 26, 1859, laid the
foundation of his education in the common schools, to which he has added through life
by reading and close observation, being a self made and self educated man. In 1894 he
came to Lyons and established his present business, carrying a large stock of dry goods,
hardware, crockery, fishing tackle, making a specialty of all house furnishing goods.
At the age of twenty-three he married Clara Merchant, daughter of Henry Merchant,
of Central Square, and are the parents of two sons: William H. and Howard L. Our
subject is recognized as one of the most progressive and enterprising merchants in his
town, identified in advancing the best interests, and in the leading events of the day.
Mapes, George, was born in Lyons February 14, 1852. His father, Jacob, came
from Alsace, Germany, in 1840. George was educated in the Lyons Union School, to
which he has added through life by reading and close observation. After engaging in
various enterprises, in 1876 he established his present business of manufacturing cigars,
and is now employing twenty hands, having an output of from 700,000 to one million
cigars yearly, and is one of the best known manufacturers in Central and Western New
York. At the age of twenty-three he married Elizabeth, daughter of Charles Frank of
Lyons, and they are the parents of three children, two of whom are now living: Will-
iam H. and George F. Our subject is one of the most active business men in his town,
and takes an active interest in educational and religious matters.
Munn, John, deceased, was born in Kent, England, and came to the United States in
1820, first settling in Waterloo. He came to Wayne county in 1835. He married
Sarah Filkins, who died in 1845, and afterwards remarried Mrs. Fannie Burnett,
daughter of Gilbert Noolan, and who were the parents of four children, three of whom
are now living: J. F. Munn, M.D., of Syracuse, and George and Frank of Lyons, who
are now managing the estate in connection with their farm adjoining, raising fruit, hay,
gram and stock. George Munn married at twenty-four years of age Eva L., daughter
of Warren C. Depew, of Lyons, and have one son, George D. George was educated at
the Lyons Union School and at the Cayuga Lake Academy, and afterwards taught for
eleven years. Frank was educated at the Wolcott Academy, after which they returned
to the homestead in Lyons, where they are recognized as conservative men of sterling
integrity and moral worth.
Mirick, W. P., was born in Lyons April 5, 1859. His father, Nelson R., was a native
of the town of Rose, came to Lyons in 1857, and was prominently identified in the
FAMILY SKETCHES. 213
business interests of his town. W. P. Mirick was educated in the Lyons Union School,
after leaving which he engaged in active business life establishing a coal and grocery
business in 1881. In 1889 he added the malting business to his other interests, also
conducts a farm of 150 acres one mile west of Lyons. At the age of twenty-nine he
married Ellen, daughter of Van R. Richmond of Lyons. He is a Democrat in politics
and was supervisor of the town in 1890. Oursnbject is one of the most active business
men in nis town, identified in advancing its best interests, and is identified as a man of
high business ability and sterling worth.
Michel, Mrs. Mary (Sedore), was born in Savannah, Wayne county, in 1835, and was
the daughter of John B. and Eunice (Weeks) Sedore, who were farmers. She is the
granddaughter of David and Catherine Sedore of Saratoga. In 1861 she married
Hanry, son of Philip Michel, a native of Gee, Noghern, near the Rhine and Cologne,
and who came to America in 1849. He has five children : Andrew, Henry, Katie,
Adam and Elizabeth. To Mr. and Mrs. Michel has been born one child, Addie, who
died at the age of sixteen. Mr. Michel is a wide-awake, enterprising man. He began
farming at twenty-five, and in time accumulated a large property. His death occurred
in 1392, since which time our subject has conducted the farm. She is one of a family
of thirteen children. She is a member of Wolcott Grange, P. of H., No. 348, and a
lady of business ability.
Myers, J. C, was born in the canton of Arragh, Switzerland, and came to the United
States in 1854, at six years of age. His father, Francis Myers, came direct to Lyons.
J. C. was educated in the common schools, and is pre-eminently a self-made and self
educated man. At the age of tweniy-eight he married Emma, Baltzel, daughter of
Henry Baltzel of Lyons, and they have five children : Nelton Newell, Belle, Frances
and Florence. In 1870 he came to the village of Lyons, and in 1884 established the
hardware and agricultural implements, feeds and produce business. He is a Democrat
in politics, and was a candidate for county treasurer in 1889, also takes an active intelli-
gent interest in educational and religious matters. Subject is one of the leading busi-
ness men in his town, identified in advancing its best interests, and is recognized as a
man of strict integrity and sterling worth.
Moore, Charles H., was born in Lyons, May 4, 1841. His father, Zebulon Moore,
was one of the prominent business men and contractors of Central New York, and at
his death Charles H. took up his many large contracts und business interests and carried
them to a successful completion. He is now associated with his brother-in-law, S, D.
Holmes, in prosecuting large business interests in Canada, where they have accepted
and completed severel large railroad contracts. At the age of twenty-three he married
Catharine L., daughter of Alanson Whitney, of Kendall, Orleans county, and they are
the parents of three children: Zebulon, Mrs. Mary Grace Thornhill, and Bessie. Our
subject is one of the most active business men in his town, taking an active interest in
educational and religious matters.
Munn, William H., was born in Lyons, October 15, 1861. His father, John H., was
engaged in the mercantile and produce business. William H. was educated in the
Lyons Union School. In 1881 he bought the Munn homestead property of ninety-seven
acres, which has been in the family fifty years. In 1890 he bought the Philip Goetzman
estate of forty-seven acres, raising mint, fruit, hay, grain and stock. At the age of
twenty-five he married Katie E., daughter of Cornelius 0. Brundage, and they are the
parents of two children : John H., and Leona B. Our subject is one of the most enter-
prising citizens of his town, taking an active interest in educational and religious
matters.
Murphy, John H., was born in Macedon, April 24, 1855. His father, John Murphy,
was a native of Ireland and came to this country in 1849, and settled in Macedon, where
214 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
he bought a small place. He married Margaret Coniff, of Ireland, and to them were
born six children, including our subject, John H. Murphy. Mr. Murphy, the son, was
educated in the Union School at Macedon and studied medicine in Buffalo. He is now
engaged in farming, having bought the Van Duzer farm of 140 acres. In 1S84 he mar-
ried Mary J. Dalton, of Lyons, and they are the parents of five children. Mr. Murphy
is an Independent.
Martz, Frederick, is a native of Germany and came to this country eighteen years
ago. He settled in Palmyra, and for eleven years was engaged in farm work, then he
bought the farm he now lives on, consisting of thirty-one acres. He married Mary
Smith, daughter of Frederick Smith, and they have two children. Mr. Martz is a mem-
ber of the German church. In politic3 he is a Republican.
Mansfield, George, Macedon, was born in England in December, 1848, came to this
county with his parents in 1852, and settled in Brighton, Monroe county. His father
is a blacksmith by trade and worked at it until 1874, when he bought a farm and moved
to Macedon Centre, where he has since continued the business. He married Charlotte
Haygreen, of England, and they had two children, Charles, living in Michigan, and
George, our subject. Subject followed the blacksmith's trade until a year ago, when he
bought the farm of eighty-four acres, which he still owns. He received a common
school and academic education. He married in 1874 Elizabeth Ford, of Highland Mills
Orange county, and they have two children, George and Leroy, who were educated in
Macedon Academy.
Mack, Ira W., born in the old town of Wolcott, June 10, 1835, is the youngest son
of the late John and Hannah Mack. John Mack was a soldier of 1812, and his father,
the paternal grandfather of our subject, of the Revolution. Mrs. Ira Mack is a daughter
of the late Gansevoort Center. Estelle, their older daughter, married Jacob Crounce of
Hannibal, Oswego, N. Y., and Jennie, next younger, maried William Crounce, of Butler.
They have also two sons, Gansevoort, and Ira, jr.
Murphy, Joseph E., was born in New York city, December 21, 1847. His father,
Patrick Murphy, was a native of Ireland and came to the United States when fourteen
years of age in 1830, and settled in Lockport, where he died in 1893 at the age of seventy-
seven. Joseph E. Murphy was educated in Lockport, after which he engaged in the
clothing trade for three years, and then learned the tanner's trade. In 1877 he came
to Clyde and entered the employ of L. B. Denio. Two years later he purchased the
interest of P. S. Nash and formed a partnership with P. Ira Lake, continuing up to
1883, when Mr. Lake disposed of his interest to Thomas M. Ellicott. The firm is the
leading hardware business in Clyde, and makes a specialty of fine plumbing. At the age
of twenty-five years Mr. Murphy married Miss Susie Kimball, of Northfield, Vt., who
died in 1885. In 1889 he remarried, his second wife being Mary Fraher, daughter of
Edward Fraher, of Clyde, and they are the parents of these children : George Harold,
Maude K., and Mary Alice.
Miller, Charles A., was born in Williamson. March 23, 1860, the son of John and
Mary Skinner Miller, he born in Greenfield, Saratorga county, and she in Waterloo,
N. Y. The grandfather of our subject was Philaster Miller, of Greenfield, Saratoga
county, N. Y. John Miller is a farmer and lives a retired life in Pultt eyville. His wife
died when our subject was an infant, and Mr. Miller married Sarah L. Throop, of
Williamson. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools.
He now resides with his grandfather.
McKee, Hiram, was born in Webster, Monroe county, July 10, 1846, the only son of
David and Agnes A. (Rodgers) McKee, both of Webster. The former died about 1850,
and the latter in 1892. After the death of her husband Mrs. McKee married second.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 215
Peter Brewer, and removed to Virginia, where she died. Hiram was educated in the
common and select schools of Pultneyville, and August 3, 1863, enlisted in the 8th N.Y.
Cavalry, serving till the close of the war. He was at Winchester, Cedar Creek, Lee's
surrender, and received several wounds. August 4, 1866, he married Mariette, daughter
of Harvey Sherburne, of this county, who died in 1891. They have these children :
Dell, Oliver, May, Clyde, and Marshall. Mr. McKee carries on general farming and
fruit raising, and has served as collector, inspector of elections, etc. He is a member of
Walworth Grange No. 254, F. & A. M., and also of the G. A. R., Fish Post.
Milhan, Martin L., born October 30, 1851, in Williamson, is a son of Martin and
Maria Milhan. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He has
always been engaged in farming, and owns eighty acres of the old homestead. He is a
member of the P. of H. of Williamson. He married, December 23, 1874, Mary J.
Barclay, who live in Sodus. Mr. Milhan and wife have three children : Effie, who died
in infancy ; Helen L., and Martin S.
McCourtie, John, is the son of one of the sturdy pioneers of Butler, bearing the same
name, who cleared the homestead where our subject now resides, and died there in 1842
at the early age of thirty- nine years. Of his two sons, John and William, the latter is
engaged in real estate and milling business at Kalamazoo, Mich., and John, of whom we
write, is one of the representative farmers of this section, and highly esteemed by all
who know him. His wife is Melissa, daughter of Eleazer Smith, who was also a man
of note in the early days of Butler. They Avere married August 28, 1853, and have two
children: Jennie, born June 10, 1870, and Smith, born December 1, 1859, and who
married Orpha Andrews, of Spring Lake.
Mack. I. T., third son of John and Hannah Mack, who came to Wayne county in 1820,
settling in Wolcott, near Fairhaven, where Isaac was born in 1826, one of a family of
eight. John Mack was a prisoner of the war of 1812, and his father who reached the
great age of ninety-seven years, was a soldier of the Revolution. John Mack died in
1849 at the age of sixty years, and his wife, Hannah, in 1874, when seventy-five. Our
subject has always devoted himself to farming, and has been very successful in that
business, still operating nearly three hundred acres of land devoted to general farming
His wife, Lucy M. Center of Butler, to whom he was married September 30, 1852, is
the mother of six children : Nancy L., the wife of A. W. Park, of Wolcott ; Carrie,
wife of Azael Harder, of Butler; Abraham C, a resident of Kansas City, Mo.; Gibson
B., a graduate of Albany Normal School, and of Eastman Business College ; William G.,
engaged in the acquisition of a medical education, and Elizabeth, wife of Lincoln Har-
der, of Butler.
Mead, Rev. John Calvin, was born in Burdett, Schuyler county, October 8, 1859.
His father, G. J. Mead, was a prominent farmer of his town. The family are of Scotch
and English descent, and were among the earliest settlers in Central New York. John
C. was educated in the common schools, and entered Cook Academy at, Havana,
where his preparation for college was completed. In 1879 he entered Hamilton, taking
the classical course, and graduated in 1880 with the degree of A.B., receiving special
prizes as an essayist and debator; also giving special attention to the study of the law.
In the fall of 1883 he entered the Theological Seminary at Auburn, graduating in 1886,
and the same year was installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Canastota, re -
ceiving the degree of A.M. from his Alma Mater. He remained in Canastota six years,
the church body increasing threefold under his pastorate. The death of his mother in
1882 caused several extended trips t ) Europe and in the United States, entering also
the lecture field. In 1892 he came to Clyde and was installed as pastor of the Presby-
terian Church. At the age of thirty-three he mairied Martha, daughter of Abram
Lansing, of Albany. The church under his charge has been invigorated and the mem-
ship increased.
216 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Morrison, Jacob, a native of Holland, born February 9, 1838, was the eldest of five
children of William and Janet Morrison, natives of Holland, who came to Marion in
I860, where they died. Oar subject was reared on a farm, educated in Holland and
Marion, and has followed general farming-. He married in 1864 Sarah, daughter of
William Lookup, by whom he had three children : William, George and Frank. Will-
iam married Nellie Michel; George married Alhe Davis and Frank married Maggie
Meatt. Mrs. Morrison died December 6, 1892.
Murphy, James S., manufacturer of harnesses, dealer in whips, nets, dusters, blankets,
oils, etc., was born in Cold Water, Mich., May 8, 1859, son of Myrtie and Mary
(Keeley) Murphy, natives of Ireland. They came to Palmyra about 1840 and worked
on railroad and canal and soon went to Cold Water, but returned to Palmyra. They
again returned to Michigan and in 1866 came to Palmyra and purchased a farm in Wal-
worth, which he sold and went to Ontario and bought sixty-five acres. He went to
Macedon in 1892 and purchased eighty-two acres, where he now lives. Mrs. Murphy
died September 13, 1891. Subject was educated in Ontario, and in 1882 learned the
harness trade with William G. Beckwith, of Williamson, came to Walworth in 1890,
and has since had a very successful business.
Little. Henry M., was born December 8, 1853, in Macedon. John Little, his father,
was born in 1819. His occupation was farming and drover, handling cattle, sheep,
hogs, etc. For nearly twenty years of his early life he shipped stock to New York
markets of many different States. He held the office of justice of peace two terms in
Murray. He married in 1850 Harriet T. Allen, by whom he had three children: Henry
M., our subject, Emma and Mary, the latter being deceased. Our subject is engaged in
farming and the breeding of blooded stock, also in the drug business. He was educated
at Hulberton and Macedon, where he finished. He has been commissioner of highways,
and for the last two years has been president of the village. He has been vice-presi-
dent of the Trotting Horse Breeders' Association of the State of New York for seven
vears, has many times acted as judge on stock at prominent fairs in the State, and is a
member of the A. 0. U. W., and the Knights of the Maccabees. He married in 1875,
and has two children, Allen T. and Mable D.
Langden, Alonzo, was born in Palmyra in 1822, where he resided till the age of
twenty six years, when he went to Chicago, III, for a year, returning to Palmyra in
1851. He remained here until 1868, then spent another two years in Chicago, a year
in New York, Buffalo, and then returned home. In 1872 he engaged in the rectifying
business, which he followed six years, and then worked at the grocery trade. He sold
his stock in the latter in 1884, but after a year took it back, and has since been engaged
in the grocery business. Benjamin, father of Alonzo, came from the East to Onondaga
county and married Nancy Burden, of New Jersey, whose father, Abraham Burden,
was a soldier in the war of 1812. He died in Chautauqua county. Benjamin Langden
and wife both died in Palmyra. They were the parents of six children, of whom our
subject was the oldest. The latter has been engaged at different times in the distilling
business, but has now abandoned it. In 1862 he bought a farm near Palmyra, and in
1872 purchased a storehouse. In 1846 he married Mary Page, by whom he has two
children, William and George.
Lockwood, B. F., proprietor of the Lyons Sewer Pipe Works, was born in Victory,
June 6, 1850, came to Lyons in 1883, and engaged in the manufacture of sewer pipe,
having the largest and most complete plant in Wayne connty. In 1892 he added a
barrel manufactory to his business, producing from 10 to 25,000 barrels per year, and
10,000 feet of different sizes of cement pipe, 500 yards of sand and gravel and handling
4 to 500 tons of cement per year. At the age of twenty-two he married Jennie
daughter of Alfred Brooks, of Wolcott, and they have two daughters, Mary L., and
Florence E. Our subject is one of the most enterprising men in his town, taking an
FAMILY SKETCHES. 217
active interest in educational and religious matters, and is identified in the leading events
of the day.
Lapham, 0. C, was born in the town of Macedon in August, 1837. His father, 0.
Lapham, was born within half a mile of the farm now owned by bis son, in 1807. He
has always been engaged in farming. His education was acquired in the district schools
of the town. He married Elizabeth Reed, of Macedon. daughter of Paul Reed, and they
were the parents of six children, including 0. C. Lapham. 0. C. Lapham, the son, was
brought up on the farm and has always been occupied in farm work. He was educated
in the district schools of Macedon. In 1867 he married Mary White, daughter of Paul
White, of Walworth. They are the parents of one child, Emery D., who is at present
postal clerk between Cleveland and Syracuse. He has been in the service one and one-
half years. He received his education from the Macedon Academy and Rochester Busi-
ness College. Mr. 0. C. Lapham is a Republican and has served as assessor nine years
and commissioner five years. He is a member of the G. A. R., Post 450 of Macedon,
having served in the war from 1862 to 1865, and was in thirteen battles. Mrs. Lapham
is a member of the Baptist church.
Lotze, John, was born in Germany, August 12, 1837, son of Anthony and Catharine
(Pauline) Lotze, natives of Germany, where they died. He was a wagonmaker by
trade, and died in 1874, and his wife in 1864. Subject was educated in Germany and
at the age of fifteen came to America, located in East Walworth and worked in Marion
on a farm. He then learned the wagonmaker's trade, which he followed thirty years in
West Walworth, where he came in 1856. In 1890 he engaged in the mercantile busi-
ness, which he has since followed. He also handles phosphates and is an insurance
agent, representing various companies. He has been constable, town clerk, poormaster,
has been justice of the peace five years, which office he still holds, and has also been
postmaster four years. He is a member of the Evangelical Association of West Wal-
worth, has been class leader, exhorter, superintendent of Sunday school, and is now
assistant superintendent in the Evangelical Association of the New York Conference.
He is one of the well to do men of Walworfh. He married in 1861 Emma Baehler, a
native of Germany, who came to the United States with her mother, her father having
died in Germany. Mr. Lotze and wife have had one son, Henry J., who was educated
in Walworth, learned the jeweler's trade in Lyons, and is now employed by his father
in the store. His wife is Ettie , by whom he has three children, Carl, Elma, and
Blanche.
Lux, Charles A., was born in Clyde, October 30, 1858. His father, Ernest Lux, was
a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to the United States in 1840, settling in
Savannah. Charles A. Lux was educated at Fort Edward Institute and was graduated
from Cornell University in 1881, after which he came to Clyde and went into business
with his father. Mr. Lux is now doing a large cooperage and coal business and is one
of the leading business men of the town. He married Anna Myers, daughter of DeWitt
C. Myers, and have one daughter, Margaret M.
Lundy, Levi, was born in Eden, Erie county, February 22, 1822. His father, Jacob,
who was a native of New Jersey, settled first in Erie county and afterwards came to
Wayne county. He died in 1871, aged eighty -six years. Levi was educated in the
common schools, after which he worked out for several years, and in 1873 purchased
part of the Nathan Rogers farm of seventy-nine acres. At the age of thirty-one he
married Mrs. Julia Rogers, who died in 1862, and in 1870 he married second, Mrs.
Phoebe Lynch, daughter of Charles Bonnell, and they have one daughter, Mrs. Julia
Sloan. Our subject has been assessor twelve years, commissioner of highways nine
years, and is a member of the Society of Friends.
Laing, Captain John A., born in Boston, Erie county, July 5, 1820, was a son of
bb
218 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Elijah and Elizabeth Laing, natives of New Jersey. They went to Boston, Erie county,
in 1815, where Mr. Laing died in 1822, and his widow married David Pound and went
to Canada, where she reared three children by her second husband. She also died in
Canada. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools in
Boston, Erie county, and Waterloo Academy. He learned the carriage painters' trade,
and followed it many years, doing mostly ornamental work. He enlisted in August,
1862, in Company E, 111th N. Y. Volunteer Infantiy, and was mustered out in 1866,
serving one year after the close of the war. He was mustered in as second lieutenant,
promoted to lieutenant, and finally promoted to captain. Captain Laing was at Harp-
er's Ferry, Alexandria Railroad, Bristol Station, was wounded in the leg and sent home,
but soon returned and was again wounded at Morton's Ford. He was then at Mine
Run and the Wilderness, where he was twice wounded while in command of the regi-
ment. He was then taken to Washington, where he was in the hospital. He was
afterward sent to Annapolis, examined, mustered into the service, and was in command
of the Finley Hospital, and was there when the war closed. He remained until the
soldiers were mustered out and was then transferred to Elmira, N. Y., and was mustered
out in December, 1866. He married in 1846 Julia A. Marshall, a native of Fayette,
Seneca county, by whom he has had three children: Charlie, deceased; Lucy A. and
Charlie. Captain Laing has been inspector of election, town clerk, a member of the
Assembly in 1859, and has been justice of peace sixteen years. He was also justice of
peace four years in Marion. Our subject came to Marion in 1856 and removed to Will-
iamson in 1873, where he has since resided. He spent three years in Auburn, N. Y.,
as a keeper of the prison.
Loveless, Elnather, son of Ransom Loveless of Butler, was born here May 16, 1853.
Educated within the town of his own and his father's birth, he has shut himself with-
in its borders, chiefly engaged in farming. July 22, 1872, he married Ida M., daughter
of J. Adams Lowell of Savannah, of whom he was bereft, June 17, 1894. She was
thirty-nine years of age, and the mother of three children : Winifred, born February 13,
1879, Grace, born March 10, 1881, and Maud, born May 12, 1883.
Loomis, F. M., was born in Rome, Oneida county, April 12, 1841, son of Oscar and
Lucy Loomis, he a native of Onondaga county, and she of Oneida county. They came
to Marion in 1843 and settled on a farm, and finally came to Walworth and settled on
the farm owned by subject, where he died in 1890, aged eighty-two, and his wife in
1891, aged seventy-two. Subject was educated in Walworth Academy and Rochester
Business University. He enlisted in 1863 in Company B, 9th N". Y. Heavy Artillery
and served until the close of the war. He was at Cold Harbor, Winchester, Cedar
Creek, Monocacy, Petersburg, Five Forks and at Lee's Surrender. He was wounded
at Cold Harbor, Monocacy and Petersburg. Mr. Loomis married twice, first Novem-
ber 30, 1864, Alvira M., daughter of Isaac Freer, by whom he had two children :
Arthur D., who married Earna, daughter of Dr. Russell, of Marion, and they have a
son, Russell ; Adella M., at home. Mrs. Loomis died May 22, 1892, and he married
second Margaret T. Clum, a daughter of Ferdinand Clum, who came from Dutchess
county about 1844, and has since lived in the town. His wife is Maria Clum, by whom
he has had four children. Subject is a member of Dwight Post of Sodus G. A. R. Mr.
Loomis was a contractor and builder for fifteen years, and in Marion and Newark was
engaged in the meat business three years. He owns the old homestead of forty-two
acres.
Jordan, W. T., the oldest of twelve children, was born in Lyons November 26, 1852.
His father was a native of England, who came to the United States in 1848 and settled
in M'ayne county ; his trade was tailor, and after that he did a good business as butcher,
exchanging his village accumulations for a farm. He lived the later part of his life as
a farmer. His wife was Mary Jane, daughter of William Jones, a native of Wales, who
came to Wayne county in 1831. W. T. Jordan was educated in common schools. At
FAMILY SKETCHES. 2l«.)
the age of twenty-six married to Josephine, daughter of Benjamin Bishop, of South
Butler, by whom he has three children: William W., Jay B. and Maud. Me was a
farmer until 1892; he then purchased the property near the Lock Berlin Lock, known
as the Morgan Cookingham property, erected a large fruit evaporator and established
his present business of dealer in provisions, general merchandise, hay, grain and pota-
toes, and evaporating fruit. Our subject is one of the representative men of the town,
taking an active interest in school and the M. E. Church of Lock Berlin.
Briggs, John, was born in Cortland county, August 8, 1834, son of Jonathan and
Emaline (Baker) Briggs, he a native of Rhode Island, born October 3, 1811, and she of
Connecticut, born May 12, 1811, Their children are: John, Caroline, George, Birney,
Luman, Lyman, Elbert, and Sophia, human married Ellen Doremus, and Lyman mar-
ried Helen Doremus, twin brothers marrying twin sisters. The paternal grandfather of
subject was John Briggs, a native of Rhode Island, who in 1814 came to Cortland
county, where he died. His wife was Margaret Jones, a native of Rhode Island, who
died in Cortland. Father of subject came to Rose and settled on the farm owned by
our subject, where he died. He was one of the leading farmers of the town, and at his
death owned 150 acres.. He died July 18, 1881, and his wife August 1, 1891. Their
children were: Birney, a carpenter of Rochester. His wife is Anna Terry, and they
have three sons and two daughters; Caroline, wife of William Niles, of Rose Valley,
by whom she has two children ; Elbert, resides in the town of Lyons; and George, who
died aged twenty-five years. Subject was ten years old when he came to Rose, and
except twenty-three years in Huron, has always resided here. He now owns about 300
acres in the towns of Huron and Rose, and follows general farming. He was assessor
two terms in Huron, and is a member of the Huron Grange No. 124. He married in
1861 Sarah J. Otto, a native of Huron, born October 4, 1841, daughter of Samuel and
Eliza (Miller) Otto. Mr. Briggs and wife have three children : Eliza L., wife of Nathan
Turner, of Sodus, by whom she has three children: Benjamin B., Hazel A., and Bessie
0. ; M. Olive, wife of Thomas B. Welch, a hardware merchant of North Rose, and they
have one child, Harold J. ; and Jonathan F., at home.
Scott, William W., was born a slave in Sullivan county, Tenn., about 1842, and is
one of twelve children of Frank Scott, who died a slave. He was owned by four
different masters, and at one time was sold for $1,100. He did many heroic acts during
the war, and many a Union soldier he fed from his master's larder in 1863. He led a
large number of slaves in an escape to the Union lines. He was a soldier for eleven
months, captured and re-captured several times. In 1864 he came to Sheffield, Mass.,
and engaged as laborer in a marble quarry, being unusually intelligent was made second
foreman and timekeeper, and two years later engaged as charcoal burner in Mount
Washington. He was there told of a State farther North called York, where he decided
to go and wended his way north to Hudson. Later he went to Lyons, where he was
employed by Dr. Bottom, thence to Sodus, and in 1871 came to Huron, where he mar-
ried Nancy, daughter of Lewis Samson, a farmer in Huron, who was a slave in his
early days. His wife was Elizabeth Brigg, whom he married in 1842. Mrs. Scott was
born in the town of Galen. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have three children : Lewis, born
February, 1872 ; Finley, born in 1879, and Fred, born in 1886. Subject and wife are
members of the Royal Templars of Temperance of Huron. They own the farm of
fifty-six acres formerly owned by Mrs. Scott's father.
Wilson, Gorham J., born in Savannah, March 7, 1856, is the eldest son of George R,
and Mary (Gorham) Wilson, now residents of South Butler. After leaving school he
engaged in farming and teaching five years, and in January, 1881, established with
Yiele Mead a general store business at South Butler, the co-partnership now being
Wilson & Mitchell. December 29, 1881, he married Carrie A., daughter of Mrs. Harriett
Newton, of Savannah, and their children are: Florence E., born May 25, 1883; Hattie
A., born October 16, 1885; and Newton G., born March 5, 1891. Mr. Wilson is an
220 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
unassuming gentleman of genial manners, whom to know is to admire. From 1890 to
1893 inclusive he represented his town on the Board of Supervisors as an exponent of
Republican principles.
Hale, J. A., was born in Wolcott, N. Y., August 13, 1842, and was the son of 0. H.
and Lamira Hale, who reared a family of four sons and seven daughters. Our subject
is not only a builder by trade but the architect of his own destinies, and a citizen who
commands the respect of all who know him. For several years past he has been con-
nected with a Rochester milling company, building flouring mills. He is a staunch
Republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln for president. He was for
several years a member of the Board of Education of Leavenworth Institute, located in
Wolcott village, where all his children were educated. On March 2, 1865, he married
Esther M., daughter of Patrick and Emeline Casey, who is the mother of four children.
Fred. G. Hale was born in Wolcott, Ojtober 20, 1866, who after completing his educa-
tion learned the millwright's trade and traveled through the western States, building
flouring mills. In November, 1891, he went to Campeachey, Mexico, and built a large
mill for cutting Spanish cedar and mahogany. Returning to the United States in July,
1892, took up his residence in Jersey city, N. J., where he now has the supervision of a
flouring mill. Frank A. Hale was born September 3, 1867, who after completing his
education learned the tinner's trade. In 1891 he with a party of six young men went
to the State of Washington to find for themselves homes on the Pacific coast, but soon
made up their minds that Wayne county, N. Y., had a more healthful climate and re-
turned thither in 1892, and is now connected with the firm of Kelley <fe Son, hardware
merchants in Wolcott, N. Y. Ida B. Hale was born in Wolcott, June )8, 1870, and
died September 13, 1887. Nellie M. Hale was born October 17, 1876, and died June 4,
1886.
Garratt, Richard, was born in Westchester county May 1, 1824, son of Richard and
Annie (Hallack) Garratt, natives of Long Island, who came to Galen in 1838, and died
in Long Island. The paternal grandfather of subject was in the Revolutionary War, as
was also the maternal grandfather. The father of subject was in the war of 1812. Sub-
ject was reared on Long Island and educated in the common schools- He has always
been a farmer and has cleared the land he owns, and about 200 acres of other land in
the county. He owns twenty-eight acres. Mr. Garratt enlisted in 1862 in the 9th Ar-
tillery and served seven months. He married in 184"6 Frances L., daughter of Solomon
and Sarah R (Ryan) Smith, in Huron, by whom he has had two daughters : Sarah, wife
of Frank Jones, and has three sons and one daughter, who is now a widow and resides
in Rose ; and Mary E., wife of Michael Fisher, of Clyde. She died in 1887, leaving one
son and three daughters. The family is of English descent, and date their ancestry to
three brothers, who came to America during the Revolutionary War. The Hallacks are
of Welsh descent, and settled at Stony Brook, L. I.
Tinckelpaugh, William H., was born in Sodus, May 27, 1827, a son of Adam, a native
of Columbia county, who came in 1811 to Wayne county and located in Marion, being
at this time in early youth. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and on arriving at
manhood he bought a tract of land west of Sodus village and south of the " rtdge," the
whole of it being dense forest. Building a log cabin he began clearing up the land,
which he sold four years later. He was a man of push and enterprise, and became -a
prominent and prosperous farmer, taking an active part in political affairs. He was an
influential member of the Presbyterian church of Sodus, was colonel of the old Rifle
Regiment, and took great interest in military affairs. He married Harriet Ailing, of
Sodus, and their children were : Amanda, Charles, William H., Harriet J., Myron Oscar,
Manha, and Delia. Adam Tinckelpaugh died April 4, 1863. William H., with the ex-
ception of six years, which were spent in Williamson, has always lived in Sodus. From
1857 to 1877 he was in the mercantile trade at Joy, with which exception he has fol-
lowed farming. " He is a leading member of the Presbyterian church of Joy, a member
FAMILY SKETCHES. 221
of the Masonic Lodge at Sodus, and Zenobia Commandery No. 41 of Palmyra. He
married Sarah M. Nash, of Williamson, and they have had these children : Martha J.,
now Mrs. Samuel E. Allen, of Sodus ; Mettie D., now Mrs. Leslie M. Snyder, of Sodus ;
and Adella M., who died unmarried.
Trowbridge, Theodore B., was born in Susquehanna county, Pa,, December 23, 1837,
came to Wayne county in 1860, and settled in Sodus, southeast of Sodus Centre, where
he engaged in farming. He was commissioner of highways from 1876 to 1888, and was
under sheriff in 1892, and in 1893 under Sheriff Thornton. He is a member of Sodus
Lodge No. 392, F. & A. M., and is a charter member of Wallington Grange. He mar-
ried in 1862 Emily, daughter of Durfee Wilcox, of Sodus, and their children are Melvin
C. and Maud Emma (Mrs. William Sherman, of Allegan, Mich.) Durfee Wilcox was
born in Palmyra in 1809, and died in Sodus in 1893. He was a son of Captain William
Wilcox, who came from Rhode Island about 1790 and settled in Palmyra. He was cap-
tain of a cavalry company in the days of the old militia. He married Ruth Durfee and
they had twelve children. Durfee Wilcox, their son, came to Sodus in 1828, and set-
tled north of Alton. Later he settled on the large farm south of Sodus Centre, where
he resided until his death. He held numerous positions of trust and honor, among which
were supervisor two years during the war, assessor several years, and for twelve years
county superintendent of the poor. He married Samantha Wells, and they had five
children: Louisa M., who died at the age of seventeen ; John M. and Stephen D., who
are farmers in Sodus ; Emity J. (Mrs. Theodore B. Trowbridge, of Sodus) ; and William
J., of California.
Espenscheid, Nicholas, was born in Sodus, May 31, 1851, and is a son of Adam H.
Espenscheid, who, with his brothers Philip and Frederick, came from Germany in 1835.
Philip and Frederick settled in Williamsport, Pa., Adam H. settled in Sodus and was a
farmer. He married Barbara, daughter of John Espenscheid, of Sodus. He came from
Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1834, and settled in Sodus, purchasing a farm one-half
mile north of Alton, and was a prosperous farmer. He was a distiller in the old coun-
try, and carried on the business to some extent after coming to this country. His chil-
dren were John, Carl, Lawrence, Andrew, Nicholas, Philip, Louis, and Barbara. John
settled in Galen and was a farmer; he married Mary Eicb. Carl settled in Peoria, 111.,
where he died; he married Sally Rumage. Lawrence settled on the homestead and is
a farmer; he married Diantha Van Etten. Andrew settled at' Alton, is a harnessmaker
and married Catherine Roy. Nicholas settled in New York city, and is engaged in the
hatting business. Philip settled in California, where he died young. Barbara married
Adam H. Espenscheid, and their children were Nicholas and Frederick.
Jeffers, Henry, was born in Rose April 26, 1850, son of Robert N., a son of Nathan
Jeffers. Robert N. was born April 26, 1820, in Rose, was always a farmer and stock
dealer, owned 341 acres at his death and was one of the wealthiest men in Rose. He
married twice, first Maria Winchell, by whom he had four children : Henry and Hen-
rietta (twins). Lana and Robert, who died, aged four years. Mrs. Jeffers died in 1863,
and Mr. Jeffers married Sarah Holbrook, who resides \\n Rose Valley. Mr. Jeffers died
June 11, 1893. Subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, has
always followed farming, and except six years in Butler has lived in Rose, and owns
the old homestead of 160 acres. He married in 1876 Mary J. Haviland, a native of
Rose, by whom he has had two children : Robert, who died in infancy, and Burton H.,
born November 2, 1883.
Jeffers, George, was born in Lyons August 22, 1846, a son of Nathan and Sallie
Dunmore) Jeffers, he a native of Johnstown and she of Pleasant Valley, born in April,
1808. They came to Lyons in 1816 and finally came to Rose and settled on the farm
owned by our subject, where he died in 1853, and his wife resides in Rose Valley. Mr.
Jeffers was in the war of 1812. By a previous marriage to Eleanor Vandercook he had
222 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
ten children. Subject was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and has
always been engaged in farming, except one year in Pennsylvania in the oil regions.
He added to the old homestead forty acres, and now owns 100 acres and follows gen-
eral farming. Mr. Jeffers has been collector four terms, constable twelve terms and
deputy sheriff twelve years. He married in 1874 Eliza Mitchell, whose father was one
of the first settlers. Subject and wife have three children : Willard G., Frank W. and
May L.
Rogers, Erastus, was born March 14, 1815, and died December 5, 1881, in Sodus.
His father was Gabriel Rogers, born in 1776, who settled in South Sodus at an early
day, and married Hannah Clark; their children were: Bartlett, James, Jerry and Eras-
tus. The latter settled in South Sodus in early life and moved to Sodus Point in 1852,
where he held the office of collector through two administrations ; he moved to Sodus
in 1862, where he resided until his death. He was a leading man in the affairs of his
town, where he filled' many local offices, and was prominent in his business pursuits.
He married Cornelia A. Gardiner, of Sag Harbor, L. I., in 1855, and they had four
children : J. Franklin and Harry G., who settled in Aurora, 111., in 1892, engaged in
mercantile pursuits, Kate S. (Mrs. Carlton L. Gaylord), of Sodus, and Bertie, who died
in childhood.
Bates, Lewis (deceased), was born August 13, 1819, in Saratoga county, and was a
son of Daniel P. Bates, who settled near Sodus Center about 1826 and later near Sodus
Point. He married Jane Van Cott, and their children were: Esther, who married Ira
Powers and settled at Geneva, N. Y.; Ann, who married George Sergeant and settled
in Sodus; Almira, who married Francis Doville, of Sodus; John, who settled in Sodus
and is a wealthy farmer, and Lewis, who early in life was a sailor on the lakes, was a
captain and owner of various vessels, later engaging in the mercantile trade at Sodus
Point, which he carried on for ten or twelve years. About 1863 he purchased a farm
on the lake road, west of the Point, where he lived until his death in 1893. He took
an active part in political affairs, and was supervisor of Sodus several years. He mar-
ried in 1851 Martha A., daughter of Henry Finch, of Sodus, and their children were :
Danipl P., who is a farmer in Sodus, and married Jane Knapp ; Frances A., who is un-
married and resides on the homestead; Lawrence A., who lives in Pine Valley,
Chemung county, and married Kate Farrell; A. Bonaparte, who is a farmer in Sodus,
and married Mary Comstock ; Edward L., unmarried, who resides on the homestead ;
Anna M., who married Franklin A. Palmer, resides in Erie, Pa; David R., unmarried,
who resides on the homestead, and De Grape, unmarried, who resides on the home-
stead.
Fish, Harry S., son of Isaac and Polly Rice Fish, was born in Williamson, N. Y., No-
vember 24, 1811. Isaac Fish and wife came from Massachusetts and resided in Will-
iamson until their decease. Harry S. Fish was brought up on a farm and educated in
the common schools. He has always been engaged in farming, and is recognized as one
of the most successful farmers in his town. He was always fond of fine horses and
raised many. He has been highway commissioner of his town. He is a member of the
W. M. church, and is a Republican in politics. He married Polly Maria Russell, January
29, 1835, from which marriage he had five children: Isaac N., Daniel R., Julia M., Selby
S., and Carlton B. Mrs. Fish was a member of the W. M church, was born June 3, 1816,
and died December 2, 1845. Mr. Fish subsequently married Fanny Maria Stewart, Oc-
tober 15, 1846, who was a member of the W. M. church, and was born January 9, 1817,
and died January 13, 1893. From this marriage there were four children: Harriet A.,
Timothy S., William G, and Sarah L. Selby S.. Carlton B.. and Timothy S. Fish en-
listed in the United States service early in the Rebellion of 1861-65, and served until
honorably discharged therefrom. William Stewart, father of Fanny Maria Stewart Fish,
was a Scotchman by birth. Soon after his arrival in America war was declared against
England. Young Stewart entered the Continental army and served seven years in the
FAMILY SKETCHES. 323
war. Harriet A. is the only child who remains at home to care for her invalid father
and aid him in his business transactions.
Ellinwood, E. Chester, was born in Rose, July 6, 1838, son of Chester and Sophronia
(Allen) Ellinwood. The father was a native of Brookline, Vt, and she a native of Mas-
sachusetts. The paternal grandparents were Jonathan and Naomi (Weeks) EllinAvood,
and Ezra Allen and Lucy (Kellogg) Allen. The former were natives of Vermont, and
the latter of Massanhusetts. Chester Ellinwood was a soldier of the war of 1812. He
and his wife, Sophronia, were married in 1816, and settled upon a large farm one mile
east of Rose Valley, and here they reared a family of six children : Ensign W., Charlotte
M., Lucy, Lemira, Mary A., Charles J., and E. Chester. He was a successful and well-
to-do farmer of his time, and lived to be eighty- five years old. E. Chester, the young-
est of the family, and the subject of this sketch, received a liberal education at the Rose
Valley School, the Clyde High School, and Fort Plain Seminary. He studied law in the
office of Judge Norton at Newark, and here he sought and won the heart and hand of
Mary E., who was the accomplished daughter of Clark and Irene Phillips, of Arcadia.
They were married September 3, 1867. Among the important results of this union five
children were added : Irene P. (who died at the age of fourteen years), Mary, Louise,
John C, Chester, and Robert E. Louisa is now a teacher in the Clyde High School,
John a teacher in his home district, and Chester and Robert are among his pupils. Mr.
Ellinwood owns and resides upon a large farm situated midway between Rose and Wol-
cott, and a very pleasant home it is with its surroundings and attractions. He enjoys
the charms around his fireside of a devoted wife and happy children. In politics he is a
Democrat, attends with his family the Baptist church, and is a member of the Wolcott
Grange. He has been supervisor of his town two terms.
Graham, Archibald M., was born in the town of Rose, December 15, 1856, son of
Henry Graham, a prominent man in his town. He was a farmer and blacksmith, buy-
ing a tract of land a mile square of the original purchasers of the tract. He died in 1878
aged seventy-seven years. Our subject was educated in the common schools, Clyde
High School, and Red Creek Seminary, and took a business course at Bryant &Stratton
College at Syracuse, after which he entered the employ of Gurney, Streeter & Co. In
1877 he established a drug store with J. H. Childs, which he sold out in 1879. and then
engaged in the boot and shoe business. In 1888 he purchased the W. H. & C. F. Groes-
beck's warehouse and flouring plant, making a specialty of fine grades of flour, having
an output of 150 barrels per day. At the age of twenty-one he married Rose E. Case,
daughter of Harvey Case, by whom he has one daughter, Louise R. Our subject is one
of the conservative men of the town, filling the office of trustee, also trustee of the
school for eight years, president of the village in 1893, and is identified in advancing the
best interests of the day.
Redman, Abraham, was born in Camillus in 1822, and is a son of Isaac and grandson
of Abraham. Isaac Redman came to Wayne county about 1834, and settled in the east
part of the town of Sodus, south of the ridge, and took up eighty acres, where he spent
the remainder of his life. He married Rebecca Pitts, and their children were : Abram,
Betsey, Michael, Mary, and Sarah J. Abram settled in Sodus. He is a carpenter by
trade, and during the earlier years of his life followed that business. He afterward set-
tled on the Ridge road, near the west line of the town, and is engaged in farming. He
married Sarah E. White, and their children are: Virginia Amelia (deceased), who mar-
ried Charles Kelly ; Alice, who died unmarried ; Harvey, who married Frances Miller
and resides in Williamson ; and Warner D., is a farmer on the homestead. He married
Lillian B. Whaling, of Sodus.
Greene, Samuel B., was born in Albany county, February 9, 1827, and died in Sodus
in October, 1887. His father, Joseph, came to Wayne county in 1837, and settled near
Joy in the town of Sodus. He took an active part in political affairs, and was highway
224 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
commissioner and assessor. He was a prominent member of the Christian church of
Marion. He married Abigail Baker, and their children were : Samuel B., Jeremiah,
Benjamin B., and Joseph A. Joseph Greene, sr., died in 1875; Jeremiah settled in
Clyde, where he died in 1888. For many years he carried on a drug business there;
Benjamin B. settled in Newark and is a carpenter and builder ; Joseph A. settled in
Indiana, where he died. He was for many years engaged in the hardware trade there;
Samuel B. settled on a farm south of Joy, where he spent his life. He was highway
commissioner and assessor for several years, also collector. He was a liberal supportor
of the Presbyterian church of Joy, and for many years was superintendent of the Sab-
bath school. He married in 1852 Harriet J., daughter of Adam Tinkelpaugh, of Sodus,
and their children were: Louise A. (Mrs. Lynn D. Wake, of Sodus) ; Harriet A. (Mrs.
Franklin L. Butts, of Sodus) ; and Martha M. (deceased).
Knapp, Walter, the' pioneer of the family in Wayne county, came from Columbia
county in 1833, and settled two miles south south of Sodus village. Soon after he pur-
chased what is now the Stickney farm, a mile south of the village, where he spent the
remainder of his life. He was a prominent member of the Sodus Presbyterian church,
and for many years one of its deacons. He married Annis Richmond, and they had five
children: Simeon, who settled in New York city and engaged in mercantile pursuits;
George, who settled in Allegan, Mich. ; Phineas, who engaged in railroading, and died
in New Orleans; Helen (Mrs. E. A. Greene); and James P., who settled in Sodus on
the Flarel Kingsley farm. He is a leading member of the Sodus Presbyterian church,
and for many years was trustee and elder. The latter office he still holds. He married
Nancy, daughter of Flarel Kingsley, of Sodus, and they had two sons : George, who
died in 1874, and Charles K., of Sodus village.
Kelley, William H., was born in Arcadia, June 12, 1856, educated in the district
school and the academy, and spent his boyhood on his father's farm until the age of
thirteen. In 1884 he began business as a druggist and stationer, which he has followed
successfully ever since. August 30, 1874, he married Ella R. Van Auken, of this town,
and they have had three children : C. Fred, Gertrude E., and Alice M. ; the son is a
student in the Wesleyan College at Bloomington, 111., and the daughters students at the
academy. Mr. Kelley's father, Ebenezer, was born in Kinderhook, Columbia county,
and removed here with his parents in 1830. He married Anna M. Phillips, of Arcadia,
and they had 'nine children : Clarence M., John P., William II., Ellen L., H. Madge,
Charles E., Frank A., James E., and a son, Henry, who died young. Both parents are
now living (1894). Mrs. Kelley's father, Martin C. Van Auken, was born in Westfali,
Pa., November 18, 1832, and came here with his parents in 1833. Mr. Kelley is a
member of the Masonic and Maccabee Orders, also Newark Grange, has served as town
clerk two years, is a member of the Village Board, and is president of the Board of
Education.
Delano, Edward Chandler, was born in Sodus Centre, N. Y., November 30, 1854, and
traces his ancestry back to Jean and Marie (Mahien) Delano, natives of France, whose
son, Philip, came to Plymouth witli the second detachment of Pilgrims in "ye good
ship Fortune" in 1621. The oldest son of Philip, the Pilgrim, was Dr. Thomas Delano,
who married Mary, daughter of John and Priscilla (Molines) Alden, from which this
branch of the family is descended. William, the pioneer in Wayne county, was a son
of Amaziah, a Revolutionary soldier, who was a great-great-grandson of Dr. Thomas
above. William came to this locality in 1811 from North Yarmouth, Me., where the
family had settled two generations previously. He took up a farm near the present
village of Sodus Centre, and carried on farming and blacksmithing. His wife was
Hannah Hayden. who with her brothers came from Maine in 1812. The children of
William and Hannah were : William II. H, Lucy E. A., Elbridge G., Elvina A.,
Gardiner W., and Rufus Chandler, who all lived to maturity. Rufus C. has always
resided in the town of Sodus ; he married Almeda Matilda, daughter of Edward and
FAMILY SKETCHES. 225
Mary Ann (Jacobs) Taylor, March 4, 1847, by whom he had one child, Edward C. as
above. The latter was educated in the public schools and at Sodus Academy, and from
1874 to 1881 was engaged in teaching, being principal of the Sodus Centre Graded
School. In the fall of 1881 he was elected school commissioner of Wayne county, which
office he filled for six consecutive years, and was then appointed chief examiner in the
State Department of Public Instruction, holding the office for five years, or until his
resignation in 1893. Here he organized and perfected the present State system of
uniform examinations for teachers' certificates. He was also the pioneer in the move-
ment for establishing Arbor Day in the State of New York, and many other salutary
school laws have been enacted largely through his efforts. In 1878, '79 and '80 he was
president of the Wayne County Teachers' Association, and in 1885 and '86 he was pres-
ident of the New York State Association of School Commissioners and Superindendents.
He is an attendant at the Presbyterian church in Sodus Centre, of which he is a trustee.
January 25, 1888, he married Emma Jane, onlv daughter of Albert G-. and Eliza
(Smith) Graham, of Clyde, N. Y.
Robinson, Hon. Rowland, one of the prominent citizens of Sodus, was born in Cam-
bridge, Washington county. November 7, 1820, his ancestors being Rhode Island
Quakers. In 1865 he came and settled in the town of Sodus, buying a farm south of
the village, and at once began to identify himself with the best interests of the town.
He was supervisor of Sodus from 1877 to 1880, when he was elected to the Assembly
of 1881. He held for several years the appointment of town commissioner of the Sodus
Point and Southern Railroad, and was director for a time of the Lake Ontario Shore"
Railroad ; is president of the Wayne County Fire Relief Association, having insurance
on farm property amounting to about $3,200,000, with an average increase of $200,-
000 per year.
Redgrave, Samuel C, leading hardware dealer of Lyons, was born in Baltimore, Md.,
April 17, 1836, is a son of John Redgrave, who died in 1840. Samuel was taught in
the schools of Wayne, whither his mother came after her husband's death, to be near
her brother, William N. Cole, the editor of one of the local papers. He worked on a
farm in early life, and then served as clerk in the hardware store of William H. Hulelt,
of Lyons. He next worked a year in Palmyra, and on April 1, 1855, returned to
■ Lyons in the employ of P. P. Bradish, who then carried on hardware trade. Mr.
Bradish sold out a year later to R. H. Murdock, for whom Mr. Redgrave worked until
1860. After a short time spent in Baltimore he came back to Lyons and began work
in the hardware store of Aaron Remsen. In 1862 he enlisted in the 9th N. Y. Heavy
Artillery, and was discharged for disability in 1864, returning to his former position.
In 1865 he married his employer's daughter, Melvena Remsen. The firm of Remsen &
Redgrave was formed January 1, 1866. Mr. Remsen died in February, 1886, Mr. Red-
grave has since carried on the business alone. Mr. Remsen was for many years one of
the most respected citizens of the town, and Mr. Redgrave enjoys the confidence and
esteem of his fellow citizens. He is father of three daughters.
Cheetham, William J., was born in London, England, in 1842, and is a son of John
Cheetham, who came from England in 1853 and settled in the northwest part of Sodus
on the lake shore, where he engaged in farming. He married Mary Welburn, and their
children are : William J., Richard M., George F., Anna R., Emily M., and Caroline M.
Richard M. and George F. reside in Williamson, and are engaged in the hardware and
banking business ; Anna R. is unmarried ; Emily M. married William Horn ; Caroline
M. married Christopher Ewer. William J. Cheetham settted at Joy, carries on a saw
mill, and is also engaged in farming. He has been a member of the Board of Assessors
of the town, is a member and warden of St. John's Episcopal church of Sodus. In 1863
he enlisted in the 97th N. Y. Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He held the
rank of corporal and acting sergeant. He is a member of Dwight Post. G. A. R., of
226 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Sodus, has been commander one year, chaplain two years, and quartermaster several
years. He has also been a delegate to the State Encampment. He married first Sarah
E., daughter of Eev. Edmund Burke, and their children were : John H., Charles W.,
Francis E. (deceased), Frederick G., and Maria Isabel!. His second wife was Mary L.,
daughter of Philip Miihl, of Sodus, and they have one son, Richard M. Cheetham.
Younglove, R. W., a resident for fifty years north of Wolcott, was born in Mas-
sachusetts May 15, 1824. He is a man of much force of character and moral worth,
with all the sterling qualities that cling to the pioneer who has achieved success. De-
cember 30, 1847, he married Sarah, daughter of John Washburn, of Victory, Cayuga
county, N. Y. They have four children : Willis, Frances, Mary and Nettie. Frances is
the wife of Daniel Robertson, and Mary of Arthur Easton.
York, Benjamin S., was born in Huron, November 13, 1825, on the farm he now
owns. He was the son of Benjamin York, born in Maine in 1785, who came to
Huron in 1812, and was a staunch Whig. His wife was Martha Churchill, and their
children were John, Irena, Lovilla, Lavina, Benjamin, and Emeline. Our subject re-
mained with his father until the latter died, and in 1850 married Minerva, daughter
of John and Eliza De Witt Miller, of Schuyler county, and their children are : Imo-
gene, wife of Robert J. Kelly, of Huron ; Eliza, widow of William Mitchell, of Rose ;
Josephine and Christina. As his children have left home he has placed them each
on a good farm.
Zimmerlin Bros. — This firm is composed of H. F. and C. G. Zimmerlin, sons of F. C.
Zimmerlin, and who are one of the leading firms in hardware and agricultural imple-
ments in Lyons. The business was established in 1885 in the same location now occu-
pied by them. The brothers are recognized in this town as business men of ability and
strict integrity, and have met with success from the inception of the business up to the
present time. H. F. Zimmerlin married Sarah L. Warner, and they have three children :
Grace, Mez, and May. C. G. Zimmerlin married Mary L., daughter of Nelson R. Mirick,
of Lyons, and while both brothers have had an active business life they have found
time to take an intelligent interest in the leading events of the day, in educational and
religious matters, and are identified in advancing the best interests of their town.
Wood, Noah, was born April 23, 1832, the son of Horatio Wood, a farmer of Butler,
who was also a man of local prominence, being a justice for twenty years, and who died
in 1860. His wife, Angeline, the mother of seven children, died in 1886. Noah's edu-
cation at Levina, N. Y., was of a theological tendency, but his principal occupation has
been farming, and he now owns and operates a dairy farm in the suburbs of Wolcott.
September 10, 1861, he married Hattie, daughter of John Hall, of Cicero, N. Y., and
both are prominent in the M. E. church of Wolcott. Mr. Wood is a man of much char-
acter, and has filled many positions of trust and responsibility, such as the president of
the village, trustee of the Leavenworth Institute, and justice of the peace, holding the
latter position twelve years.
Whitcomb, Flynn, was born in Washington county, December 20, 1833, one of seven
children of Selinda and Samuel (Smith) Whitcomb, of Washington and Chautauqua coun-
ties, respectively. They came to Walworth when our subject was an infant, and thence
to Ontario in 1838, where they lived and died. He and wife were members of the M. E.
church, of which he was a local preacher. Flynn was reared on the farm, educated in
the common schools, and is a carpenter by trade, though he has followed farming most
of his life, having a farm of eighty-seven acres. He also gives some attention to fruit
raising. In 1892 he was elected to represent the western district of Wayne county in
the Assembly. Mr. Whitcomb married in 1854 Mary A. Clark, a native of Williamson,
and a daughter of John and Elizabeth Clark, who were born in England, and came to
America, locating in Williamson first, then in Ontario, where they spent their last days.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 227
Woodhams, Owen, was born in Sussex, England, December 22, 1833. He is the
third child of a family of eleven children of James and Edith (Wren) Woodhams,
natives of England, and in 1850 came to Greece, where the father died in 1890, and the
mother now resides there at the age at eighty-six. Subject of this sketch was reared
on a farm, and in 1855 enlisted in Company A, 96th N. Y. Yol. Inf., and served until
the close of war. He owns a farm of eighty-seven acres and follows general farming.
Mr. Woodhams married in 1825 Ann Woodhams, a native of England and daughter of
Henry and Martha (Jenner) Woodhams, who came to America when Mrs. Woodhams
was a mere child. Henry Woodhams died in April, 1891, in Ontario, and his wife now
lives in the town at eighty years of age. Subject and wife have had ten children, of
whom five are now living : Albert E., Nettie, Elizabeth, William, and Thomas. The
family are members of, the Wesleyan Methodist church.
Waldorf, Reuben, was born in Columbia county, N. Y., in 1840. His father, Peter
Waldorf, now eighty-two years of age, is a resident of Clyde. His mother, Hannah,
died in 1884, leaving a family of ten children, of whom our subject is the sole represent-
ative in Wolcott. Until 1870 he remained at Clyde with his parents, purchasing at that
time the farm where he has since resided. February 16, 1869, he married Lottie,
daughter of Henry Sheldon, and of their four children two are now living, Henry, born
March 11, 1872, and Frank, born February 11, 1877. Lena, born June 26, 1873, died in
infancy, and May, born November 4, 1873, died when ten years old. The eldest son,
Harry, is a graduate of the 0. C. Seminary at Cazenovia, N. Y., and now occupies a
position as teacher at Leavenworth Institute, Wolcott, N. Y.
Wise, A. M., was born near Clyde, March 4, 1830, the eldest son of Amanzo and
Betsey Wise, who were among the earliest settlers in Galen. His wife is Julia, daughter
of David Waldruff, a prominent farmer and builder of Clyde. They were married De-
cember 19, 1854, and have four children : T. Jefferson, Alice, Frank, and Belle. In 1862
Mr. Wise purchased the blast furnace near Wolcott and operated it for eight years, after
which as senior member of Wise & Waldruff four years were spent in the manufacture
of lumber. With his eldest son, Jefferson, he is now engaged in farming and the
choicest portion of the 220 acres is devoted to the culture of grapes, berries and smaller
fruits. Jefferson married Susan Wadsworth, of Wolcott, who died August 8, 1889,
leaving no children.
Wilson, Emily J., the leading milliner of Wolcott, has been in business here for thirty
years, and for the latter half of that time at the present location, where by unremitting
personal attention accompanied with unusual sagacity, she has built up a large trade
in fashionable millinery and those accessories so dear to the feminine heart.
Waldorf. Jefferson, was born in the town of Galen, May 15, 1839. His parents,
David T. and Polly A. (Miller) Waldorf, reared a family of five sons and five daughters,
of whom but two sons and two daughters are now living. David Waldorf was engaged
in the custom milling business at Penn Yan, N. Y., and for some years a dealer in grain
and produce at Clyde, a prominent Democrat and a deputy sheriff. He died in 1888
when eighty-one years of age. Subject's wife was Mary A. Dillow, of Clinton, Oneida
county, whom he married February 22, 1865, and they have two children, Gisella, born
May 5, 1871, now a teacher in Leavenworth Institute at Wolcott, where she was grad-
uated in 1892 ; and Guy, born May 6, 1877. Mr. Waldorf has filled many positions of
trust and honor, and is very highly esteemed by all who know him.
Whitbourn, Joseph, was born in Ontario, October 19, 1862, the fifth child of seven
children born to Richard and Catharine (Guy) Whitbourn, natives of England, and came
to Canada about 1839, in 1860 to Ontario, and here lived and died. Mr. Whitbourn
was a carpenter by trade, but also followed farming and owned sixty- three acres of
land. He was killed by falling from a barn, and his wife resides with subject of sketch.
328 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
Joseph was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, has always been a
farmer, and now has charge of the old homestead. He is a Democrat, and is a member
of the K. 0. T. M. Cyrene Tent No. 203. He married, June 3, 1891, Mary A. Hennessey,
a native of Walworth and daughter of Thomas and Catharine Hennessey, who were
early settlers of Walworth, where he died in 1892. Mr. Whitbourn and wife have had
one child, Elizabeth, born October 6, 1893.
Waldo Horace, was born in Oneida county November 20, 1832, the fifth of a family
of six children born to Thomas and Esther (Beckwith) Waldo, natives of Oneida county,
and the grandparents on both sides were among the first settlers. The father of Thomas
Waldo was a captain in the French and Indian war. The father of Esther Beckwith
was Lemuel Beckwith, who with three brothers came to Oneida in a very early day.
Mr. Waldo died in June, 1836, and his wife September 6, 1880, aged eighty-three years.
Horace was educated in the Western University, followed farming; until he came to
Ontario in 1871, and was foreman in the Wayne County Mining Company eleven years,
since which time he has been farming, owns thirty acres of land, also property in Web-
ster. Mr. Waldo has always been a Democrat, and has been justice of the peace five
years, and has been excise commissioner three terms. Mr. Waldo married in 187G
Sallie H., widow of Richard Richmond, and daughter of Horace Hill. Horace Hill was
born in Macedon in 1799, and was a farmer and miller, and he and Ira Hill built the
Hill grist mill, now owned by Mr. Durfee. He was twice married, first Sallie Beach,
and had four children. His second wife was Clarissa Kingman, whom he married June
14, 1825, by whom he had three children, two daughters are living. Mr. Hill was a
Whig and Republican, and was highway commissioner and assessor. He settled in
Ontario in 1827, coming from Macedon. He first settled on the Hodge farm and then
on the Whitney farm. He came on the farm where Mr. Waldo now resides in 1854,
and died here March 10, 1883, and his wife died August 25, 1873, aged seventy-one
years. Mr. Waldo and wife are members of the Baptist Church, of which Mr. Waldo
has been deacon nine years. He had two children by his first wife, Louisa and Marie
Robinson. The only child by the second wife now living is Susan A. Mason of Albion.
Wager, D. M., son of the late Alfred and Gertrude E. Wager, was born at Amster-
dam September 1, 1847. At that time Alfred Wager was a grocer at Amsterdam, but
in 1653 purchased a farm in Galen. His success in life, which was marked, was with-
out doubt largely due to his unsullied personal integrity, and to th6 honest and straight-
forward character of his business methods ; qualities almost widely ascribed also to the
subject of the sketch. His death occurred September 8, 1893, at the age of seventy-
eight, and that of Gertrude his wife, a few months preceding. D. M. Wager married
March 4, 1872, Ella, daughter of William Sheldon, of Huron, widely known as an
inventor of several patent mechanical appliances for farm use. Widely known and
esteemed throughout eastern Wayne, his name a synonym for good fellowship and
unassuming integrity, such is D. M. Wager, of Wolcott.
Wilkinson, Joseph, of Macedon, was born in this town on the farm he now owns
August 13, 1833, a son of Joseph, a native of Dutchess county, who came to Wayne
county in 1830. In early life the latter was captain of a sloop, then became a general
merchant in Steuben county for ten years. Returning to this county he followed
farming until his death in 1857, aged seventy-three, fie married Mary, daughter of
William Smith, of Dutchess county, and they had twelve children, five now living.
Joseph has followed farming, and keeps a dairy of twenty head of cattle, selling milk
in the city of Rochester, and is also a stockholder in the Producer's Milk Company of
Rochester. His farm comprises 150 acres, mostly under cultivation. In 1855 he mar-
ried Elizabeth, daughter of William Lapham, and a descendant of the old pioneer family
so well known throughout this part of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson have had
these childien: Gilbert R., William L., John C. and Minnie E. Mr. Wilkinson and
family aremembeis of the M. E. Church. He was assessor two years, and is a Granger.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 229
White, John T., a native of Schenectady county, was born May 2, 1810, the oldest of
fourteen children of Ichabod and Sarah (Tallman) White, natives of Dutchess county.
The paternal grandfather of subject was Ichabod White, a son of Ichabod, who died in
Duanesburgh, where the grandfather of subject also died. Father of subject died in
Schoharie county in 1856, and his wife in 1873. Subject started in life by farming,
and in 1851 came on the farm he owns of 113 acres, where he has since resided. He
was assessor fifteen years. He married December 29, 1861, Sallie B. Wilber, a native
of Schoharie county, by whom he has had seven children : Ruth, wife of Henry C.
King; William B., who married Mary Richmond ; John J., who married Augusta Wy-
man ; Artemus T., of Macedon, who married Abbie Smith; Mary S., wife of George
Gilbert, of South Dakota ; Edna, wife of Jerome Parker, of Walworth, and Elias R.,
who died in infancy. Mrs. White died July 27, 1894.
Williams, M. E., was born in Penfield, Monroe county, August 14, 1846, the oldest
son of eight children of Thomas and Sarah Heath, he a native of England and she of
Penfield. In 1828 he came to Penfield and in 1851 to West Walworth, where he has
since resided. Mrs. Williams died in November, 1893. Subject was reared a black-
smith, and learned the trade with his father. He has lived in West Walworth forty-
three years, and in 1890 bought a farm of sixty-five acres and follows general farming
and blacksmithing. He married in 1869 Frank, daughter of Avery Maine, and their
children are : Millie, Irvin and Cora. Millie is the wife of Albert Echler, by whom she
has two children, Ella and Albert. Mr. Williams was overseer of the poor three years.
Ward, Reuben, born at Wolcott, August 2, 1835, is the son of the late Joseph Ward,
a pioneer settler, who died in 1882 at the age of seventy-seven. Reuben spent nine
years of his earlier manhood farming in Michigan, and has since then been engaged in
the same business near North Wolcott. His first wife, by whom he had two children,
Benjamin and Emma, both now deceased, was Frances Burr, of Wolcott, who died in
1877. The second wife, who had no children, was Maria Raynor, who died January
23, 1884. The present mistress of his pleasant home, which commands a fine view of
Lake Ontario, and to whom he was united March 11, 1885, was Mrs. N Viele, a sister
of J. E. Dow, and they have one son, Reuben S., born December 29, 1885.
Wilson, George R., was born at Elbridge, Onondaga county, January 6, 1836. His
father, Riley Wilson, a builder and millwright, died in 1854 at the age of seventy, and his
mother, Belinda, died during his infancy. Mr. WiLon's residence in Wayne county
dates from 1844. Until 1881 his home was in Savannah, and since that time in South
Butler. His wife was Mary Gotham, of Elbridge, and their children are: Gorham J.,
Riley A., Addie A., and George W. Riley is a superintendent for the Wagner Car
Company, and George is an expert mechanic in the employ of the Hibbard Basket
Works. Addie was the wife of James L. Cox, and died in 1890.
Wells, Edward B., is an enterprising young man, born in Huron, June 25, 1861, son
of Samuel S. Wells, a native of Rose, whose father was Rufus Wells, a shoemaker by
trade. Subject's father was a farmer, and served as superintendent of schools several
terms. His wife was Flavia Wells, and their children were: Helen, William H,
Irving S., Preston S., Edward B., Cornelia L., wife of Bracket K. Reed, of Colorado.
Subject was educated in Leavenworth Institute in Wolcott, and has always given his
attention to farming. He is now conducting his father's farm, consisting of 118 acres,
making a specialty of tobacco and fruit. He served as inspector of elections two
terms.
Wamesfelder, Daniel, born in Williamson, February 21, 1861, is the sixth of sixteen
children of Philip and Dinah (Enesse) Wamesfelder, natives of Holland, born in 1822
and 1825 respectively. They came to America about 1847, bringing one son, Isaac, who
was born in Holland in 1846. He has always followed the mason trade and farming.
230 LANDMARKS OP WAYNE COUNTY.
He now has a farm in the town of Williamson, which is carried on by his son Daniel.
His father was Jacob Wamesfelder, who lived and died in Holland. He was the father
of fifteen children, of whom five came to America. Jacob was a farmer and garden
seed grower. Daniel has always followed farming. In 1885 he married Libbie, daughter
of Fred and Sarah Mentz, natives of Germany. Our subject and wife have had three
sons: Philip, Fred and Frank. They attend and support the M. B. church.
Watson, Harvey O, was born on the old homestead, November 4, 1860. His father,
Levi, was also born on the Watson homestead, February 28, 1835. The grandfather,
Stephen G., was a native of Bucks county. Pa. The family were of English and Dutch
extraction, came to the town of Galen and purchased a farm in 1824, and which is still
in the family. Levi Watson married at the age of twenty-two Mary, daughter of
Daniel Chase, and they have two children : our subject and Sarah Watson. He was a
prominent farmer, and died in 1890, aged fifty years, leaving a wife and children to take
up his many plans and carry them to completion. Harvey C. married at twenty-five
years of age Julia E., daughter of Henry Backman, and they have three children :
Raymond, Ella and Ruth. The family is one of the oldest in the county, and for the
past seventy-five years have been identified in advancing its best interests.
Weed, Benjamin, was born in the town of Galen, August 23, 1828. His father,
Selleck, was a native of New Canaan, Conn. He came to Galen in 1811, and purchased
one hundred acres of land. He died in 1853, aged sixty-six years. Benjamin was
educated at the Clyde High School and the Lyons Union School after which he taught
school seven winters, working on his father's farm during the summer. At the age of
twenty-five years he married Sarah, daughter of Joseph Watson, and they have four
children : Mrs. Elizabeth Hunt, Mrs. Alice Wendell, and Lucy C, and Mabel E. In
1854 subject purchased pait of his father's farm of eighty acres, on which he has erected
new buildings and the handsome residence. In 1863 he bought part of the Stephen
Waterbury property, and in 1870 bought another portion of the same property, having
164 acres, and raising fruit hay, grain and stock. Our subject is identified in educational
and religious matters.
Welch, P. J., was born in Clyde May 18, 1861. His father, Patrick, came to the
United States from Ireland and settled in Clyde. P. J. Welch was educated in Clyde,
after leaving school entered the employ of Charles A. Howe, remaining fourteen years.
In 1884 he established his present business in the center of Maine street, and is now
carrying one of the finest and best selected stocks of mercantile tailoring, gents' fur-
nishing goods, hats, caps and ready-made clothing in Wayne county. At the age of
twenty-seven he married Mary L. Moriarity, and they are the parents of one daughter,
Irene. Subject is collector and treasurer of Clyde No. 132 Catholic Benevolent Legion.
Williamson Brothers. — This firm began the manufacture of cigars at Palmyra in 1870,
at first with but two or three workmen, but now employing a force of eighteen or
more, having an exclusively wholesale trade in cigars of their own manufacture, and
also in cut goods in tobacco. Their special brands are ■' J. K. W." and " Fine Stock."
Their factory was built in 1887, a three-story frame structure, twenty by fifty feet, the
top story being added in 1892. Both the brothers are natives of Palmyra, their father,
John, a native of New Jersey, having located here in an early day, and died in 1892.
His wife was Marcia Haver, who died in this town. John K. Williamson was born in
1850, educated at the Hudson River Institute, and graduated in the commercial course
in 1866. He married in 1874 a daughter of David P. Sanford, one of Palmyra's oldest
dry goods merchants. W. W. Williamson served three years in the 111th N. Y. Regi-
ment during the late war. He has served as collector of the town one year, assessor
three years, trustee four years, and president of the village in 1891. In 1871 he mar-
ried Margaret Young, a native of Buffalo, by whom he has had three sons and three
daughters, of whom two sons and one daughter survive.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 231
Whitney, 0. F, born in Ontario July 19, 1823, the only child of Cornelius and Mil-
licent (Gould) Whitney, the former a native of Connecticut, born April 30, 1790, and
the latter of Granville, Washington county, born April 25, 1790. They came to On-
tario from Aurelius, Cayuga county, where they had lived two years, in 1816. He was
a farmer and wa« school commissioner in Ontario. He died September 29, 1875, and
his wife August 21, 1872. 0. F. was reared on a farm, educated in the common school
and Walworth select schools, also Ontario select schools. He has always been a farmer
and located on the farm he now owns April 14, 1837. He has ninety-three acres of
land, and follows general farming and sheep raising. Mr. Whitney was a Republican
until 1882, since which time he has been a Prohibitionist. He and family are members
of the Presbyterian Church. He married September 30, 1846, Laura, daughter of Dr.
Loami Whitcomb, a native of Washington county and an early settler of Ontario, where
he lived and died. Mrs. Whitney died February 7, 1882, and Mr. Whitney married
February 24, 1885, the widow of Dr. E. J. Whitcomb and daughter of Cyrus Thatcher
of Ontario. She had one daughter by her first husband, who is now Mrs. O. F. Nash,
of Williamson, N. Y. The father of Cyrus Thatcher was Peter, a native of Rhode
Island, who came to Ontario in 1809, and died in 1846. The wife of Cyrus was Mercy
Gage. Cyrus Thatcher died in Ontario in 1890, where his wife now resides.
Wells, Albert, born at Boyleston August 1, 1854. His father, John, established the
business in Wolcott. Albert took charge of the market, now located on Maine street,
in 1875, and since the death of his father in 1891, has also operated a farm of 175 acres
in Butler, which forms a valuable adjuncts to his retail business in meats, etc. He mar-
ried in 1884 Emma, daughter of Peter Waldorf, of Wolcott, by whom he has four chil-
dren : Lillian, Wilber. Mary and Laura.
Wright, Warren H., was born May 24, 1828, at Vernon, Oneida county. His parents
Thomas and Sally (Mills) Wright, came there in 1815, the earliest settlers in this im-
mediate locality, reclaiming from the virgin forest one-third of the one hundred and
fifty acres now comprised in the homestead. January 1, 1860, Warren married Eliza
daughter of Ezra and Electa K. Stone of Cato, Cayuga county. They have two chil-
dren : Elizabeth, born July 4, 1861, the wife of John Waldron, of Sterling, and the
mother of three children : Bertha, Elmer and Bessie Waldron ; and Burton born
February 11, 1867. Mrs. Burton Wright was Bessie Acker, of Fairhaven, and their
daughter is named Estelle.
Westcott, John H., son of John Forbes and Abigail Easton Westcott.. J. F. West-
cott moved into Butler from Vermont in 1828, and was until his death, which
occurred January 1, 1894, a prime mover in the various business interests of the locality.
At Butler Centre and at South Butler he had for a long period of time a blacksmith
shop, besides operating cooper shops with an annual capacity of 15,000 barrels. John
Westcott went from his desk as a school boy at South Butler into the thick of the Civil
War in 1864 with the 98th N. Y. S. Vols., but found himself physically unable to with-
stand the privations of a soldier's life, and was honorably discharged February 18
1865. He married Charlotte, daughter of Harlow Demmon, of Huron, by whom he
had five children : Charles L, Eugene, a traveling salesman with business headquarters
at Auburn; Demmon, in partnership with Eugene; and Howard. September 12, 1893,
Mr. Westcott was bereft of his faithful wife, and before half a year had elapsed, of his
only daughter, Emma.
Wilson, John, a native of Ireland, where he was born in 1830, emigrated to America
at thirteen years of age. His father, the late Hugh Wilson, was a mason by trade.
John Wilson is a farmer, residing in the southern part of Wolcott, near the point where
the four towns of Wolcott, Huron, Rose, and Butler meet. He is a member of the
Order of Patrons of Husbandry.
232 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Wetherel, Darius, became a resident of Wayne county nearly sixty years ago, remov-
ing from Richmand, Ontario county, where he was born September 11, 1816. Of a
retiring disposition his whole life since 1840 has been spent upon the farm, now his
home, and where his wife, Jeannette died in 1890 at the age of seventy-eight years.
Of the four children born they all died in infancy but one daughter, Narcissa W. Burnett,
who is again an inmate of her father's home, the prop of his declining years.
Wiggins, William H., of Red Creek, is a veteran of the late war, having served three
years in the famous 9th Heavy Artillery, enlisting in 1802. He was born in Wolcott in
1840, son of the late Richard Wiggins, a physician, of whose five children William is
sole representative. In 1808 he married Aurilla Garnor, of Wolcott, and they have two
children, Mary C, born May 18, 1870, now engaged in school teaching, and George,
born August 28, 1873. Mr. Wiggins is now engaged in farming on the farm where he
located in 1870.
Watson, Garhardus L., was born in the town of Galen, March 3, 1831. His father,
Joseph C, was a native of Bucks county and came to Galen in 1824. He died in 1872,
aged seventy years. G. L. Watson was educated in the common schools, to which he
has added through life by reading and close observation. He returned to his father's
farm, teaching several winters and working on the farm during the summer. At the age
of twenty-four he married Ellen, daughter of Robert Catchpole, by whom he has two
children, George C, and Mrs. Lillian Wing. In 1873 inherited and purchased the old
homestead of 104 acres, which has been in the family since 1825. In 1855 he bought
the James Rogers estate, in 1859 bought part of the Weed estate, having 200 acres,
and raising fruit, hay, grain and stock. Our subject is one of the leading farmers in his
town.
Wilcox, H. H., was born in Manchester, Ontario county, November 20, 1823, a son
of Earl and Jane (Stewart) Wilcox, he a native of Palmyra, born March 30, 1794, and
she of Massachusetts. The grandfather, William Wilcox, was born in Rhode Island,
April 24, 1770, and at the age of eighteen (1788) came to .Palmyra. March 7, 1793, he
married Ruth Durfee, they being the first couple married in Palmyra. They prospered
and became possessed of 500 acres of land, their residence being three-quarters of a mile
east of Palmyra Station. They had five sons and five daughters. The grandfather was
a farmer and for many years captain of the Light Horse Military Company, with whom
he was very popular. Earl, the eldest of the family of William, was born March 29,
1794, and at the age of eighteen was drafted as a soldier, being the only one drafted in
that town. He married Jane Stewart, September 24, 1815, and became a farmer. He
was a well informed man, but never cared for public office. He had six sons and one
daughter, of whom our subject was the fourth. He was born November 20, 1823, at
Manchester, Wayne county, and came to Marion in 1S26, where he has lived ever since,
engaged in farming. He owns 142 acres of the old homestead, and is a member of
Williamson Grange No. 338. January 22, 1850, he married Mary E. Button, of England,
born in July, 1831, a daughter of William and Mary Button. Mr. Wilcox has one son,
Francis, born October 21, 1854. He was educated in Marion Collegiate Institute, and
has always resided at home. December 12, 1877, he married Eliza A., daughter of
Augustus and Amanda Beach, and they have one daughter, Mildred M., born October
25, 1891. Francis is a member of Williamson Grange, and also of the K. O. T. M.
West, Solomon B., was born in Oneida county December 11, 1799. His father was
James, a native of New York, in which State he lived and died at Verona. The wife
of Solomon West was Relief Pierce, born in Grafton, Mass., December 12, 1801. Her
father, Amos Pierce, a native of England, came to the United States with two brothers.
He settled in Watertown, Jefferson county, and then went to Grafton, Mass., where he
died, aged eighty-three. His wife was Mollie Weston, of native of Vermont, by whom
he had nine children. Solomon West and wife came to Marion in 1836. He was a
FAMILY SKETCHES. 233
carpenter by trade and died in 1872, aged seventy-two years, and his wife now resides
in Marion at the age of ninety-three. They had six children, of whom three are now
living : Albert A., born in Verona, Oneida county, February 12, 1836, educated in
Marion Collegiate Institute, and at the age of sixteen went to Palmyra, where he
learned the tanners' trade. He has worked at his trade in Boston, Springfield, Mass.,
Worcester, and spent four and one-half years in California, going there in 1864. He is
at present engaged in the hardware trade in the village of Marion, where he has been
sixteen years. He served nine months in Company H, 9th Mass. Volunteer Infantry,
enlisting in 1862. In 1862 he married Katie Winslow, of Buffalo. Mr. West is a mem-
ber of John B. Burred Post, No. 444, G. A. E. A. G. West born October 4, 1832, is a
tinsmith in Canandaigua. His wife is Delia Landon, and they have one son, Roswell.
He served one year in 160th N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, enlisting 1864. James was
born September 4, 1841, educated in Marion Collegiate Institute. He clerked in a drug
store in Marion and in 1872 went to Detroit, where he has since been engaged with the
Detroit Stove Works, and at present is shipping clerk. He is a Free Mason, and has
served one year in the 111th N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, enlisting in 1862.
Van Fleet, B. D., was born in Phelps, Ontario county, June 27, 1857. His father,
Cornelius, is a prominent farmer in that town. B. D. Van Fleet was educated in the
common schools and finished at the Geneva High School, after which he taught school
three years and then established the grocery business at Mitchell's Station and at Dub-
lin ; and in 1892 came to Alloway and established the same business. In 1893 he
bought the David Trimmer property, and is now the largest dealer in general merchan-
dise in the town of Alloway. At the age of thirty-one he married Nettie, daughter of
William Thorn, of Junius, Seneca county, and they are the parents of one daughter.
Our subject is one of the active business men in his town, identified in educational and
religious matters.
Meade, M. W., was born in the town of New Lisbon, Otsego county, N. Y., April
17, 1838. His father, George W. Meade, was a native of New Lisbon, and a Baptist
minister, and was engaged in active service for more than twenty years. He died at
Parma, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. M. W. Meade was educated in the com-
mon schools, finishing at Phelps Academy. In 1855 he came to Clyde, and engaged in
farming on his father's farm, which he purchased in 1870. He has also made the sell-
ing of agricultural implements a part of his business for twenty years. In 1850 he mar-
ried Emily, daughter of John W. Millius, and they have four children : James H., Will-
iam E., G. L. Meade, and M. B. Meade. Our subject has been steward of the M. E.
Church for twenty-five years, and his wife has had charge of the infant class for more
than thirty years.
Mather, Elisha B., was born in Rochester in 1851. His father was Elisha, the son of
Dr. Elisha Mather, a native of Connecticut, and the pioneer of the family in Wayne
county. The family is of English descent, and traces its ancestry back to Increase
Mather, the father of Cotton Mather. Dr. Elisha Mather settled in Wayne county
about 1825, being a man of affairs, enterprising and interested in all that concerned the
good of his adopted town and county. He was one of the founders of Hobart College,
Geneva, and a prominent member of the Episcopal Church. He had two sons : Robert
and Elisha, jr. The latter was for many years a successful attorney in Rochester, and
later in life came to Sodus Center and engaged in the milling business and farming.
He married Catharine Barker, and they had three children : Elisha B., Susan P. and
Elizabeth S. Elisha B. on reaching manhood engaged in 1871 in the mercantile trade
in Sodus, which business he has carried on ever since. He is engaged in the manufac-
ture of quick lime and is extensively engaged in fruit evaporating also. He is a mem-
ber of Sodus Center Episcopal Church, and his wife was Anna, daughter of John
Preston, of this town.
<ld
234 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Main, Marquis S., was born in North Stonington, New London county, Conn.,
September 15, 1834, son of Avery and Laura Baldwin, he a native of Stonington,
Conn., born in 1806, and she a native of Fenner, Madison county, born in 1816. He
and wife came to West Walworth in 1863, where he died April 17, 1892, and his wife
resides with her children. He was a mason by trade and a farmer. Subject was edu-
cated in the common schools and Oneida Castle and Cazenovia Academies. He taught
school one term, and then engaged in farming, which has been his principal occupation,
was also agent for Lester Bros., selling phosphate and sold first of that brand in the
town. He owns 229 acres in Walworth and follows general farming and fruit raising,
last year evaporating 22,000 quarts of black caps. He was assessor. He married,
September 21, 1858, Mary J. Ten Eyck, a native of Chenango county, and daughter of
Jacob and Sarah (Duncan) Ten Eyck, natives of Dutchess county, who settled in Chenango
county, and he died in Madison county in 1882, and she in 1835. Subject and wife had
seven children: Florence, Luella, Edith, who died aged eighteen; Jennie, Marcus A.,
Willis J., and Edward E. Mr. Main is also engaged in evaporating apples and does an
extensive business. He is one of the wealthiest men of the town. •
Mestler, Nicholas A., was born in Alsace, Germany, March 14, 1857, and in 1870
came to the town of Lyons. He was educated in Germany and at the Lyons High
School, after which he taught school eleven years. At the age of twenty-five he mar-
ried Rosa Kriess, and they have three children : Grover, Bertha and Florence. In 1890
he established his present business, and is now carrying one of the largest and best
selected stocks of general merchandise in Lock Berlin and its vicinity, keeping a wagon
for distribution. Our subject is recognized as one of the self-made men of the town of
Galen, buying and handling a large part of the produce of his town.
Mason, D., was born April 6, 1849, and is the only son of Charles and Iantha Mason,
mentioned elsewhere in this book. He was educated at the Sodus Academy, and en-
gaged in farming and coopering, and makes 5,000 barrels yearly. He also owns ninety
acres of land and follows general farming, He is a Democrat. In 1880 he married
Lillian Kelsey, and they have two children, Charles J., and Elsie. Mrs. Mason died in
1885, and Mr. Mason married Mary Roby in 1889, and they had one daughter, Jessie,
who died in April, 1893.
Lawrence, Walter, was born in New Jersey, November 21, 1825. Walter Lawrence,
his father, was a native of New Jersey, coming to New York State at an early age. He
settled at Farmington, Ontario county, and from there came to Macedon, where he
worked at the carpenter's trade and then engaged in farming. He married Susan
Johnson, of New Jersey, and they were the parents of nine children, Walter being the
sixth child. Walter Lawrence, jr., is a farmer, having been engaged in farming all his
life, and at present owns a farm of 89 acres of fine land. He married Phebe F. Fritts
of Onondaga county, and to them nine children were born. In politics he is a Re-
publican.
Lane, John D., was born in Canada, May 22, 1805. His father, Thomas Lane, was a
native of Charleston, N. Y., but moved to Canada during the time of the late war, re-
turning to Victor in this State at the close of the war. He married Luthelia Dickson,
and they were the parents of ten childreu, John D. being the seventh child. John D.
Lane is now eighty-nine years old. He has always followed farming as an occupation,
and now owns a farm of 253 acres, which is worked by his son. He married Hannah
Hodes, and to them thirteen children were born. Mr. Lane has always been a Democrat.
Knowles, George H., was born in Lyons July, 1836. His father, John, came from
Newburg to Lyons in 1811, and then moved to Butler and was a farmer. George W.
was educated in the Lyons Union School, to which he has added through life by read-
ing and close observation. After leaving school he entered the employ of his
FAMILY SKETCHES. 235
brother in the drygoods business, then succeeded his brother, continuing the business
four years. He established the produce and forwarding business in 1860, and in which
he is still engaged. Mr. Knowles is a Democrat, and in 1874 was president of the'vil-
lage, also was appointed sheriff of his county in 1890 to succeed Charles Reed deceased.
Subject is one of the largest buyers and shippers of produce in the town, where he is
identified in advancing its best interests and the leading events of the day, and is recog-
nized as a man of sterling worth and character.
Keller, Dwight, was born in Newark September 5, 1835. His father, Jacob, came
from Columbia county when he was a boy about 1810 to Newark, learning the hatter's
trade. He continued the business for some years, and then purchased a farm. Dwight
was educated in the schools of Newark, and at the age of twenty-five married Sarah C,
daughter of Reuben Richmond. In 1866 he bought the Daniel Cole property of sixty
acres, in 1867 bought part of the Richmond estate, also part of the Allen estate, having
140 acres and raising grain, fruit, hay and stock. Our subject is one of the substantial
farmers of his town, taking an active interest in educational and religious matters.
Kellogg, Ethan B., is one of Huron's representatives, born in Butler, Wayne county,
in October, 1841, son of Charles B. Kellogg. His wife was Marietta McKoon, born in
July, 1819, daughter of Rev. William and Lucy Ann (Cole) McKoon. They had four
children : William B , Ethan B., John C. and Lucy Ann, wife of J. Byron Smith, of
Wolcott. Mr. Kellogg died in 1854, and his wife in 1879. The grandfather of Mr.
Kellogg was Benjamin Kellogg. In 1862 subject enlisted in Company H, 9th N. Y.
Heavy Artillery, under Col. Joseph Willing. He was stationed at Fort Mansfield, Md.,
in defense of Washington, and in March, 1864, was discharged on account of physical
disability, from which he has never recovered. In 1883 subject moved to Huron and
purchased land near Rice's Mills, where he has since resided. He was appointed town
clerk in 1889, and served as collector one term in the town of Wolcott. In January,
1869, he married Harriet, daughter of Jonathan C, and Levinne H. (Doolittle) Rice, and
they have had these children : Charles J., born December 25, 1873, and Yinnie Mae,
born October 17, 1876. Subject is a member of the G-. A. R., Keeslar Post, No. 55, of
Wolcott, also a member of the A. 0. TJ. W. Charles J., his son, married November 4,
1893, Ada C. Lock wood, of the town of Butler, and they reside with subject of sketch.
Kellogg, Henry', was born in Galen July 20, 1847. His father, Ethan B. was a
native of Franklin county, Mass., born October 24, 1808, a son of Benjamin, who came
to Wayne in 1812. The next day after their arrival the neighbors turned out and built
him a log cabin, and furnished bear meat for the family supper. Ethan B. Kellogg fol-
lowed farming through life and was a prominent man, holding the office of school com-
missioner and other offices. He died in 1880 in his seventy-third year. Henry Kel-
logg was educated in the Clyde High School, to which he has added through life by
reading and close observation. At the age of thirty-two he married Jennie, daughter
of Flavius B. Pomeroy, and they have one son, Lewis P. In 1879 he purchased his
father's estate, known as the Deacon Tunis I. Smith property of eighty acres, raising
fruit, hay, grain and stock. Our subject is identified in educational and religious mat-
ters.
Knapp, Allen, born in Walworth January 29, 1826, is the son of Charles and Mary
Knapp. The grandfather was Caleb Knapp, a native of Connecticut, who came to
Marion in a very early day and died on the farm he settled. He was a weaver by
trade. Charles Knapp was born in Marion in 1800, and educated in the common
schools. He followed farming, resided in Chautauqua county seven years, and finally
settled in Walworth, where he died in 1870. Subject was reared on a farm, and has
always followed farming. He owns seventy-five acres of land in Marion, having sold
a part of the farm he owned. He came to Marion in 1886, and has since lived a re-
tired life. Mr. Knapp married September 6, 1848, Caroline Shaw, a native of Marion,
236 LANDMARKS OP WAYNE COUNTY
born April 10, 1831, by whom he has had one son, Miles Knapp, a farmer of Palmyra.
He married Mahssa Bristol, of Lansing, Mich. Mrs. Knapp died March 10, 1894.
Kyle, David J., postmaster at North Wolcott, was born at Picton, Ont., September
24, 1846, and became a citizen of Wayne in 1862. His father, Joseph Kyle, is a
wealthy land owner in Ontario, but our subject was of too adventurous a disposition to
be content at home. He established a grocery and general store at North Wolcott in
1880, and received his appointment as postmaster October 1, 1893. January 23, 1870,
he married Genevieve, daughter of Timothy Isham, of Wolcott, who is still living at
the age of ninety-five. Of their eight children, five are now living.
Klumpp, Daniel, was born in Elsatz, France, in 1835, son of Philip and Sally Klumpp.
When fifteen years of age he came alone to America, coming direct to Clyde where he
learned the blacksmith trade. Five years later he moved to Sodus, where he conducted
a blacksmith shop until 1885. He then came to Lake Bluff, the popular pleasure summer
resort, and pnrchased a small piece of land, on which he erected a three-story hotel,
known as the Lakeview House, which he now conducts and where friends and strangers
are always welcomed by the genial landlord. In 1874 he married Lena Yaeckel, born
in Elsatz, France, and their children were: Mrs. Eva McMullen, of Sodus Centre;
Helen, Mrs. Lizzie Hendricks, of Sodus; Charles, E., Emma E., Mrs. Hattie Smith, of
Sodus; Edward E., and Frederick. His wife died in 1878, and in 1882 he married
Millie, daughter of Barrett Clary, of Sodus.
Kimball, S. F., the only son of George Kimball, of Sterling, Cayuga county, N. Y.,
was born March 1, 1838. George Kimball came here from Manlius in 1829. He and
his wife, Louise (Pulsifer), where shining lights in the M. E. church. He died May 14,
1881, at the age of eighty-two, and his wife two years later at an advanced age. Our
subject received but limited educational opportunities, and has always been a reader and
close observer. He has been honored with positions of local trust, attesting the esteem
and confidence of his friends. He is a staunch Democrat and has served as overseer of
the poor, assessor, and justice of the peace, etc. He began business life as a farmer in
Sterling, and came to Red Creek in 1865. He now makes a specialty of registered
Jersey cattle. February 15, 1860, he married Hannah, daughter of Walter Bloomingdale,
an old resident from Schoharie county, and they have two children : Melvin J., born
January 2, 1865 ; and Ray W., born June 23, 1878. Carrie, their first-born, died March
21, 1872, aged eleven years.
Jenkins, Burgess E., was born in Butler, March 13, 1848, and is the son of the late
James M. Jenkins, who died in 1879. and was a local preacher of considerable renown.
James Jenkins made his home upon a farm, but was prompt to respond to the call of
duty, an ordained minister of the M. E. church and widely known for his benevolence
and genuine piety. His wife, Pamelia Jane, died in 1884, leaving five children. Burgess
was educated at Red Creek Seminary, and at nineteen years of age began his business
life by embarking in the flax business with Charles W. Eddy as a partner. Ten years
later, in 1877, he became known as a builder and contractor, and at the present writing
is commissioner of highways, and a man whom to know is to honor. February 19,
1868, he married Aurelia, daughter of Josephus Cross, of Wolcott, and the mother of
seven children: Grace, Morris, Cora, Milton, Gertrude, Darrie, and Cecil. Cora died
April 18, 1874, in early childhood; and Morris, who had reached the age of twenty-two
and was engaged in telegraphic work in New Jersey, died there in July, 1893.
Jordan, J. S., was born in Galen, July 9, 1857. His father, William, was born in
England, and came to the United States and settled in Lyons. J. S. Jordan was edu-
cated in the common schools, to which he has added through life by reading and close
observation. At the age of twenty-six he marriod Hattie T., daughter of Moses Cook,
of Savannah, and they have one son, Lloyd S. At the age of fourteen he went to woik
FAMILY SKETCHES. 237
on a farm for Elias E. Rumells. In 1881 he went to the County House and took charge
of the insane department, in 1884 entered the employ of the West Shorer Railroad, also
bought and shipped produce, coal and wood, in which he still continues. Our subject
is a Republican in politics, is now serving his fourth term as trustee, and is now assessor
of the town. He takes an active interest in educational and religious matters.
Hopkins, W. A., was born in Lyons, April 27, 1850. His father, Robert A., was also
a native of the town. W. A. Hopkins was educated in the Lyons High School, to which
he has added through life by reading and close observation. In 1889 he established his
present business of grocer, confectioner and baker, and makes a specialty of fine teas
and coffees, and is one of the leading men in his line of business. At the age of twenty-
one he married Sallie A., daughter of Gideon Robinson, of Lyons. Subject takes an
active interest in educational and religious matters.
Hoag, Isaac R., Macedon, was born in the town of Walworth, March 8, 1838.
Humphrey, his father, was born in Macedon (then known as Palmyra), December 22,
1810, and at present is living with our subject at Macedon. He married Rachael Briggs,
of Scipio, Cayuga county, who was born in 1815. They had four children, two now
living : Marion L., and our subject. His occupation has been farming, but for the past
four years he has lived retired with his son. The Hoags are one of the old families in
this section, dating back for many years. Our subject was educated in the district
schools of this State, was supervisor of the towns of Walworth and Macedon, and in
early life was engaged in the grocery business, which he conducted in Trenton, N. J.
He then came to Wayne county and took up farming. He married, March 15, 1865,
Mary E. Wright, of Pennsylvania, and they have two children and one adopted daughter.
He is at present road commissioner.
Hickox, William, of Macedon Centre, was born in Canandaigua, Ontario county,
September 2, 1840. Zopher Hickox, his father, was also born in Canandaigua. He was
a farmer and died in 1863, aged fifty-three years. He married Sallie M. Mallory, of
Canandaigua, and they had four children : Martha A., Mary E., William (our subject),
and Henry H. Mary E. and Henry H. are deceased ; Martha A. is now living in Gales-
ville, Wis. The family is one of the old settlers in New York State. The grandfather,
George, was a military officer, was one of the first settlers in Ontario county, helping to
clear the land where the city of Canandaigua now stands, was the first man to bring
goods from Albany to Canandaigua, transporting them with oxen and cart or sled.
There were no houses at that time and he was obliged to sleep out in his sled. Subject
is a farmer and has a fruit and berry farm, producing about 10,000 quarts of the different
qualities. He married first Jennie R^y, of Phelps, Ontario county, daughter of William
Roy. They had these children : M. Belle, J. Elton, George S., E. Grace, and Albert R.
The first wife died in 1883, and he married second, in 1887, Susan, daughter of Samuel
S. Wilber, of Manchester, Ontario county, by whom he had one child, Henry H. Our
subject was educated in Macedon Academy, and is a member of the order of S. F. I.
Hurley, N. A., was born in Clyde August 19, 1876. His father, Dennis Hurley, was
a native of the province of Quebec, Lower Canada, and came to Clyde in 1864. N. A.
Hurley was educated at the Clyde High School and entered the employ of E. Sands,
remaining three years. In the spring of 1893 he established his present business, carry-
ing a large line of imported and domestic groceries and also a full stock of crockery. At
the age of eighteen he married Lizzie, daughter of Dennis Sheehan. Our subject is
identified in advancing the best interests of the town, and is a trustee of St. John's
church.
Hibbard, Fremont, born at Butler, July 5, 1856, is the only son of the late Jerome
Hibbard, and joint proprietor with his sister Nettie of the Hibbard Basket Works, the
most important industry of South Butler. All the machinery used at this factory was
238 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
designed by Mr. Jerome Hibbard, and evinces not only his superior mechanical ability,
but stands a monument to his energy and sagacity. He died April 4, 1888, at the age
of fifty- eight years, and his memory will long be cherished for his many good qualities
and generosity. Fremont Hibbard married, April 25, 1889, Marian, daughter of Andrew
Piersall, of Savannah.
Haugh, Frank A., was born in the village of Clyde. His father, John Haugh, was a
native of the town of Galen and is a prominent farmer of his town. Frank A. Haugh
was educated at Clyde and has always lived in this town. At the age of twenty-four
he married Kittie Hallett, daughter of Horace B. Hallett, and they are the parents of
two children, Lena and Leora. Mr. Haugh is one of the best known men in the town,
and has held office as town clerk and deputy postmaster.
Hunt, William, was born in Farmington. Ontario county, March 25, 1832, a son of
Micajah and Sarah (Gardner) Hunt, who settled in Walworth in 1844. The father died
there in 1880, and the mother in 1860. The grandparents were Micajah and Sarah
(Nichols) Hunt, whose parents came from England. Our subject was educated in the
Macedon CeDter Academy and first engaged in the fruit tree business for ten years. He
married in 1863 Alice, daughter of Samuel and Louise (Reed) Knowles, of Rensselaer-
ville, and they have these children: Lilian, wife of Loren Hill, of Iowa; Miriam, of
Nebraska ; Jessie, Carrie, and Cora, all of whom are teachers. Mr. Hunt is a farmer
and makes a specialty of fruit evaporating, the raising of garden truck, etc. They are
members of the Free Will Baptist church.
Harris, Calvin P., was born in Penfield May 14, 1857, son of Peter and Ellen (Bur-
rows) Harris, natives of Penfield. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native
of Scotland, who came to Penfield at an early d?iy where he died. The maternal grand-
father was Amos Burrows, a native of Connecticut, who died in Rochester in 1874.
His wife was Sallie Cornwell, a native of Connecticut. He was a soldier in the war of
1812. The father of subject is a farmer and resides in Penfield. Subject has always
been a farmer, and owns 100 acres. He married in 1878 Ella C. Butler, a native of
Detroit, Mich., and daughter of Amasa and Esther Butler, who reside in East Penfield.
Mr. Harris and wife have had four children : Arthur P., Ellen L., Esther H. and Donald
D. The great-grandfather of subject was Joseph Burrows, a native of Connecticut,
whose parents came in the Mayflower and settled in Connecticut. Joseph Burrows
was in the war of the Revolution, an aid to Washington. He died in Penfield in
1848.
Hoagland, Charles B., born in Williamson May 2, 1859, is the youngest of two sons
of William and Harriet (Luce) Hoagland. The grandfather, Albert, came to William-
son about 1825, and purchased a farm where subject now resides. He died July 25,
1852. His wife, Elizabeth, died January 20, 1865. William was reared on the home-
stead in Williamson. He made many improvements and increased it to 208 acres,
which he left to the family. His wife, Harriet, was a daughter of William Luce, who
was one of the pioneers of Palmyra. Their son Albert was born July 15, 1854. He
married Mattie Cady, followed farming, and died February 28, 1893. He left one son,
Willie. Mr. Hoagland died June 12, 1893, and his wife April 26, 1892. C. B. Hoag-
land was educated in Marion, Walworth and Williamson, and has always followed
farming on the homestead. He now has 104 acres of land, and carries on general farm-
ing. November 25, 1884, he married Nellie, daughter of William Reed, of Ontario,
Wayne county, by whom he has two children : Blanche and Stanley. Mr. Hoagland
is at present road commissioner of the town. He is a member of Williamson Grange,
and of the Williamson Tent, No. 162, K. O. T. M.
Hoag, Benjamin H., was born in Walworth March 14, 1849, the fifth of six children
born to Hiram C. and Sallie A. Wyman, daughter of Abel B. Wyman, of Walworth,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 239
one of the early settlers in the town. Hiram C. was born in Macedon in 1818, son of
Benjamin Hoag, one of the first settlers of Macedon. He is a farmer and resides in
West Walworth, where he has resided since 1857. He enlisted in Company B, 9th
Heavy Artillery, and served three years. Benjamin H. Hoag was reared on a farm, at
fourteen years old learned the harness trade and followed it ten years in West Wal-
worth, and in 1878 went to Kansas, where he was engaged in farming ten years and
returned to Ontario and settled on the S. N. Maine farm, where he has since resided.
He has sixty acres and follows general farming. He is a Republican and married De-
cember 24, 1868, Jennie Maine, a native of Ontario and daughter of Stephen N. Maine,
a native of Connecticut, who came to Ontario in 1836, and settled on the farm now
owned by Mr. Hoag. His father, Stephen Maine, was also a native of Connecticut,
came to Ontario in 1836, and died here in 1864. His wife was Lucinda Ray, a native
of Vermont, who died in 1851. The wife of Stephen H. Maine died in 1878, and Mr.
Maine resides with his daughters. Mr. Maine was supervisor ten years, county super-
intendent of schools for some years, and taught school twenty-one terms. He married
Cornelia Pratt, a native of Williamson, and daughter of Alvah Pratt, one of the first
settlers of Williamson. Mr. Maine and wife have had five children, of whom two are
living : Mrs. Hoag and Dr. Maine, of Webster. Mr. Hoag and wife have had two
children : Cora, wife of Thomas Ransley, by whom she has two children, Benjamin D.
Murray, and Esca, at home.
Hennessy, Dr. W. J., is a native of Rochester, born in 1856, educated at the Victor
Union School, Macedon Academy and Syracuse University, graduating from the latter
in 1881. He began the study of medicine with Dr. C. M. Kingman, of Palmyra, in
1877, and graduated from the Syracuse Medical College in 1881. He practiced at
Palmyra till 1883, then moved to Valley Center, Kan., where he practiced till April,
1884, when he returned to Palmyra and has since practiced here. He married in 1883
Minnie, daughter of J. C. Lovett, dry goods merchant of Palmyra, and they have had
one son, who died in infancy. Mrs. Hennessy died in May, 1884, and October 29,
1888, Dr. Hennessy married May, daughter of Henry Birdsall, of Palmyra, and they
have had one son and one daughter. Dr. Hennessy was trustee of the village in 18B9-
93; president of Wayne County Medical Society 1889-90, and has been health officer
for the past seven years.
Hillimire, Anson, a native of Germany, was born in 1824, and came to America in
1849, locating at East Palmyra. In 1852 he married Celestia Cole, and a few years
afterward purchased 107 acres of land, where he now resides. He makes a specialty of
growing and distilling peppermint. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hillimire are: David,
deceased ; Edwin, Kittie, deceased, and Frederick.
Hill, Joseph G., graduate Toronto Veterinary College, was born at Sennett, Cay-
uaga county, N. Y., January 16, 1864. His earlier education was acquired at the Mon-
roe Collegiate Institute, after which he spent three years at Toronto, graduating with
high honors, besides holding special dental and medical diplomas. January 11, 1893,
he married Ida Barrell, of Wolcott. Dr. Hill began practice at Weedsport, but is now
located at Red Creek, where his manifest ability and genial nature have already given
him a wide clientele.
Hoag, Jefferson W., was born and reared on a farm in the town of Arcadia, Wayne
county, N. Y. While preparing for college he taught a district school for one term and
for two terms taught in the Canandaigua Academy. He prepared for college at the
Newark Academy, under the principalship of J. Forman Steele. He entered the class
of 1870 at Union College, and graduated with that class. After his graduation he en-
gaged in teaching, for two years as principal of Leavenworth College at Wolcott, N. Y.
He graduated from the Albany Law School in 1873, and was then admitted to practice
as attorney at law. Shortly after being admitted to the bar, he opened an office at
240 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Wolcott, N. Y., where he has ever since been engaged in the practice of his profession.
In 1882 he was elected district attorney for Wayne county and served three years in
that capacity. In 1877 he married Ada H. Rowland, of Newark, N. Y.
Hoff, Hubbard, a veteran soldier, who is a familiar figure at Red Creek, and whose
disabilities are a constant reminder of those " times that tried men's souls," was born in
Schoharie county, June 2, 1826. His father, R. C. Hoff, came here in 1834 and en-
gaged in mercantile life. Hubbard learned the trade of cabinet making, which he
practiced in various cities of the State until August 28, 1862, when he enlisted in the
160th N. Y. S. Vols, as hospital steward. At the battle of Winchester he was severely
wounded by a shell, subjecting him to a weary confinement in the hospital, a long con-
valescence at home, and causing permanent lameness. July 28, 1847, he married Mary
G. Rassmussen, of Sterling, and they haye two children: William D., born September
10, 1848, and Ives P., born November 26, 1852.
Hyde, J. H., is the only son of Harlow Hyde, who came to Wolcott in 1807, when
four years of age, and whose father, Zenos Hyde, was the first practicing physician in
Wolcott. Harlow Hyde, now ninety-two years of age, and in possession of all his
faculties, is in many ways a remarkable man. He is the oldest living ex-supervisor of
Wolcott, was for twenty years a justice, and a Repubhcan assemblyman from 1856 to
1860. James H., when eleven years old, was by an accident deprived of an eye, not-
withstanding which he acquired a good education, and in 1862 accepted the lieutenancy
of Company A., 138th Inf., and went at once to the front, participating in the battles
of Monocacy Junction, Petersburg, Cold Harbor, and Cedar Creek. At the latter, while
in command of cavalry, ke was shot through the arm and unhorsed. He married in
1850 Sarah A. Avery, who lost her life while caring for sick soldiers at Alexandria, Va.,
and whose four sons are also now deceased.
Hoyt, A. W., a veteran of the Civil War, was born at Weedsport, Cayuga county,
November 5, 1846, the youngest son of Aaron F. Hoyt. At sixteen years of age, a
student at Weedsport, he enlisted in Battery I, 3d N. Y. Light Artillery. His ex-
perience during the war possessed more than the usual vicissitudes of a soldier's life, and
during an expedition to Plymouth, N. O, he received injuries which culminated in the
loss of an eye, and for disability he was discharged in July, 1865, after three years of
service. It is a fact worthy of note that he was the youngest of five brothers: William,
Aaron, Abner, Judson, and Adin, all of whom were in the service and in the same com-
pany and regiment.
Hawley, William, is the son of Aaron Hawley, for many years a prominent builder
and contractor at Albany, N. Y. William, born in New York city, September 30, 1819,
and educated at Albany, came to Wolcott in 1834, and was for a period of ten years en-
gaged in the mercantile business at Red Creek. Afterwards adopting agriculture as his
principal vocation he has achieved a signal success, being one of the largest landholders
of this locality, and his farms are adorned with large and handsome buildings. In 1849
he married Sophia Hamilton, of Victory, Cayuga county, and they have two sons,
Aaron, born in 1850, and Charles H, born in 1857. Sophia Hawley died in 1863, and
Mr. Hawley's present wife was Miss Hannah Ward, of Wolcott, Mr. Hawley has been
a steadfast Republican all his life.
Hoyt, George H., was born near Dexter, Me., in the town of Ripley, September 6,
1825, a son of George W. Hoyt, who was a native of Bradford, N. H. George H. was
educated in the common schools of Bradford and at the Francistown Academv. His
parents died when he was three years of age, and he journeyed through Maine into
New Hampshire, a distance of 250 miles and resided with his grandfather on the farm
until reaching his majority. After various experiences he came in 1850 to Newark,
Wayne county, and in 1854 returned to_Concord,jN. H. That year he married Mary H.,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 241
daughter of Jonathan Scribner, of Salisbury, N. H., and they have had three children :
George H., jr., Carrie, now Mrs. Green ; and Lillie, now Mrs. Barnard, of Baltimore,
Md. In 1857 Mr. Hoyt came with his wife to Clyde, where he engaged in the grocery
business, continuing up to 1861, when he entered the employ of William C. Ely at the
glass works, being soon after appointed agent for Dr. Linus Ely in the same business.
Dr. Ely was succeeded by Orrin Southvvick, and in 1868 Mr, Hoyt became a partner in
the firm of Southwick, Reed & Co., they being succeeded by Ely, Reed & Co., which
firm continued up to the time of the death of William C. Ely in 1886. The firm was
then reorganized and continued under the style of William C. Ely's Sons & Hoyt,
manufacturers of fruit jars and glass bottles. Our subject is recognized as one of the
conservative men of his town, and has always been identified in advancing its best
interests. He is a trustee of the M. E. church of Clyde.
Warren, Gardiner D., was born in the town of Sodus July 8, 1827, a son of Gardiner,
and a grandson of Samuel Warren, the first of the family to settle in Wayne county.
He came from Cheshire, N. H., with his family, consisting of his wife and six sons,
arriving in 1807, on an ox sled. The place was a wilderness, and many trials and
hardships were met by this pioneer family, which became one of the first in importance
in the county. His son, Gardiner, father of our subject, came to South Sodus, where
he died. He was a farmer and also engaged in the mercantile trade. For several
years he was county superintendent of the poor, and was a leading member of the
South Sodus M. E. church. He married Abigal Davis, and their children were: Aldace
P., Gardiner D., and Mary E. The latter married C. T. Cure, and settled in Grant
City, Mo. Aldace P. settled at South Sodus and was for several years a major in the
old State militia. He was for twenty-eight years a justice of the peace, and for thirty
years engaged in the mercantile trade. He removed to Ohio, where he died December
12, 1881. Gardiner D. was engaged in the dry goods trade at South Sodus for five
years, prior to 1852, when he went to New York city, and for fourteen years was en-
gaged in jobbing. In 1872 he formed the jobbing house of S. J. Arnold & Co., from
which firm he retired in 1878, then went to Chicago and formed the firm of Lee,
Reynolds & Warren, wholesale dealers in buffalo robes. In 1881 Mr. Warren retired
from business, returning to Sodus, but he spends his winters in the South. In 1866 he
married Ann De Kay, who died in 1882.
Hill, Charles H., was born at Sodus Point in 1838, and is a son of John Hill, who
came from Oswego to Sodus Point in 1837. His father served in the war of 1812.
The family is of English descent and trace their ancestry back to 1640, when he first
came to this country and settled in Connecticut. The grandfather of John Hill settled
in Yermont and his father settled in Jefferson county. John Hill was a carpenter and
builder and for many years carried on an extensive business. He resided at Sodus
Point until 1865, when he removed to New York and entered the employ of the
N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. as master carpenter. He was a member of the State militia and
was adjutant. He married Jerusha C, daughter of Capt. Samuel Freeman, who was a
merchant trader to the West Indies. Their children were : Edward, Charles H., Mary
E., John J., and Helen A. Charles H. Hill settled at Sodus Point. He is a carpenter
and builder and has a large and prosperous business. For three years he carried on the
business at Albany, N.Y. He takes an active part in political affairs, and was a deputy
collector of customs at Sodus Point from 1889 to 1893. He married October 18, 1866.
Mary E. Waters, of Pultneyville, N.Y.
Gordon. John, son of David and Polly Gordon, was born October 14, 1807, in Carlisle,
N.Y., was the eldest of a family of ten children. His parents were of German and
Scotch descent, and moved from Carlisle to Galen when John was about six years
old, and purchased near Lockpit what is now called the Burton farm. John re-
mained on the farm with his father until he was twenty-one years of age,
242 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
attended the district school winters and summers whenever his father could spare him
from work, where he obtained what was called in those days a good education. In 1831
he had accumulated by his industry enough to enable him to purchase a farm of i 44 acres,
which he occupied at his death. It was a dense forest when he purchased it. In 1835
he married Pboebe, daughter of Jedediah and Mary Jenkins. She was born Novem-
ber 15, 1807, in Queensburg, N. Y., and moved with her parents to Galen when twelve
years old. So both may be classed among the early settlers. By their united industry
they built up the home which they occupied fifty-five years. They had eight children,
three of whom are living: Clarissa, Dora O, and T. Adelbert. He was a very success-
ful farmer, raising grain, hay, fruit and stock. During the spring of 1891 both passed
away, April 14th the wife died and May 17th the husband. Adelbert, the only son
living, lives on the homestead. He was married to Hattie, daughter of Roswell Crane,
of Waterloo, February 26, 1889, and now has five children : Olive, Amy, Lillian May,
and twins, Hiram and John. " There ever existed between them and between the
members of their family uninterrupted domestic concord and felicity. In all things the
members of the household, by influence of the conjugal example, have been affectionate,
faithful and true to each other. As citizens their life was not conspicuous before the
world, but their influence was none the. less effective and salutary, since it is ever true
that the power of virtue is inherent in itself and cannot be lost, though there be no
tongue to herald it abroad. A long life of integrity and honor has an earthly im-
mortality, the dying breath does not fade it out. As religionists they were broad of
faith and unrestrained and sincere in charity. As citizens they are public spirited, in-
telligent and patriotic. As parents they were affectionate, wise and faithful. As
neighbors they were neighborly. In character they were a noble man and woman.
They had lived together so long and tenderly, had so grown to become one in their
union that they could not live apart. The stroke that sundered them served to reunite
them, the husband surviving the wife but a few weeks."
Arnold, William T., was born in Perry, Wyoming county. December 16, 1832. His
father, George, was a native of Yorkshire, England, came to America in 1830 and in
1835 settled in Sodus, purchasing a farm of eighty acres on the lake road, northeast of
the village, where he lived until his death, December 16, 1887. He was a prominent
member of the Sodus M. E. church. He married Catherine Wride, and they had one
son, William T., our subject. He settled on the homestead and is a prosperous farmer.
He married Elizabeth, daughter of William Hewson, and they have two children :
George, who married Sarah Drake, and Charles, who married Elizabeth Swailes, both
settled in Sodus.
Hartman, P. T., was born in Tuscola county, Mich., August 28, 1858. His father,
Joseph, was a native of Wayne county, and retired in 1860. P. T. Hartman was edu-
cated in Lyons Union School, after leaving which he farmed two years, and then en-
gaged as clerk in the hardware business with Col. William Kreutzer, then associated
with the express company two years and then entered the employ of E. G. Leonard
for five years and then went to Canandaigua with George B. Anderson and returned to
Lyons in the spring of 1880, and entered into partnership with F. L. Breisch, the firm
name Breisch & Hartman, carrying one of the largest stocks of dry goods, cloaks, car-
pets and notions in Wayne county. The firm originally located at 36 Canal street, but
in 1892 removed to the Parshall Memorial building, occupying two floors, with a depth
of 120 and width of 50 feet. P. T. Hartman married at twenty-nine Ada, daughter of
James S. Hickox, of Canandaigua, Ontario county, and they have two children : P. H.
Hartman and Ruth M. Hartman. Our subject is one of the leading merchants in his
town, taking an intelligent interest in educational and religious matters, and is recog-
nized as a man of sterling integrity and worth.
Swift, Elisha T., born in Sullivan county, N. Y., July 17, 1818, is the second of a
of four sons and four daughters of Silas and Elizabeth Swift, pioneers of William-
FAMILY SKETCHES. 243
son, coming there from Sullivan county, N. Y. They went to Michigan leaving Elisha
T., who was about 14 years of age, with Mr. Smith of Marion with whom he remained
till of age. He commenced business for himself in a saw mill, manufacturing and selling-
pumps. He then engaged in the cooper business in Walworth, exchanged this business
for a farm in Walworth which he traded for the farm in Williamson, where he now resides.
Here he was also engaged in the lumber business a few years. He made nearly all of
the improvements on the farm. Mr. Swift has been three times married, first to Cath-
erine Rounserville, aud after her death to Martha Wake, who died in 1873 and by whom
he has one son and three daughters, two now deceased, Emma and Jennie. He married
third Maria S. (Evans) Harding, daughter of Luther and Elizabeth (Howland) Evans,
natives of Massachusetts, who went to Michigan in 1844, where he died in 1851, and
his wife in 1858. Mrs. Swift came to Palmyra at the age of fourteen years. She mar-
ried first John Harding, by whom she has one son, Fred, a farmer in Nebraska. Mr.
Harding died 1866 and she married Mr. Swift, by whom she has one daughter Lizzie D.
Mr. Swift has for some time been disabled by paralysis, and Mrs. Swift now has charge
of the farm. They have 103 acres, and are engaged in general farming and fruit raising.
They attended and supported the M. E. church until the few last years.
Le Vanway, Joseph, father of Henry W., was a native of France, and was an orphan
at the age of ten years. He was bound out to a man and brought to America when
twelve years old, and after serving his time he married Margery Moore, she being of
German descent. He engaged in agricultural pursuits, purchasing a farm in Peru,
Clinton county, and gave it his entire attention for several years. He then engaged
extensively in the lumbering business, sometimes employing 100 men, and took the lar-
gest raft of lumber to Quebec that had ever been taken there, which covered four acres
of water. He sold his property in Clinton county and bought a farm in St. Lawrence
county. The children of Joseph and Margery Le Vanway were as follows : Betsey,
Doras. Julia, Harriet, George, Harrison, Hardy, Wellington (who is a minister), Henry
W. (our subject), Hardy 2d, Adeline, Anderson (who was a doctor) and Charles N.,
who left his law office and raised a company of men and went into the War of the
Rebellion, where he was killed at the battle of Shiloh, while acting in place of Colonel
Bosworth, of the 34th Illinois regiment. The brothers all grew to be temperate, with
one exception. When Mr. Le Vanway went to St. Lawrence county the whole territory
was a dense forest, and he took with him his seven sons to assist him in felling trees
and clearing the land. Henrv W., not liking the wild forest so well, started out for
himself when only sixteen years of age, and on arriving in Wayne county among
strangers, had only three shillings left. He engaged as a farm hand on his arrival, and
now is the owner of one of the finest farms in the county, consisting of 200 acres of
fine land (fifty of which, however, he has sold to his daughter). He is now the only
survivor of his father's family. The father died in 1841, and the mother in 1860. At
the age of twenty-eight our subject married Cynthia D., daughter of Alanson S. Curtis,
and they had two children : Alanson H., who died aged four years and Edra A., wife
of R. R. Barnes, a clothier, of Clyde. Mrs. Le Vanway died July 18, 1894.
Brundige, Cornelius O., was born at Fishkill, N. Y., in 1827 and is of German descent.
Alvah, his father, was born in 1799 and died in 1874. He was a son of Abram who
served in the War of 1812. Alvah Brundige came from Fishkill in 1838 and settled in
Lyons, purchasing of Daniel Paul a farm of seventy-six acres. He was a leading mem-
ber of the South Sodus M. E. church. By trade he was a blacksmith and edged tool
maker, and carried on that business after coming to Wayne county. He married Bar-
bara A. Ostrander, and their children were : Harvey, who settled in Huron and is a
farmer; he married Sophia Upson. Catherine married Myron M. Alden, of Lyons.
Emily, who is unmarried. Margaret A., who died unmarried. Abraham, who enlisted
in 1862 in the 8th N. Y. Heavy Artillery and served till the close of the war; he mar-
ried Hattie Davis and settled first in Sodus and later at Niagara Falls. Much of his life
244 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
was spent in teaching and he died in 1891. Mary E. married David S. Dawes and
settled near Weedsport, N. Y. Alson died in childhood, Cornelius O., first settled in
the town of Lyons but soon after settled near South Sodus. He is a veterinary surgeon
by profession, but for eighteen years was an extensive apple buyer. In 1890 he was
elected justice of the peace, is a member of the South Sodus M. E. church and Lyons
Grange. He married in 1851 Lucy, daughter of Jonathan H. Lamson, of Lyons, and
their children are: Alice A. (Mrs. Cornelius B. Horton, of Sodus) ; Lucy E. (Mrs. Oscar
H. Sweet, of Rochester) ; and Kate E. (Mrs. William Munn, of Lyons).
Lyman, Samuel, and Clementina (Evarts) Lyman were born in Salisbury, Conn., the
former August 18, 1794, the latter July 7, 1793. They removed to Rose (then Wolcott),
N.Y., in February, 1818, coming with sled and oxen, and were seventeen days on the
road. They endured with patience and hope the privations and discomforts incident to
all settlers of a new heavily timbered country, subject to malarial diseases, from the
annual drying of undrained swamps. For a number of winters Mr. Lyman taught
school, and his help-mate, taking advantage of a trade learned in Connecticut, sup-
plied many of her neighbors with that indispensable article of feminine attire, a bon-
net, and by united efforts they succeeded in keeping the wolf from the door. Their
children were: Caroline, born, May 7. 1817; John, born April 28, 1819; Mary, born
May 16. 1821; Charles and David (twins), born February 7, 1824; Lavius H., born
April 15, 1828; Frederick, born July 21. 1830; Flavia E., born May 31, 1833; Samuel
E., born June 16, 1836. Samuel Lyman died May 28, 1877, his wife having died
June 25, 1870. In politics Mr. Lyman was a partisan only in so far as he believed the
action of his party to be in line with public interests and individual rights. He was
originally a Democrat, but in the Morgan excitement he became an anti-Mason, and,
in succession, a Whig, Liberty party man, Free Soiler, and, last of all, a Republican.
He was the leading abolitionist of Rose, and occasionally his house was used as a
station on the underground railroad. He was also one of the earliest temperance
men, and the first cold water raising in town was that of a barn built by him in 1830,
where the cold water and hot water forces met in a trial of strength, and for a while
the result seemed doubtful, one party raising up and the other party pulling down ;
but the hot water men were finally beaten, and with bruised fingers and trailing
colors abandoned the contest. They succeeded some half dozen times in forcing back
the first bent after it had taken quite a start upward, and at the next attempt, when
the beam had reached the proper height to make the action effective, a stout beechen
lever in the hands of Elizur Flint was swept along its length, to the detriment of
numerous fingers that were tugging at its upper instead of its under side, and the
bent moved steadily to its place, to the great disgust of the whiskyites, a near by
whiskey seller saying he would rather have given $5 than to see the barn go up ; but
the joke was, he had no $5 to give. Conspicuous among the men who stood for the
right on that occasion were Elizur Flint, Chauncey Bishop, Stephen Collins, Joel N.
Lee, Rev. Ansel Gardiner, and C. W. Fairbank. Samuel Lyman was social, humorous,
wittv, a good story-teller, intelligent, argumentative, honest, and his motto was: ''Do
Right."
Boss, Cornelius, born in Sodus April 6, 1856, is the fifth of nine children of Isaac
and Sarah (Dedee) Boss, natives of Holland, who came to America in 1854 and
settled in Williamson on a farm. He bought a farm in Sodus, where he resided till
1865, when he went to Michigan for a year. He returned to Sodus, again buying a
farm, which he sold and bought the farm, a part of which is now owned by our sub-
ject. He died April 3, 1887, and his wife March 29, 1880. Subject was reared on a
farm and educated in Sodus and Marion. He married, April 7, 1880, Annie, daughter
of Frank and Mary (Lawrence) Leroy, natives of Holland. Mr. and Mrs. Boss have
one son and one daughter: Frank O, born September 6, 1886, and Jessie May, born
July 13, 1891. Mr. Leroy died in 1866, and Mrs. Leroy resides in Marion. Mr. Boss
FAMILY SKETCHES. 245
has always been engaged in farming, and makes a specialty of fruit growing. He is a
member of the Grange, and is also a member of Security Tent, K. 0. T. M.
Ford, Charles H., was born in Utica, October 19, 1861. His father, Harvey Ford,
was a well known contractor and builder throughout Oneida and Herkimer counties.
Charles H. Ford was educated in the common schools and finished at the Whitestown
Seminary, then went to Auburn and engaged in the tobacco trade; in 1882 came to
Clyde and established his present business as jobber in tobacco and cigars. In 1889 he
was elected trustee of the village, in 1890 supervisor, and re-elected in 1891. He was
appointed the same year superintendent of section 8, of the Erie Canal, resigned in
1893, and was appointed under Governor Flower sheriff of Wayne county in the spring
of 1894. At the age of twenty-five he married Miss Emma W. Gilbert, daughter of
Horace Gilbert, of Auburn, and are the parents of one son, Vivian Ford. Our subject
is identified in advancing the best interests of his town and county and leading events of
the day. He is a member of the fire department for ten years, foreman, and drill
master for six years ; also member of Clyde Lodge No. 300, Wayne Encampment of
Newark ; Canton Galen No. 49, of which he is the present commander.
Eaton, William L., was born in Marion, February 20, 1841, and is the son of Ira and
Almira (Hall) Eaton, she being the first white child born in the town of Marion. Mr.
Eaton settled in Marion after his marriage and came to Ontario, where he died. His
wife died January 20, 1894. William Eaton was educated in the common schools of
Ontario, and went to Pultneyville to learn the miller's trade with J. B. Craggs, and
worked at Ontario and at Sodus Point. He came to Williamson in 1873, and built the
present mill, and formed a partnership with Thomas Seeley, which continued until
1878, when he entered into partnership with J. A. Eidgeway, which was dissolved in
1880. He has since continued the business alone. He has the full roller process, with
a capacity of fifty barrels per day and grinds about 25,000 to 30,000 bushels of wheat
yearly, and about 20,000 bushels of coarse grain. Mr. Eaton has served as excise com-
missioner, but devotes his energies mainly to his farm. In 1866 he married Eebecca
Jackson, of Williamson, and they have two children : Mary, wife of Alfred J. Paget,
who assists his father-in-law in the mill; and Clarence W., who is at home. Our
subject is a member of the Pultneyville Lodge No. 159, F. & A. M., and he and his
family are members of the M. E. church. Mr. and Mrs. Paget have one daughter,
Gladys.
Young. Dr. Augustus A., was born in the town of Clay, Onondaga county, November
8, 1849. He was educated in the public schools, two years in Cazenovia Seminary, and
in Syracuse University, graduating from the liberal art department in June, 1876, with
the degree of B.S. The same year he entered the medical department of Syracuse
University, graduating June 25, 1879, with the degree of M.S., and immediately began
to practice with much success at Newark. August 18, 1879, he married Sarah E.,
daughter of John M. Carver, of Mallory, Oswego county. They have one adopted
daughter, A. Marguerite, who is a student in the academy. The doctor's father, Peter
J., was born at the old home in 1819. He was educated iu the schools of his day, was
a farmer by occupation, and married Catherine Somers, of Schoharie county, N. Y., by
whom he had two children : Gilbert T., and Augustus A. His grandfather, Jacob V.
Young, was born at Hinesville, Schoharie county, N.Y. He married Isabell McNaughton,
of Onondaga county, and they had four children : Mary, John, Elizabeth, and Peter, jr.
Jacob V. was a soldier in the war of 1812. Dr. Young is a member of the Wayne
County Medical Society, the Central New York Society, also of the New York State
Medical Association, and Fellow of the Academy of Medicine of Syracuse. He is also
a member of the American Microscopical Society. He has contributed articles to
medical and other papers, and is also president of the Pension Examining Board at
Lyons. He is a member of the Newark Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M., also of Newark
Lodge No. 250, I. 0. O. F., and health officer of Newark the past six years.
246 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
Wride, William, was born in Yorkshire, England, whence he came to the United
States in 1S30, and settled in the town of Sodus, on the Lake Road. With him, or
about that time, came his sons, Robert, John, William, jr., and James. Robert, born
in 1803, came to America in 1831 and settled at Perry, N. Y., where he lived until
1835, then removed to the town of Sodus, settling on the Lake Road, then two years
later near the Centenary M. E. Church, where he has since resided. The family were
among the early Methodists of the town, Robert being a leading member of the Cen-
tenary Church, and largely responsible for its erection. John Wride settled at Geneva,
soon after coming to Sodus. James settled in Huron, and became one of the influential
farmers of the town. He was deputy collector of customs for several years at Port
Gibson, and was justice of the peace a number of years. He married Martha Sowerby,
and their children who lived to maturity were : Fletcher, George S., and Alice, now
Mrs. S. S. Granger. After the death of Mr. Wride his widow married William Hew-
son (deceased), of Sodus.
Walch, Edward, was born in Schenectady December 25, 1861, received his higher
education at the Union school, then learned the tinsmith's trade, then entered a boiler
shop and learned the machinist's trade, and afterwards learned blacksmithing. Going
to Paterson, N. J., he entered the Rogers Locomotive Works, and six months later en-
tered the employ of the Danforth & Cook Locomotive Co., still later in the Grant Loco-
motive Works, and then went to New York and entered the employ of Fletcher &
Harrison, in their marine shop. He next went to McNeil's Iron Works in Brooklyn,
and then engaged with the Scranton Locomotive Works. He then obtained a position
in the West Shore shops at East Buffalo, and in 1884 was sent to Newark, one of the
terminal points of the road, in charge of the boiler works at this point, and then was
sent to Buffalo. Two months later he was returned to Newark as general foreman of
the West Shore Engine House here, which position he has filled since. December 27,
1887, he married Lucy M., daughter of Hugh and Mary Crowe, and they have two chil-
dren : Edward, jr., and Maria N. Mr. and Mrs. Walch are members of St. Michael's
Church, and he was first president of the Catholic Benevolent Legion, was its chancellor,
orator and secretary, and represented it at the conventions of Buffalo, Brooklyn, and
New York.
The Whitbeck Family. — The first to settle in Wayne county was Albert Whitbeck,
who came from Kinderhook, Columbia county, about 1824 and settled in Arcadia. His
ancestors came from Holland in an early day and settled on the Hudson. He mar-
ried a Miss Schumerhorn, and their children were James, who settled in Newark where
he died ; Dorcas, who married Jacob Trumper and settled in Arcadia ; Caroline, who
married George Van Housen and settled in Arcadia ; Maria, married William New
and settled in Arcadia; John settled in Arcadia and later removed to Michigan ;
Peter settled in Palmyra and was a farmer; Edward died in Arcadia; Jane married
Henry Cronise and settled in Newark. Andrew A. settled in Sodus in 1834 and was
one of the prominent and influential men of the town. He was at one time supervisor
of the town and was a prominent member of the Sodus M. E. Church, being for many
years one of its trustees. He married first Cynthia K. Whitbeck and their children
were William, George, Cornelius A., Ahda and Edmund. For his second wife he mar-
ried Imogene Filkins, and for his third wife Almira M. Willard, by whom he had four
childred John D., Frank, Carrie and Arthur L. Andrew A. died in 1885.
Welcher, Charles A., was born in Arcadia October 3, 1855, and was educated in the
district, and the Union school and Academy of Newark. His early life was spent on
his father's farm, and he is now one of Newark's enterprising grocery merchants. He
married Jennie E. Garlock of Newark, and they have five children, Fred G., Frank C,
Le Fern, Ernest L. V., and James. Mr. Welcher's father, J. Philester, was born on the
homestead two and one-half miles north of the village of Newark March 13, 1821.
September 22, L845, he married Abigail Lee of Arcadia, by whom he had seven chil-
FAMILY SKETCHES. ■_• | J
dren Alice, Amanda, Rev. Mant'ord P., Valora E., Charles A., as above, Lucy V., and
Byron R., who died, aged fifteen years. Subject's grandfather, John, was born in Nor-
ristown, N. J., in 1790 and came to Phelps, Ontario county, when in his ninth year,
and went to live with Oliver Clark of East Palmyra until he was twenty one years old!
He then took up the land for the homestead from the primeval forest. He married
twice, first Mebetabel Culver, and second Electa Jagger of Batavia, formerly of Long
Island.
White, Patrick S., was born in Syracuse May 6, 1852, where he was educated in the
public schools. He entered the N. Y. C. Railway shops, learned the trade of machinist,
and worked his way through the various grades to locomotive engineer of passenger
train, which position he still holds. He ran the first passenger train out of Newark on
the West Shore Railway in 1884. December 22, 1874, he married Mary Kenny of
Rochester, and they have had four children : Hattie, who died in infancy in Rochester;
Dalros M., who died in Syracuse, aged three years; Florence M., born in Rochester'
and Bertha E., born in Newark. Mr. White's father, Moses, was born in Ireland in
1825. He married Elizabeth Powers and had four children, Patrick, as above, George,
Charles and Elizabeth. He too was a railroad man and came to the United States be-
fore 1852. He died, aged fifty-two, and his wife still survives, living at the old home
in Syracuse. Mr. White is a member of the Catholic Benevolent Legion.
Weinman, Jacob, was born in Rhinefaltz, Germany, September 7, 1832, educated in
their schools and worked at various occupations. May 13, 1859, he married Catherine
Mencner of his native place, and they have had "eight children : Jacob, jr., who is a
farmer in Clifton, Ontario county, and married Emma Fresch of Newark, by whom he
has three children: Carrie M., Carl F. and Ruth E; Philip is a farmer in Phelps, Ontario
county. He married Julia Werner and has one son, John P.; Frederick is a carpenter
and builder in Newark, and married Neilie Fresch; Theresa M. and Julia A. reside at
home ; Elizabeth C. died in infancy ; Lon also died at the age of two years ; and Chris-
tian was killed on the West Shore railroad near his home at the age of fourteen. They
came to the United States in 1871. Mrs. Weinman died in 1885, mourned by a bereaved
husband and family. Mr. Weinman and family are members of the German Evangelical
Church of Newark, and the family have resided on their farm twenty years.
West, George H.; was born about two miles east of Newark, November 19, 1840. He
married twice, first, Mary L. Lee of Newark, by whom he had two children, K. Eudora
and Charles E., who married January 13, 1886, Harriet E. Richmond of Newark, and
has three children : Mary A., Mabel E., and Ada B. Mrs. West died October 16, 1892,
and Mr. West married, second, March 7, 1894, Lizzie S. Yeo, of Phelps, Ontario county.
Mrs. West was born near Le Roy, Genesee county. Mr. West's father, Matthew W.,
was born near Fairville, this town, June 18, 1818, and was a farmer. February 5, 1839,
he married Mary Hughes of this town, formerly of Vermont, and they had five chil-
dren ; George H., as above noted ; S. Maria, Catherine, Emma J. and Lewis G., who
married Effie M. Lake of Marbletown, of the south part of the town of Arcadia. They
have two children Edward W. and Ethel. Mathew W. West died March 4, 1874,
mourned by a bereaved wife and family. His father, Moses, was a soldier in the War
of 1812, and some members of the family were in the late war. Mrs. George H. West's
father was born in Lincolnshire, England, September 28, 1814, and came to the United
States when a young man, locating at Mount Morris, Livingston county. He married
twice, first, Mary Stillson, sister of Judge Norton's wife, by whom he had four children :
Arthur E., Frank S., M. Ella and Lizzie S. Mrs. Yeo died April 12, 1860, and he mar-
ried in 1866 Adaline Knapp. Mr. Yeo died April 25, 1893, and his wife in 1892. The
family resided in Le Roy for a time, also in Phelps, Ontario county, for twenty-eight
years. Mr. West is a member of the official board of the M. E. Church.
Welch, T. B., a native of Rose, was born February 18, 1864, son of William and Mary
248 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
(Powers) Welch, natives of Ireland ; he was born March 25, 1821, and she was born
April 25, 1829. They came to Rose in 1849, where he died May 15, 1883, and his wife
July 15, 1892. He owned seventy acres at his death. Subject was educated in Rose
Union School and Sodus Academy, from which he graduated in 1886. foilowed teaching
two years and then engaged in the hardware business in North Rose in partnership
with his brother, J. J. Welch, born August 29, 1867. He learned the tinner's trade at
the age of eighteen, which he followed in Clyde and Rochester until he formed a part-
nershiy with his brother. They occupy a two story building 56 x 22 feet, and have had
a successful business. S bject was appointed justice of the peace to fill a vacancy of
H. E. Scutt in 1892, and re-elected in 1893. He was postmaster at North Rose in 1888,
and was again appointed December 27, 1893. Mr. Welch married February 10, 1891,
M. Olive Briggs a native of Huron, and daughter of John and Sarah Briggs. They
have had one son, Harold J. W. The firm is known as Welch Bros., and they also own
a farm of eighty-five acres, part of the Sheer farm.
Wilson, Ephraim B., was born in Connecticut, November 12, 1809, son of Jonathan
and Demaris (Wimsil) Wilson, who came to Wayne county when E. B. was about two
years of age, they being pioneers of the county. They resided at various places in the
county and were farmers by occupation. Their last days were spent in Galen, where
Mr. Wilson and his wife died. Our subject was reared on a farm, coming to Rose when
the country was new. He has cleared ninety-five acres and made many improvements,
besides rearing a family of four sons and six daughters, two of the latter now deceased.
He married Celesta Flint of Rose. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are active members of the
Presbyterian Church, and strong temperance advocates. They are also members of the
Clyde Grange.
Whitney, the late William, was born in Ulster county October 15, 1820, and came
to Western New York with his parents when he was eleven years of age. He was
educated in the schools of that day, in Fairport High School and Genesee Wesleyan
Seminary at Lima, N. Y. He was always a farmer. January 24, 1844, he married
Jane Nichols, of Fairport, formerly of Rensselaer county, and they had two children :
Mary E., who married Merian Filkins and had one daughter Jessie, who is a student in
Genesee State Normal School. Mrs. Filkins died May 3, 1879; and Estella M., who
married Robert Mitchell of the town of Huron, formerly of Sodus, March 15, 1893.
Mr. Mitchell runs the farm, and is trustee of the school in his district. Mr. Whitney
died January 4, 1892. The family resided in Fairport, Monroe county, twenty-five
years, and also in Arcadia many years. Mrs. Whitney's father, Elijah Nichols, was
born in Rensselaer county in 1786. He married Marie Filkins, and had the following
children : William, Betsey, Polly, Jane, Elijah, jr., John, Trowbridge, Robert and
Sarah. He died August 22, 1864, and his wife August 9, 1855. Mr. Whitney's father,
Jesse, was born at the old home in Ulster county, and married Emeline Simpkins, by
whom he had six children: William, as above; Loring, Eliza J., Sarah A., Albert and
Mary. He died August 27, 1876, and his wife several years before.
Waters, John, the pioneer of the family in Wayne county, was of German descent,
George Waters, his grandfather, having come from Germany in an early day, and set-
tled at Pine Plains, N. Y. John Waters served in the war of 1812. He came to
Wayne county in 1833 with his sons George, William, Henry and John, and settled in
Sodus, purchasing 300 acres of land near Joy, there being only a small clearing on it
with a log house. John Waters, sr., married Elizabeth Rarrick. The sons were all
farmers, John settled in Sodus, and married Jennie Ireland; George died at Joy on the
homestead. He married Lydia Jaqua; William resides in Newark, and married Abbie
Bishop. Henry Waters went to Albany in 1845 and studied law for a time, but
abandoning that he engaged in the drover business, and for many years was an exten-
sive dealer, buying and shipping to New York markets. In 1864 he purchased a farm
west of Joy near the the town line, and has since been engaged in farming. He served
FAMILY SKETCHES. 249
one term as justice of the peace. Although never admitted to the bar, he practiced suc-
cessfully injustice court for many years. He married Margaret Murphy, and their
children are: Josephine (Mrs. John Crosby) and Lillian, (Mrs. John Constantabouver).
Van Slyck, Charles, was born in Sodus in 1859, and is a son of James, whose father,
Isaac Van Slyck, was the pioneer of the family in this county. The latter married
first Elizabeth Van Duzer, and their children were: Peter, James, John, William, Mar-
garet, Sophronia, and Hannah. He married second Hannah Bain. Of his children,
John settled near Albany, where he died ; William moved to Coldwater, Mich.; Mar-
garet, married Wesley Wilbur and settled at Palmyra ; Sophronia married Hugh Wil-
son, and settled at Sodus; Hannah married Darius Kettle, and moved to Coldwater,
Mich.; James Van Slyck spent his life in Sodus, and was a farmer. He was a man of
quiet tastes, and never sought political honors. He married Olive Ellrington, and their
children were: Nellie E. (Mrs. E. J. Harvey), of Coldwater, Mich.; Mary H.; Carrie A.,
who married James Handy, of Sodus; and Charles D., a farmer on the old homestead.
He is a Democrat, and a member of Sodus Grange. His wife was Miss Eva C. Stickney.
Van Tassel, Philip, was born in the town of Austerlitz, Columbia county, May 27,
1820, and at the age of seven years was thrown on his own resources. He followed
farming ten years, and was a hotel keeper for the same period, also following droving
and speculating several years. October 14, 1839, he married Catharine Messenger, of
Washington, Mass., by whom he had six sons: William H., George W., Thomas M.,
John E., Francis and Philip. William H. was elected sheriff of Columbia county ;
George W. was killed by a horse falling on him. Thomas M. died young. John E.
resides in Sullivan county. Francis married Cora Wood, and lives in Newark. Philip
married Flora Tillottson, who died, leaving four children. He resides on the home
farm. This family came to reside in this town in 1865, and Mr. Van Tassel retired
from active business in 1888, and has since resided in the village. William, father of
our subject, was born in Hillsdale, Columbia county, in 1788, and married Catharine
Holsapple, of his native place, by whom he had seven childien : Maria, Martin, Fred-
erick, William, Philip, Harriet, and Sarah. Mr. Van Tassel died in 1834, and his wife
in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Van Tassel are members of the M. E. Church, of which he is
steward.
Vosburgh, William, son of Jacob, came from Dutchess county about 1845, and set-
tled in the northeast corner of Sodus on the lake road, purchasing a farm of 250 acres,
and was an extensive farmer. He married first Henrietta Trumper and second Eliza-
beth Trowbridge, and their children were : Jacob, Anna E., Margaret, Sarah C, Mary
E., Eunice, who died in infancy, Emma and Antoinette. Anna E. married Robert Wat-
son ; Margaret married Thomas Youmans; Sarah C. married Wesley T. Jolly; Mary
E. married Rowland Smith; Antoinette married Henry Toor; Jacob settled on the
homestead and is a farmer. He taught school for several years during the winter. He
married Catherine Youmans of Sodus, and they have five children : William, Edith A.,
Wesley, Henrietta and George Y.
Vosburg, Rev. Robert T., was born in Milwaukee. Wis., April 19, 1868. When a
child, his father, who was a minister, received a call to preach in New York city. Mr.
Vosburg was educated in the common schools of Rochester, five years in Wagner
College in that city and three years in the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary
at Mount Airy, Philadelphia, from which he graduated in 1892 and began to preach in
Newark July 1, 1892, in Zion Lutheran church. May 17, 1893, he married Salome
Hungerer, of Lyons, and they have one daughter, Magdalene E. Mr. Vosburg's father,
George, was born in Madgeburg, Germany, August 26, 1835. He was educated at
Madgeburg Gymnasium, studied at Friedrechs University, at Hall Wurtenburg, also at
the University of Tuebingen, and completed his theological studies at the University of
Erlangerin in March, 1860, and taught at a ladies' seminary two years. In 1863 he was
■ ff
250 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
sent to the United States as a missionary, locating and preaching in many places in
Wisconsin. In February, 1867, he married Emily, daughter of Rev. George Kinne,
of Rochester, and they had three sons: Robert T., George, and Gustave. He died
and his widow now resides in Rochester.
Van Marter, David, father of Mrs. William J. Holland, was born in Arcadia April 19,
1819, was educated in the public schools, and in early life was a cooper, later taking
up farming. October 30, 1853, he married Elizabeth J. Baldwin, of Lyons, by whom he
had two children: Mary, who died in her ninth year, and Jennie M. Mr. Van Master
died February 4, 1881, and his wife died September 20, 1889. Jennie M. married,
September 16, 1890, William J. Holland, of Fairville, and they have two children:
Viola M., and D. Cole. The family are nicely situated on the Van Marter homestead.
Mr. Holland's father, Thomas, was born about 1836, in England, and married Mary S.
West, of Michigan, formerly of England. Their six children were: Mary A., William
James, Sarah S., Helen D. A., who died young, Henry K., and Emma J. Both parents
reside in Fairville.
Van Dusen, Richard, was born in Marion, Wayne county, was educated in the com-
mon school and has taught school fifteen years, three of which he taught in the Union
School of Palmyra. For the past thirteen years he has been conducting a fruit farm
near Marbletown. August 10, 1886, he married Elizabeth Reutchler, of East Newark,
and they have one daughter, Mary E., who is a student. Mr. Van Dusen's father,
Hiram, was born in Berkshire county, Mass., June 27. 1799. The family moved to
Columbia county when he was a boy, where he was educated in the schools of his day.
June 30, 1816, he married Maria Crandall, of his native county, and they had eleven
children : Maria, Hannah, William, Henry J., Lucinda, Catherine, John EL, Margaret,
Stephen, Hannah, 2d, and Richard. Mr. Van Dusen died hi 1866, and his wife April
17, 1850. Subject's grandfather, William, was born September 6, 1772. He married
Hannah Spencer and had seven children. Mrs. Richard Van Dusen's father, John
Reutschler, was born in Germany. He married Mary Schwartz, of his native place,
and came to the United States, locating in East Newark. They had seven children.
Mr. Van Dusen was elected assessor in 1892 and is trustee of the district school. He
is also a member of Newark Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M., and is a member of the
Knights of Honor.
Thurston, Albert L., was born in St. Lawrence county October 10, 1848, and was
educated in the district schools. He has been in the employ of the West Shore Rail-
road Company three years as brakeman and conductor, and has been cooper and
engineer. December 25, 1873, he married Susan Hildrith, and they have had six chil-
dren : Warren, Jesse G., Albert, Arvilla M., Frank L., and George R., who died aged
twenty-two years. Mr. Thurston's father, Daniel, was born at the old home in 1822.
He was educated in the schools of his day, and was a cooper by trade. He married
Sarah Herriman, of his native country, and they have two children : Albert L, as
above, and Harriet A. Mr. Thurston come to reside with his son in 1892. He en-
listed in Company G, 106th Inf., N. Y. S. Vols., was wounded, and honorably dis-
charged June 22, 1865. He was a member of Vosburg Post No. 99, G. A. R., depart-
ment of New York, and died October 19, 1892. Mr. Thurston is engineer in the
electric light and water works at Newark, and his son, Warren, is one of the assistants.
Mr. Thurston is a member of Newark Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M., Newark Chapter No.
117, R. A. M., Zenobia Commandery No. 41, K. T., and of N. A. S. E. No. 43.
Thompson, S. P., was born in Rose, April 26, 1845, son of Robert R. and Elizabeth
(Fulton) Thompson, he a native of Saratoga, born in 1821, and she of Sodus. The
paternal grandfather of subject was Ezekiel, who came to Huron, being one of the first
settlers and afterwards on the farm where our subject now resides, where he died. He
was in the war of 1812. The father of subject was a farmer, owned fifty acres of land,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 251
and died in 1889. Our subject was reared on a farm, and at the age of fifteen enlisted
in Company C, 8th N. Y. Cavalry, and served four years, and nine months in Anderson-
ville. He was with the 8th Cavalry in every engagement, until he was captured twenty
miles south of Richmond, at Stony Creek, June 29, 1864. He was in the regiment who
fired the first shot at Gettysburg. At the close of the war he returned to Rose, and
except five years on the Erie Canal, where he owned a boat and followed boating., has
resided in Rose. He is a farmer, has followed threshing twenty years, and now owns
fifty acres in Rose and one hundred acres in Sodus. Mr. Thompson has been highway
commissioner six years. He is a member of John Sherman Post No. 401. He married
Emily Burns, a native of Rose, and daughter of William and Jane Burns, early settlers
in the town, where they died. Mr. Thompson and wife have two sons, James P., and
Robert L., at home.
Toor, Charles H., was born in Sodus, January 18, 1845, and is a son of John Toor,
who came from England about 1830, and settled in Gorham, Ontario county, where he
lived until 1839, when he removed to Sodus, purchasing a farm in the northwest part of
the town and was a successful farmer. He was a leading member of the Centenary
M. E. church of Sodus. He married Sarah Box, and their children were: Sarah A.,
George, Thomas, Charles H., and William. Charles H. settled in Sodus and is a thrifty
farmer. For many years he taught school during the winter. He is a member of Sodus
Grange. He married in 1872 Mary Wilkes, and their children were: Frank W. and
Mary A. Mrs. Toor died in 1882, and in 1884 he married Lizzie Welburn, and they
have one son, George C.
Turner, Nathan M., was born in Sodus in 1855, and is a son of Benjamin Turner, who
came from Yorkshire, England, in 1849, and settled in Lyons, and in the spring of 1850
purchased the farm of Jesse H. Green northwest of Sodus village, where he spent the
remainder of his life. He died in January, 1877. He was an enterprising and thrifty
farmer and acquired a compe'ence. He married Ann Watson, and their children were :
Ann, who married John Toor, of Sodas ; Joseph, who settled in Northern Michigan,
where he died in 1875 ; Elizabeth, who married George Toor ; William, who settled in
Sodus. He married Emma C. Baldwin ; Mary, who married Thomas Toor (deceased);
Rachel, who married Richard Toor ; Stephen G., who resides in Sodus ; Nathan M.,
who resides on the homestead and is a farmer. He is a strong Democrat, and in 1894
was the candidate of his party for supervisor. He married in 1885 Eliza L. Briggs, of
Huron, N. Y., and their children are: Sarah, Isabel (deceased); Benjamin B., Hazel A.,
and Bessie 0.
Tiffany, George W., was born at Green River, Columbia county, February 18, 1844,
and came to Ontario county with his parents when he was three years of age. He was
educated in the public schools and has always followed farming. He has also had
charge of and settled several estates. January 24, 1868, he married Theresa Coons, of
the town of Arcadia, and they have one daughter, Iva T., who is a student. Mr.
Tiffany's father, Lamont, was born at Austerlitz, Columbia county, in 1808, and married
Sophia Clark, of that county. They had ten children : Charles L., Jane, Esther M.,
George W., as noted, Edward D., Louis R., Florence A., Sophia E., Millie E., and AnnaB.
He died in 1869, and his wife May 4, 1877. Mrs. Tiffany's father. Alexander Coons,
was born at Red Hook, Dutchess county, July 4, 1812. He was educated in the schools
of his day, and always followed farming. April 10, 1845, he married Deborah E.
Ackley, of Newark, formerly of Sing Sing, Westchester county. They had two
children, one who died in infancy, and Theresa, as above. The family came to Newark
in November, 1849. He died in 1887, and his widow resides with her daughter, Mrs.
Tiffany. Mr. Tiffany is a member of Newark Grange.
Sherman, the late Levi, was born in Rensselaer county, February 19, 1819. He was
educated in the common schools, and was a farmer by occupation. February 3, 1841,
252 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
he married Angeline, daughter of James and Hannah (Gifford) Aikin of his native
county. She was born April 15, 181G. They had three children : Deborah G., Justus
H. A , and Hannah J. Deborah G. married Sidney Murphy of Washington county,
and they have five sons : Clarence B., Pardon C, William E., and Myron E. Justus
H. A. married Hattie Doolittle of that county, and they had seven children: Minnie A.,
Levi W., Myrtle, Mabel, Ina, Gracie and Edward. Hannah J. married Andrew Pratt
of Washington county, and they had five children : Gracie, George L., Ira J., Angie and
Eva. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman came to Newark from Washington county in 1864. Mr.
Sherman died December 20, 1887. Mrs. Sherman's father, James Aikin, was born at the
old home in 1702. He was educated in the schools of his day, and was a farmer and
lumber merchant. He married Hannah Gifford of his own county, and they had fifteen
children : Angeline, Justus, Elihu G., James, Nathaniel, Lafayette, Gifford, Sarah C,
Patience, Elizabeth, Abigail H., Deborah and Louisa. He died in 1848, and his wife in
1881. Mrs. Sherman is a bright active business lady. The family is of the Friends de-
nomination.
Stuart, John E., was born in Greene county, N. Y., August 6, 1843. The family at
an early day moved to Syracuse, N. Y., where our subject was educated in the high
school. He then iearned the jeweler and watch trade, and came to Newark in 1864.
Hs followed the jeweler's trade twenty years, doing a vtry prosperous trade here. He
was in company with his brother, Charles W., in the nursery business several years.
He erected the building Mr. Robinson now occupies and carried on the business until
1880. In 1884 the Stuart Manufacturing Co. was organized to manufacture advertising
specialties. This factory was burned in 1886. Mr. Stuart has devoted his time to sev-
eral inventions, many of which are manufactured in Syracuse. He is serving his second
term as president of Newark village, being elected in January, 1894. June 7, 1871, he
married Sarah E. Reed of Newark, and they had three children : Harvey R., Am ie R.,
and Marguerite, all students in the Union School Academy here.
Soverhill, the late Charles W., was born in the town of Arcadia September 7, 1840.
His education was obtained in the common schools, and he finished at the High school
of Clifton Springs, afterwards taking up farming. November 20, 1862, he married
Jennie Turnbull, and had by her two children : Robert M. and K. Isabel, both of whom
reside at home. In the spring of 1861 Mr. Soverhill enlisted in the 17th Inf., N.Y.
Yols., and was honorably discharged for disability in September, 1861. He died April
20, 1892, deeply mourned by family and friends. Mrs. Soverhill's father, Robert Turn-
bull, was born near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1797 and came to this country in 1801, first
locating on the Hudson River. He married Catherine Morrison, of Hudson. After
living in Montgomery county five years they came to Arcadia, then to Lyons. Their six
children were James, Eleanor. Mary E., William M., Gertrude A., and L. Jennie.
Mr. Turnbull died September 18, 1889, and his wife in 1880. The ancestry of this
family is Scotch on both sides.
Sauer, Martin, was born in Germany near Bingen on the Rhine, came to America in
1834, and settled in the south part of Sudus. Two brothers, Christopher and John,
came about the same time, all settling in the same part of the town. Christopher re-
moved to Illinois about 1860. John Sauer purchased a large farm and was one of the
prosperous farmers of the town. He married Eva Lang, and their children were John,
Henry J., Christiana, Mary and George, all of whom reside in Sodus. Martin Sauer
purchased a large tract of land, and by industry has become one of the most prominent
and wealthy farmers in the town. He married Caroline Lang, and their children are
Henry, who settled in Arcadia and is a farmer. He married Mary Sauer; Caroline,
who married Nicholas Espenschied, of Sodus; Barbara; William, Jacob and Charles of
Sodus; Catherine, who married Adam Fry, of East Palmyra, and Margaret, who mar-
ried Asa F. Andrews, of Joy.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 253
Spear, Mahlon, was born in Phelps, Ontario county, in 1845, a son of William, whose
father, William, was a pioneer of Wayne county. He came from New England as
early as 1808, settled in Arcadia and was a farmer. He married Rachel Cook, and they
had one son William, jr. He settled in Phelps but in 1853 settled in the south part of
Sodus, and was one of the most successful and prosperous farmers in the town. He
married Louise Lewis and they had one son, Mahlon, our subject. He settled on the
homestead, and is one of the most prominent and extensive farmers of the town. He
is a member of Sodus Lodge No. 392 F. & A. M., Sodus Chapter and Zenobia Com-
mandary. He married in 1884 Frances A. Olmstead, and they have two children, Helen
M. and Louise F.
Snyder, Henry J., was the first of the family to settle in Wayne county, coming from
Columbia county about 1845, and settling in the south part of Sodus. He married
Elizabeth Miller, and their children were Harmon J., who settled in Illinois, and after-
ward in Texas ; Leonard lived and died in Sodus. He served through the Civil War ;
Samuel died in early manhood ; Catherine, who married Freeman Hawver and settled
in Marion; Sarah married Joseph Breggsand settled in Michigan; Lydia married John
Simmons and settled in Illinois; Jane married Andrew French and settled in South
Dakota; Mary marrie I Horace Gilbert, and settled in Marion. Jacob M. Snyder for
many years during his early life was engaged in teaching, later engaged in farming which
he followed the remainder of his life. He married Julia A. Miller, and they had three
children : Charles, who died in infancy ; Frank M., who settled on the homestead and
is engaged in farming. He married Helen Sauer; Leslie M. was a school teacher for
several years and then engaged in farming, purchasing a farm southwest of Sodus vil-
lage. He is a member of Sodus Grange. He married Nettie D., daughter of William
H. Tincklepaugh of Sodus, and they have one son, Kenneth E. Jacob M. Snyder died
in 1892.
Smith, Daniel P., was born on the old homestead in the southwest part of Arcadia
November 23, 1842. He was educated in the district schools and the Union School and
Academy of Newark, and has always followed farming. November 15, 1876, he mar-
ried Emma L. Fisk of this town, and they had two children William P., born Septem-
ber 9, 1878, and Leslie E., born May 25, 1887. Mrs. Smith was born September 26,
1849, and died July 4, 1891, mourned by a bereaved husband and children. Mr. Smith's
father, Daniel, was born in Nassau, Rensselaer county March 18, 1802. September 23,
1836, he married Deborah Vary of his native county, born October 9, 1809, and settled
here the same year. They have had two children, Esther S. and Daniel P. He died
April 7, 1874, and his wife March 3, 1887. Shis family located here fifty-eight years
ago. Mr. Smith's grandfather, Conradt Smith, was one of the earliest settlers in the
State. The ancestry of the family is German and Welsh.
Sherman, Charles B., born in Phelps, Ontario county, December 21, 1804, was a son of
John and Chloe (Dickenson) Sherman, natives of Massachusetts who were early set-
tlers of Phelps, and came to Rose Valley in an early day where they died. Mr. Sher-
man served in the Revolutionary War. Father of subject was a child when he came to
Rose. He was a farmer and at his death owned 111 acres, where the family now re-
side, and the farm is now carried on by Ezra A. Sherman. His first wife was Lucinda
Allen, by whom he had five sons and one daughter. His second wife was Charlotte
Tyler, a native of Oneida county and daughter of Chester and Harriet Strong ; he was
a native of Bridgeport, Conn. They came to Oneida in an early day where Mr. Tyler
died, and his wife died in Hannibalville. Mr. Sherman and second wife had three chil-
dren : Chester, who married Harriet Kimberly of Auburn, by whom he has one daugh-
ter, Marion C. He was educated in Auburn Academy and Rochester Business College,
from which he graduated May 9, 1885. He is now clerk of the revision of the pensions
at Washington, D. C, resigning the office of assessor of Rose when he received the ap-
pointment; Ezra A., born in Rose January 7, 1866, and educated at the Union Schools
254 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
of Rose. He is a farmer and makes a specialty of breeding Hambletonian horses, and
at present owns Ezra A., who has a record of 232 -J-. Mr. Sherman has been town
clerk one term ; and HattieE., wife of Manley G. Fowler of Rochester.
Snyder, Eli, was born in Sodus in 1831, and is a son of Peter and grandson of John
Snyder, of Montgomery county. Peter came from Columbia county to Oswego about
1820, and about 1824 purchased a farm in the southwest part of Sodus, where he re-
moved. He was a prominent member of the Christian church of Marion. In 1874 he
settled in that village, where he died in 1881. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John
Beam, one of the early settlers of Sodus, and their children were: Peter, jr., George,
Eli, Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth, Ann, and Mahala. Peter settled in Sodus and later in
Palmyra, where he died. He married Jane Welcher; George settled in Marion, and
married Hannah Covey ; Sarah married Isaac Stone ; Mary married Abijah White ;
Elizabeth married Sylvester Campbell ; Ann married Mark Johnson ; Mahala married
Lorenzo French. Eli Snyder has always lived in Sodus and is an enterprising farmer.
He is a member of Sodus Grange and the Christian church of Marion. He married
Louisa Adams, of Marion, and they have one son, Frank E., of Newark, who married
Lizzie Bowen.
Snyder, George, was born in Sodus in 1829, son of Samuel, who was a son of John
Snyder, a resident of Montgomery county. His ancestors came from Germany. Samuel
and Peter, sons of John, came to Sodus about 1824, and took up farms in the southwest
part of the town. Benjamin, another brother, settled in Sodus in 1855, where he died.
He married Betsey Lovell. Two sons survive him, John Snyder, of Joy, and Esmond,
of Williamson. Peter married Betsey Beam. Samuel Snyder married Mary Borden,
by whom he had eight children : Emeline, Ann, Eliza, Stephen B., George, Charles,
Albert, and Edward. Emeline married Orvilla Carpenter, of Sodus ; Ann married
Horace Dennison and settled in Michigan ; Eliza married Henry Husted and settled in
Michigan ; Stephen B. settled first in Sodus and afterward in Marion. He married
Celia Welcher ; Charles settled in Sodus, removing later to Michigan, where he died ;
Albeit and Edward both settled in Michigan. George Snyder has always lived in
Sodus, and follows farming. He is a member of Sodus Grange. He married Mary
Briggs, and their children are: Mattie (Mrs. Samuel Thorn, of Syracuse) and Irving J.,
of Marion.
Snow, Lorenzo M., a native of Hamilton, Madison county, was born October 29,
1828, son of Nathan and Hannah (Groves) Snow, he a native of Plainfield, Mass., born
May 26, 1790, and she of Whitesboro, Oneida county, born February 13, 1791. Abijah
Snow, grandfather of subject, was a pioneer of Hamilton, settling there in 1802. He
was a blacksmith by trade and owned a farm of 120 acres, which was afterward owned
and improved by his son. Nathan. Nathan Snow was a farmer of Hamilton, where he
lived, and died July 17, 1852. and his wife February 20, 1875. Mr. Snow was a very
active member and liberal contributor to the Congregational church. Lorenzo M. was
reared on the farm and has always followed farming. He purchased the old homestead,
where he remained till 1855, when he came to Rose and bought the farm he now owns
of 256 acres, 160 of which he has cleared. Mr. Snow has erected a fine large dwelling
and excellent out-houses. His specialty is thoroughbred Jersey cattle and Hambletonian
horses. September 1, 1858, he married Harriet L., daughter of Norman Sexton and
Sarah A. (Crofford) Sexton, of Smyrna, Chenango county. Mr. Sexton was a native of
Milford, Conn., and Mrs. Sexton of Johnstown, N. Y. He was a farmer at Smyrna, and
the grandfather, Elijah, was a pioneer of the county. Norman Sexton died in January,
1874, and his wife, who spent her last days with Mr. and Mrs. Snow, died June 8,
1885.
See, Myron, was born on the homestead near Fairville, May 31, 1843, was educated
in the district schools and was a carpenter by occupation until the accidental death of
FAMILY SKETCHES.
his brother, September 9, 1867, when he became a farmer in the place of his brother.
He married twice, first in 1861, Emily F. Warfield, of this town, by whom he had one
daughter, Minnie L., who married Edward H. Schwab, of this town, and they have one
daughter, Mary E. Mrs. See died in 1865, and he married second, September 29, 1868,
Adelaide Southworth, of Manchester, Ontario county. They have one daughter, Eva B.,
residing at home. Mr. See's father, John, was born in Rensselaer county, December 1
1799, and left home when young. He married twice, first, Eve Turner, and had seven
children, three of whom are deceased; Marvin, Jerome, Myron, and Mary A., now Mrs.
Riggs. of Lockport. Mrs. See died March 2, 1874, and he married second, Maria
Roberts, of Palmyra. He died April 22, 1883, his wife survives. Mrs. See's father,
George W. Soverhill, was born in Dutchess county in 1814, and came to Purington,
Monroe county, with his parents when a boy. He married Sarah McNutt, of Ontario,
and they had four children : Eleanor, Adelaide, Lucy, and Mary. He had married
previously to Arabella Counant, and had one daughter, Laura. Mr. Southworth still
survives, aged eighty years.
Sentell, Edward W., the first of the family in Wayne county, was born June 25, 1806,
and was a native of Nova Scotia. About 1822 he came to Geneva and became a con-
tractor and builder. About 1828, with a Mr. Barclay, he secured the contract for the
building of the first pier constructed at Sodus Point. Later he purchased the Loomis
property at Maxwell's Mill, including a farm, saw mill, and grist mill, and removed
there. He carried on the milling business until 1855. He was enterprising and public
spirited, and was identified with the best interests of the town. In 1857 he was a
member of the General Assembly. He was a prominent member of the Sodus M. E.
church for over forty years. He was railroad commissioner from the building of the
Sodus Point and Southern Railroad until his death, September 19, 1892. He was for
many years a prominent member and officer of the State militia. He married, in 1830,
Deborah, daughter of Samuel Harvey, and their children were: Sarah A., who died in
childhood; William H., Edward H, Catherine L., Charles M., Jennie D., Mary A., and
John C, who died in early manhood. William H. enlisted in 1861 in the 44th N. Y.
Infantry. In 1862 he was transferred to the 160th N. Y. Infantry, with the rank of
major, and served until the fall of 1864, when he resigned. He died in Sodus in 1888,
unmarried. Catherine L. married Abraham B. Gibbs, of Sodus ; Jennie D. married
Hiram West and settled at Groton, S. D.: Mary married Charles Terpning, of New
York; Charles M. enlisted in 1862 in the 11th N. Y. Infantry, and served till the close
of the war. He is a member of Dwight Post, G. A. R., of Sodus and was a charter
member of Sodus Lodge, 1.0. 0. F. He has been collector and highway commissioner
of the town. He married Jennie Hewson, of Sodus, and their children are : Jennie
D. and William E. Edward H. Sentell enlisted in 1862 in the 160th N. Y. Infantry
as second lieutenant and was promoted to first lieutenant. He was wounded at the
battle of Cedar Creek October 19, 1864, and was mustered out April 5, 1865. From
1868 to 1872 he was engaged in the produce busines. In the latter year he settled
at Sodus Point and built a planing mill and dock, and for several years carried on
that business. Selling out this business he built a warehouse and a fruit evaporator,
and engaged in the produce business and coal and lumber. In 1876 he engaged in
the mercantile trade, which he has since carried on. He takes an active part in party
affairs, and was elected supervisor in 1890-91. He is a member of Dwight Post,
G. A. R. He married Fannie, daughter of John Preston, of Sodus, and they have
one daughter, Mary.
Seymour, Morris J., was born in Sodus, on the farm he now occupies, Decembea
24, 1840, a son of Orson, born in 1801, who is a son of Ebenezer, who came from
Pompey, Onondaga county, about 1808 and settled at Palmyra. They removed to
Williamson and soon after to the town of Sodus. Ebenezer married Jemima Wilbur,
and their children were: Va'da, Sidney (deceased), Orson, who died in 1875; Delmar,
256 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Harland, Morris (deceased), Orlando, Jennette, Mary A., and Therese. Morris J.
Seymour resides on the homestead and is a farmer. In 1862 lie enlisted in the 160th
N.Y. Infantry and served until the close of the war. He was wounded at the battle
of Winchester. He is a member of Dwight Post, G-. A. R., of Sodus, and is president
of the Republican Club of Sodus. He married, in 1870, Hannah Burt, of Washington
county.
Schaich, George, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, November 16, 1859, where he
was educated, and learned the business of nurseryman and gardener at what we would
call the experiment station, at Hohenheim, Germany, from which he received a cer-
tificate of efficiency, the highest in the class of thirty six. He came to the United
States September 13, 1883, locating in Rochester, where he served Elwanger & Barry
eight years. January 1, 1891, he came to the State Custodial Asylum, where he
occupies the position of gardener and florist Since he came here he has made much
improvement, especially in landscape gardening. May 21, 1885, he married Jennie E.
Hess, a native of Germany, and they have had two children: Emily, who died aged
eight months, and George, born May 4, 1888. William, father of our subject, was
born at the old home in Germany in 1832 and married Catrina Haussler, of his native
place. Their children were: George, Barbara, Catrina, Mary, and two who died
young. Conrad Hess, father of Mrs. Schaich, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany,
about 1826, and married Rose Hoss, of the same place. They have had seven chil-
dren : Mary, Jenny, Gotlieb, Charles, Caroline, and two who died young. Both parents
are dead.
Schwartz Franklin, was born in Mecklenburg Germany, October 5, 1834, and came
with his parents to the United States when he was eighteen years old, locating in the
town of Arcadia. February 27, 1858, he married Dora Hyman formerly of Germany,
and they had ten children: Charles J., born December 6, 1858; Louisa, born April 14,
1862 ; Dora K.. born October 11, 1864 ; Emma H, born October 31, 1866; Frances D.,
born October 27, 1868 ; Henry F., born September 23, 1870; William J., born October
7, 1872; Carrie H., born April 20, 1875; Maude L., born September 20, 1877; and
Frederick W., born May 22, 1880. Mrs. Schwartz's father, John Hyman, was born in
Hanover, Germany, in 1794 He married Dora Frol of his native place, and they had
six children : Henry, John, Christopher, William, Charles and Dora. Mr. Hyman died
in 1857, and his wife October 2, 1874. Mr. Schwartz ha* resided in his present home
since 1865.
Schwartz, Charles J., was born in Arcadia December 6, 1858, was educated in the
common schools, and has always been a farmer. He was elected road commissioner in
1891, and re-elected in 1893. February 17, 1881, he married Louisa Lux of this town,
and they have two daughters: Grace M. and Luwella. Mrs. Schwartz's father, George
Lux, was born in Alsace, Germany, in 1816 and came to the United States when a young
man, locating in Clyde. In October, 1844, he married Catherine Lape, who was born
in Paltz, Germany, and they had three children : J. George, Philip H, and Louise.
They have resided on this farm since 1865. Mr. Lux died in 1875, mourned by a
bereaved wife and children. Mr. Schwartz is salesman and agent for mowers and
reapers.
Rupert, Conrad, was born in Hessia, Germany, August 10, 1838. He was educated
in their public schools and academy, and began college work. He came with his
parents to the United States and located in Albany. November 18, 1862, he enlisted
in Co. K, 177th Inf., N. Y. S. Vols., was honorably discharged September 10, 1863. He
then went to New Jersey and bought a farm in Somerset county. March 15, 1866, he
married Anna M., daughter of George W. Barclow of that county, and they had four
children : Henry L., William B., George O, and Edith M. Henry L. is an attorney-at-
law and notary, public, and married Effe, daughter of Henry V. D. Garrison of Naw
FAMILY SKETCHES. 257
Jersey. They have two children : Anna M., and Stephen E. William B. is a book-
keeper in Kinney & Garrison's manufactory of sash, doors, blinds, etc. ; George C.
resides at home assisting his father ; Edith M. is a student at the academy. Mr. Rupert
came to East Newark in the spring of 1886, purchased property here, and is doing a
fine business in produce and coal. His father, Henry, was born at the old home in
Germany in 1806, married Catherine Stone and had four children : Conrad, Henry,
Anna and Kate. He is a member of Newark Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M., also of the
A. O. U. W., No. 116 and of the K. 0. T. M., No. 115, and of Vosburg Post No. 99,
G. A. R., Department of New York. He is a Democrat.
Robinson, Calib R., was born in Fairville, October 19, 1840. He was educated in the
district schools there and completed his education in the union school and academy at
Newark in 1860. For twenty years he taught school winters and worked on a farm in
the summer. March 10, 1864 he married Mary Sayles and to them was born one son,
Charles E., who is now postal clerk on the route from Buffalo to Albany. Mr. Robin-
son came to reside in Newark in 1885 and has been baggage master at the West Shore
R. R. station ever since. He is a member of the Knights of Maccabees. Mr. Robinson's
father, George E. Robinson, was born in Massachusetts in 1813, and came here with his
parents in 1816. His occupation was farming. He married Sarah Yan Ostrand and
they were the parents of six children : Calib R., as above mentioned ; George N., who
died at thirteen years; Manly S. who died aged seven; Abram and a baby girl who
diee in infancy (twins) ; and Douglas H. He retired from farming in 1857 and was
elected justice of the peace holding that office for twenty years. After the death of his
wife in 1888, he left Fairville and eame to Newark to reside. He died in 1890. Mr.
Robinson's grandfather, Calib Robinson, was one of the old pioneers of the town, cutting
a road through the woods from Newark to Fairville in 1816.
Richards, Sidney S., was born in the town of Harrisburgh, Lewis county, May 8,
1839. He was reared on a farm and educated in district schools. He learned the art
of photography, and at the age of twenty-one he moved to Bellville, in Jefferson
county. In 1862, he enlisted in Company A, 10th Heavy Artillery, N. Y. Volunteers, and
was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He then located in Carthage, and
then in various places until 1880, when he came to Newark. Here he followed his
chosen profession and purchased the gallery of A. F. Brooks. In 1866 he was married
to Louisa Sanders of Carthage, and they have two daughters, viz.: Mary A. and Alice
E. Mary A. was educated in the Holyoke College, Massachusetts, and is now a
teacher in the Academy of Newark. Alice E. married Lewis C. Sanford of Newark, a
traveling salesman. Mr. Richards' father, David Richards, was born in 1804. He
married Eliza D. Stoddard of Lewis county, and the following children were born to
them : Edward J., Sidney S. (above noted), and Adelia C. He is dead, but his wife is
still living. Mr. Sidney Richards is an honored member of the Vosburg Post, No. 99,
G. A. R., Department of New York, and has held the the position of commander and
quartermaster. He and family are members of the First Baptist Church here, Mr.
Richard also being deacon of that church.
Ream, Fred, was born in Strausburg, Germany, January 4, 1840. He is a son of
Peter and Lena (Strang) Ream, natives of Germany, who emigrated to America in
1849 and settled near Lyons. From there he removed to Rose, and finally settled in
Rochester, where he died in 1891. His wife still survives and resides with her daugh-
ter, Mrs. I, Boyce. The maternal grandfather, George Strang, was a prominent man
of Lemberg, Germany, and was treasurer and county clerk under Napoleon during the
French Revolution. Our subject has always followed farming. He now owns 100
acres, and carries on general farming. In 1867 he married Lena, daughter of Squire
Mitchell of Rose, by whom he has two daughters : Allie F. and Edie M. Mr. Ream
has held the office of commissioner and collector, and at present is elected justice of the
258 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
peace. He is a member of Clyde Grange, and they attend and support the M. E.
Church.
Riggs, Prine, was born in Sodus in 1841, son of John, whose father, John, sr., was
one of the early settlers of Wayne county. His children were Prine. John, Lydia,
William, Phineas, Aaron, Joseph and Delila. Prine Riggs settled in Sodus, where he
died. He married Eliza King. Lydia married Fred Dennis; William settled in Sodus
and afterwards in Rose ; Phineas settled in Sodus Center, where he died ;
Aaron settled in Galen ; Delila married Marshall Braman and settled in Michigan.
John Riggs settled in the south part of Sodus and was a farmer. He married Lavina
Lane, and their children were: Lavina L., who married Ira Penoyer; John B., who
settled in Illinois, entered the army on the opening of the Rebellion, and died in the
service; Levi, who settled in the southwest and engaged in railroading; Rensselaer,
who settled in Illinois. Prine Riggs is one of the enterprising farmers of the town.
In 1861 he enlisted in the Union Army, and served until the close of the war. After
the war he spent several years in Illinois. In 1893 Mr. Riggs was elected commissioner
of highways, is a member of Sodus Lodge, No. 392, F. & A. M., and Sodus Grange.
He married Eliza Shaw, and they have two sons : Lyman W. and Bert P.
Reynolds, Frank L., was born at Sodus Center in 1859, and is a son of Lewis, whose
father was Nehemiah Reynolds. He came from Argyle, Washington county, with
Thomas Reynolds, his father, in 1806 and settled in the town of Lyons. Nehemiah
Reynolds was a large and prosperous farmer. With Dr. Elisha Mather he purchased
the grist and saw mill at Sodus Center, and for many years carried on that business.
Upon the loss of the property by fire he purchased the site and rebuilt the present mill,
which subsequently became the property of his son Lewis, who continued the business
for many years. Nehemiah married Sarah Rogers, and their children were Sally, Clark,
Cynthia, Lewis, George, Nehemiah, Eli and Polly. Sally married Horace Brown of
Lyons ; Clark settled in Lyons ; Cynthia married John Merchant of Lyons ; George
settled in Michigan ; Nehemiah settled in Lyons and was a farmer ; Eli settled in Sodus
and is a farmer; Polly is deceased. Lewis Reynolds settled at Sodus- Center, where he
died. He married first Rhoda, daughter of Peleg Randall of Lyons, and second Cath-
erine Fries. They had one son, Frank L., our subject. He has been since 1890 the
proprietor of South Sodus Hotel, and is a member of Humanity Lodge 406, F. & A. M.
of Lyons. He married Minnie E. Garlick, by whom he has one son, Lewis.
Rodwell, William, was born in Lincolnshire, England, December 25, 1844. In 1870,
with his mother, brother, and sister, he came to America, and has resided in Eastern
Wayne since that time. His mother now lives in Clyde with his brother. Mr. Rod-
well engaged in farming early in the seventies and was the pioneer in steam thresh-
ing. He run the first steam thresher in Wayne county, the engine having been built
by his brother at Wood s foundry in Clyde. Mr. Rodwell and his brother were en-
gaged in threshing about eighteen years. In 1882 he bought the farm where he now
resides and carries on general farming-. From 1886 to 1892 Mr. Rodwell run a mint
distillery, also growing peppermint in considerable quantities. In March, 1894, Mr.
Rodwell married Helen Woodworth, of Galen. Miss Woodworth was a successful
teacher in Wayne county for about thirteen years.
Richmond, Charles E., was born in Hoosick, Rensselaer county. November 28, 1836.
His education was obtained in the district schools, and he has always followed farm-
ing. Mr. Richmond's father, Edward H., was born in Minerva, Essex county, in 1805.
He was educated in the schools of his day, followed the wagon business for some time,
was a hotel keeper twelve years and afterward a farmer. October 15, 1835, he mar-
ried Mary Ann Ostrander, of Hoosick, by whom he had two children: Charles E., as
above, and Justin M., who died February 19, 1856. The family came to this homestead
in this town in 1857. Mr. Richmond's father died February 7, 1891, and his mother
March 20 1890.' Mr. Rifhmond has resided here nearly thirty-seven years.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 259
Robinson, Thomas, the first of the family in Wayne county, came from England in
1815 and settled in Sodus, taking up a farm half a mile north of Wallington, where he
spent his life, cleared up the land, and became a prosperous farmer. He was a
prominent and influential memeber of St. John's Episcopal church of Sodus. He mar-
ried Susanna Richardson, and died in 1890. Their children were: Ann, Thomas, and
Mary A., who died in childhood; Elizabeth, who married Townley Hopkins, of Sodus-
William, who is a farmer in Sodus and married Maria Sergeant; Susanna, who mar-
ried William Messenger and settled in Michigan ; Samuel, who was born in 1826 and
settled in 1874 in Sodus village, where he has since lived. He is a member of the M.
E. church of Sodus, and married Cynthia, daughter of James Sergeant, of Sodus.
Their children are: He-ter A. (Mrs. Albert Stocking, of Sodus), and Elizabeth (Mrs.
A. Eugene Payne, of Sodus), and George Robinson, who settled in Sodus and is a pros-
perous farmer. He was commissioner of highways one term, it a member of St. John's
Episcopal church of Sodus and Sodus Grange. He married, in 1857, Sarah A. Stone,
and they have two chiliren, Elizabeth and John.
Rogers, George H., was born at Sodus Point June 8, 1846, and is a son of David
Rogers, who was a native of Watervliet, N. Y., who was a son of Nathaniel. David
was a ship builder and carried on the business at Oswego for several years. In 1838
he came to Wayne county and settled at Sodus Point, where for many years he was
extensively engaged in ship building. He married, in 1840, Caroline, daughter of
Abner Wood, one of the early settlers of Sodus Point. Mr. Rogers died in 1892.
George H. Rogers entered the store of Willis T. Gaylord at Sodus in 1864, and held a
clerkship there until 1872. In that year he, in company with 0. W. Bates, engaged in
the hardware business, under the name of Bates & Rogers. Ward Smith afterward
acquired the interest of Mr. Bates, and the firm was Rogers & Smith. In 1885 Mr.
Rogers purchased the interest of Mr. Smith and has since conducted the business alone,
except during the year 1890, when his son, David G., was a partner. Mr. Rogers is
one of the enterprising public spirited men of the town and one of its most successful
business men. He is a member of the Sodus M. E. church, having been a member for
over twenty-five years. He married, in 1867, Maria, daughter of Jesse H. Greene, of
Sodus, and they have one son, David G.
Ridley, William, was born in Phelps, Ontario county, January 30. 1817. He was
educated in the district schools and has always followed farming. January 14. 1839,
he married Elizabeth M. Tittsworth, of his native town, and they have had eleven chil-
dren : James T., William, Esther A., Morrison, Aaron, George D., Mary E., Clara, an
infant daughter not named, and Alice and Delbert, twins. Mr. Ridley's father, Mathew,
was born in England in 1781 and came to the United States when eighteen years old,
locating in the town of Phelps. He married Delila Sober, of the town of Arcadia,
Wayne county, by whom he had seven children, of whom James, William, as above,
Nelson, Lydia, Hiram, and Delira are now living. Mrs. Ridley's father, Richard Titts-
worth, was born in New Jersey about 1785 and married Esther Dewitt, of his native
place. They had four children : James, Ann, Jennette, and Elizabeth M. He died in
1830 and his wife in 1834. They came to this locality about 1810. Mr. Tittsworth
was a soldier in the war of 1812 at Sodus Point. Morrison is a professional caterer.
James T. married Phoebe Westfall ; Willard married Pamelia Eggleston ; Aaron mar-
ried Cornelia Morris ; Mary E. married Oliver Eggleston ; Alice married Charles Corn-
well, and Delbert married Hattie Morris.
Robison, Minard, was born in Arcadia, October 3, 1845, was educated in the common
schools, and has always followed farming. December 27, 1872, he married Alice A. M.
Rowe, of Manchester, Ontario county, and they have one daughter, Harriet E. Mr.
Robison's father, John D., was born in Phelps, Ontario county, January 25, 1813, was
educated in the schools of his day, and was also a farmer. He married Christina Yan
Decar, who was born in Rensselaer county, and had five children : Abram, Aaron V.,
260 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Minard, as noted, Mary, and Andrew J. He died in 1877, and his wife in 1885. His
grandfather was Minard, and his great-grandfather, John Decker Robison, was the first
settler in the town of Phelps. Mrs. Robison's father, Freeman Rowe, was born in
Wayne county in 1827. He married Harriet A. Oderkirk, of Manchester, and they had
three children: Robert D., George F., and Alice A. M. Both parents were killed at the
same time on the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R., March 12, 1887.
Prescott, Joel H, was born in the town of Phelps, Ontario county, Maj' 28, 1815.
He was educated in the common and select schools and completed a course preparatory
to entering the academy at Oaks Corners. He taught district school for several years,
and was assistant teacher in the Seneca Falls Academy. In 1835 he became clerk for
John R. Green, of Phelps, where he remained until 1837, and during the next three
years he was in business with the late Cornelius Horton. He was major, colonel, and
paymaster of the 71st Regiment, N. Y. Militia. In 1840 he moved to Lyons, and in
1844. came to Newark, where he conducted a general store until 1854. He then
accepted the position of secretary of the Wayne County Mutual Insurance Company, and
held that position until 1869, when it discontinued business. Since that he has made
insurance and real estate his business. He has served as president and trustee of the
village of Newark for ten years. For nine years he has served as president, trustee,
and secretary of the Union School and Academy of Newark. He held the position of
postmaster nearly eight years, it being the first presidential appointment in the village.
In 1851 he became one of the founders of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, and has served
as vestryman and warden until the present term. October 18, 1838, he married Sarah
A. Davis, of his native town, and they had six children living : Helen, Serena A.,
Sarah A., Clara A., Joel H., and T. Davis. Serena married Henry J. Peirson, now of
Meadville, Pa.; Joel H. married Nellie Harding, of Buffalo, where he now lives. April
26 1882, T. Davis married Anna, daughter of Rev. J. P. Foster, now of Davisville, and
they have two children, Grace F. and Joel H. He now conducts a jeweler's store in
Newark. He has served as town clerk two years, and is a member of the Board of
Education. Mrs. Prescott died August 26, 1890.
Pyatt, the late Stephen A., was born in Oswego county, November 9, 1839, and came
to this county with his parents when a young man. He was educated in the public
schools. He enlisted twice, first in Company I, 17th Inf., N. Y. S. Vols., was promoted
corporal, and was honorably discharged on account of illness, caused by exposure,
November 8, 1862, and returned to Newark. After recuperating in September, 1864,
he re-enlisted in Company E, 111th Inf., N. Y. S. Vols., soon after was commissioned
second lieutenant, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Mr. Pyatt
was an active member of Vosburg Post No. 99, G. A. R. Dep't of N. Y., of Newark.
After his return he formed a co-partnership with M. E. Burnham in the grocery and
crockery business, under the firm name of Pyatt & Burnham. In politics he was a
Democrat. September 13, 1865, he married Amelia Lewis, who was born in the State
of Pennsylvania. Mr. Pyatt died May 22, 1885, mourned by a bereaved wife, and re-
gretted by many friends. He was a member of Newark Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M.
Mis. Pyatt's father, Lyman Lewis, was born in Troy, N. Y., May 10, 1792. He mar-
ried Lucinda Lamb, formerly of Vermont, and they had ten children. Mr. Lewis died
September 29, 1859, and his wife May 4, 1854. Mrs. Pyatt is an active member of the
Woman's Relief Corps.
Peirson, Henry R., was born in the 'town of Arcadia, three miles north of Newark,
January 22, 1816. He was educated in the public schools and in early life was a
farmer. He afterward learned the shoe trade and carried on the tanning business,
which in those days was very profitable. April 22, 1840, he married Celestia Reems, of
the town of Arcadia, and they were the parents of the following children: Silas S.,
who is a banker in Newark; Mary A. C, Sarah S., Henry A. and Samuel A. (twins),
Sophia M., Herbert, and . The twins lived to be grown men, but are now dead,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 261
and only three of the other children are now alive. Mr. Peirson moved to the village
of Newark in 1852. He was a drover for some years, selling to the eastern market,
then a produce dealer, and purchased the flouring mill on Mud Creek, which he con-
ducted six years. After this he became a merchant in the grocery business, and later
was a banker with his son, Silas S., under the firm name of Peirson & San. Mr. Peirson
then retired from active business and purchased a farm of forty acres, including the old
Bartle place, which is now nearly all sold and fine residences erected and streets opened.
His life has been an active one and in all his various pursuits success has crowned his
efforts. He has always identified himself with the growth and prosperity of the town
of Arcadia and of the thriving village of Newark. In politics Mr. Peirson is a Democrat
and has been trustee and assessor of this village some years. When Sumter was fired
upon he put himself in line with such men as Daniel S. Dickinson of New York, and
General Dix, and was largely instrumental in sending the first company of this county
to the front from the village of Newark. Mr. Peirson's father was a soldier in the war
of 1812.
Palms, Andrew, was born in Oneida county, May 13, 1838, was educated in the
public schools, and came to this county in 1869. He became superintendent of H. C.
Edgett's Canning Factory, which position he filled eight years, then spent two years in
the same position for a concern in Batavia, and six months in Water town, Jefferson
county. He is now a carpenter and joiner. November 26, 1862, he married Harriet
E. Abbott, of his native county, and they had two daughters, Addie and Cornelia S.
August 14, 1862, he enlisted in Co. H, 117th N. Y. Inf., and participated in thirteen
general engagements, among others he was present at the capture of Fort Fisher, N.
C. He was honorably discharged June 8, 1865. He is a member of Vosburg Post,
No. 99 G-. A. R. and of Newark Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M. Levi, his father, was born
in Rensselaer county in 1811, and came to Oneida county with his parents when a young
man. He married Emily Dibble of that county, and their children were: Stephen,
Andrew, Almira E. and Adelia. He died in 1889 and his wife in 1891. Alfred W.
Abbott, father of Mrs. Palms was born in Oneida county in 1817, and was a millwright
and carpenter. He married Mary Thompson, by whom he had five children : Harriet
S., Esther E., Willard W., Mary A. and Eliza J. Mr. Palms' grandfather, Stephen,
was a soldier of the War of 1812, and his maternal grandfather was in the Revolution.
Price, George H., was born south of the village of Newark, October 17, 1834, was
educated in the district schools and the Union School and Academy and in early life was
a farmer. He resided in Baltimore five years before the war, then farmed on the
homestead five years, and then became a miller at the lower village three years, since
which time he has kept a general supply store at the upper lock on the canal, together
with a dry dock. February 27, 1867, he married Matilda Pierce, of Orleans county,
and they have had four children : Perry G., Roy well S., Allerton R. and Anna A.
Pe-ry G., the father of Mr. Price, was born in Maryland in 1802 and came to Ontario
county with his parents, where they settled in Spring. He married Mrs. Eliza (Taylor)
Douglass, and they had four children : George H., Ann E., Esther E. and Seward F.
Mr. Price died in 1872 and his wife a few years later. ' Our subject was elected super-
visor while on his wedding tour, and received a re-election in 1873. He is a member
of the A. 0. TJ. W.
Price, Seward F., was born on the old homestead two miles south of Newark village
February 17, 1845. His education was acquired in the district schools, also attended
the Union School and Academy'five years, and delivered the valedictory address for
the graduating class, January 13, 1869, he married Sarah L., daughter of Henry R.
Peirson of this village, and they have three sons, George H., Harry B. and Seward P.
Mr. Price is cne of Arcadia's representative men and one of her best farmers.
Pearsail, John T., was born in Huron, Wayne county, in 1856, and is a son of Henry
262 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
who came from Saratoga to Seneca county, and about 1845 settled in the town
of Huron and engaged in farming. He married Jane Turbush, and their children were:
John 0. (deceased), William H., Eleanor, Esther, George, Amanda, John T., Phoebe
and Edward. William H. settled in Huron, where he died ; Eleanor married Cyrus E.
Fitch and settled in Butler ; Esther married James McClure and settled in Tompkins
county ; George settled in Wolcott where he died ; Amanda married Frank W. Hagen
and settled in Niagara county ; Phoebe married, first, Anthony Curtis and second
Abraham Griswold, and settled in Wolcott; Edward settled in Sodus ; John settled
in Sodus and is an enterprising farmer. He was for several years excise commissioner,
and in 1893 was elected assessor. He married in 1893 Delia L., daughter of John Bates
of Sodus, by whom he has two children, Leo B. and Theda J.
Pratt, Elizabeth A. — Her father, Isaac Soverhill, was born in New Jersey December
6, 1809, coming to the town of Phelps with his parents when a boy, where he was edu-
cated in the schools of his day and came to this county soon afterward. September 1,
1831, he married Maria Cline, formerly of Columbia county, and they had two daugh-
ters, Elizabeth A., as above, and Gertrude J., who died aged thirteen. He died
December 19, 1866, and his wife July 27, 1876. December 15, 1859, Elizabeth A.
Soverhill married Morrison Pratt of the town of Marion, and they have five children, I.
Byron, Gertie M., Anna E., Marion E., and Leland M. T. Byron married Anna Whal-
ing and has one daughter. The youngest son is the farmer for his father. Mrs. Pratt's
grandfather, Isaac Soverhill, was born in New Jersey January 24, 1774. He married
Elizabeth Dobbins of his native place, a sister of General Dobbins of Revolutionary
fame, and came to this State. They had nine children : Samuel, Jemima A., Justus D.,
James M., Isaac, Eliza J., John G., Hugh W. D. and Charles W. In 1817 Isaac Sover-
hill bought from the land office a tract of land three and a half miles northeast of
Newark village, and Mrs. Pratt now resides on a part of the original purchase. A
cousin, Cornelius P. Soverhill, was born in Marion, Wayne county, June 8, 1843, son of
the late Justin D. Soverhill. In early life he was a farmer and now a resident of New-
ark, dealing in coal, wood, etc. He married Mary Lans;don, of Clyde, and they have
one daughter, Ada J., who is a student in the Union School and Academy. Mr. Sover-
hill was a soldier in the late war, and is a member of Vosburg Post No. 99, G. A. R.,
Department of New York.
Potter, James, was born in Lyons in 1828 and is a son of Elry Potter, who was a
native of Eastown, Rensselaer county. He served in the War of 1812, holding the
rank of sergeant. He came to Wayne county in 1811 and settled in Lyons, taking up
a farm of 160 acres. He remained until 1838, when he removed to Sodus, purchasing
a farm in the southeast part of the town, where he spent the remainder of his life and
died in 1883. He married Elizabeth Hay, and they had ten children: Maria, who mar-
ried William Sutherland ; Eliza, who married Samuel Warren ; David settled in Lyons
and was a farmer. He married Anna E. Woodworth ; Jane married Samuel Clary ;
Elry settled in Michigan ; Horace was a farmer and settled in Sodus. He married Har-
riet Thompson ; Conrad was a ship carpenter. He first settled in Michigan and later in
the South; William was a shoemaker and settled in Lyons. He married Susan Price;
Harvey lived and died on the homestead in Sodus. He married Clarissa Allen ; James
Potter in his early life run a boat on the canal eleven years, but for over forty years has
been a farmer in Sodus. He is a member of the Sodus Grange, and married Elsie
Burns.
Peek, Winslow J., was born on the old homestead two miles west of Newark August
31, 1841. He was educated in the common schools, has had a variety of occupations,
and is now a farmer and fruit grower. He has been section foreman of the West Shore
Railway six years. He has also followed the canal several years, owning the boat F.
M. Allerton. December 17, 1862, he married Levina J. Shaver, formerly of Broome
county. His father, Abram, was born in Nelson, Madison county September 4, 1805.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 263
He married three times, first Martha Holdridge of his native place and they had two
sons, Andrew and Germaine, who reside in Michigan. For his second wife he married
Asenath Heath, of Penfield, Monroe county, by whom he had four children, Martha J.,
Adaline M., Winslow J., as above, and Sarah A. For his third wife he married Rhoda
E. Covey, of Penfield, formerly of Columbia county, and they had two daughters, Grace
A. and Bertha E., the eldest residing in Kansas and the other a teacher at home. Mr.
Peek has resided on this homestead fifty-five years. His grandfather, Abram, was a
soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Peek's father, George Shaver, was born in
Greenbush, Columbia county, in 1818, and came here with his parents when a boy. He
married Hannah Shartz.of this town, and they had five children. Mr. Peek is a member
of Newark Lodge No. 83 F. & A. M.
Patrick, the late Isaac N., was born in Pittsford, Monroe county, November 7, 1822,
and came to this town with his parents when three years old. He was educated in the
district schools and was always a farmer. December 23, 1859, he married Mary Ann
Deny, who was born April 10, 1840, in Fendrayton, Cambridgeshire, England. They
had two children, Sarah E., who married John C. Penoyer, of Bristol, Ontario county,
and they had three children. Walter J. was born February 8, 1865, was educated in
the district schools and at Newark Union School and Academy, and is the farmer on
the home farm. February 7, 1884, he married Julia L. Bloom of this town, and they
had one son, Newton J., born April 17, 1888, who died August 7, 1893. Patrick died
March 22, 1888, mourned by a bereaved wife and family. He was a member of the
Masonic order. His grandfather, John, was born March 1, 1788, and was a captain in
the War of 1812. Mrs. Patrick's brother, Aldred Deny, was a soldier in the late war
in the cavalry branch of the service, was promoted to the position of colonel. John
Patrick Avas a manufacturer of plows. The Patrick family located on this homestead
about 1828. The ancestry of this family is Scotch and English.
Pitts, Jesse G., was born in Chatham, Columbia county, June 7, 1823, and was edu-
cated in the common schools and Kinderhook Academy. In 1845 he came to Geneva
Ontario county, where he engaged in saddlery business, including harnesses and trunks
until 1852. He then came to Newark, where he embarked in the hardware business,
in company with Eli Van Valkenburg, under the firm name of Pitts & Van Valkenburg.
They sold out in 1854, and Mr. Pitts then went on his farm, north of the village and
sold timber, remaining two years. June 2, 1859, he married Heien R. Day of West-
field, Mass., and they have one adopted daughter, Louisa, now Mrs. Calvin P. M. Vary,
a banker in this place. They have two children : Grace and Calvin. Mr. Pitts has re-
sided in New York seven years, also in Brooklyn seven years, returning to Newark
about 1873, where he has conducted a boot and shoe business about twenty years, in-
cluding the manufacture of moccasins under letters patent about six or eight thou-
sand dozen pairs annually, selling them to jobbers and the finding trade. Mr. Pitts'
father, John W., was born at the old home in Columbia county in 1795, and came here
at an early date. He married Polly Gifford. of his native town, and has six children.
He died in 1874 and his wife in middle life. Mrs. Pitts' father, David M. Day, was
born in Westfield, Ma»s. He married Eliza Johnson of Bristol, Conn., and they had
two children: Helen R. and Martin. Both father and mother are deceased. Mr. Pitts'
father was a soldier in the war of 1812.
Pulver, John, was born in Schoharie, N. Y., in 1807, a son of John M., who came to
Sodus in 1829. Their ancestors came from Holland in an early day and settled in
Dutchess county. John M. married Rebecca Millis, and their children were : Serene,
John, Jane, Dorcas, William, Daniel, Anson and Jerome. John settled in Sodus and is
engaged in farming. He married Mrs. Lucinda, widow of William Ellsworth. Ami
Ellsworth, the pioneer of the family in Wayne county came from East Windsor, Conn.,
on foot in 1800, and took up 100 acres of land on the lake west of Sodus Point. He
built a log house and returned to Connecticut for his family. They endured all the
264 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
hardships that fall to the lot of a settler in a new country. His wife was Chloe Allen,
and in 1807 learning that she had inherited some property in Connecticut, she made the
journey there and back on horseback alone. Their children were : Ami, Sophia, Hul-
dah, Aurelia, Julia A., Levi, Ann, William, who settled on the homestead and was a
prosperous and enterprising fanner. He married Lucinda I. Selby of Palmyra, and
died in 1853.
Potwine, Thomas H., the first of the family to settle in Wayne county, came from
East Windsor, Conn., in 1835 and settled in the eastern part of Sodus, purchasing a
farm north of the Ridge. The family were of English and French descent. Caleb the
father of Thomas H. was a son of the Rev. Thomas Potwine, who was pastor of the
Presbyterian Church at East Windsor from 1753 to 1802. Thomas H. was a man of
thrift and energy. He was a regular attendant and liberal supporter of the Sodus
Presbyterian Church. He married Jane Trumbull, a descendent of Governor Trum-
bull of Connecticut, and their children were : Mary, who married William Sergeant of
Sodus; Thomas, who died in early manhood, and Charles, who settled in Sodus, and is
a prominent farmer. He is a member of Sodus Lodge, No. 392, F. & A. M., and
Wayne Chapter. He married Emma A, daughter of John Gates of Sodus, and they
had five children : Henry H., Charles J., Nora E., Morris M. and William T. Thomas
H. Potwine died March 15, 1894.
Proseus, Elias, was born in Columbia county in 1819, and is a son of John, whose
father, John Proseus, sr., came from Germany and settled in Columbia county, ard in
1831 came to Sodus and purchased a farm northeast of the village on the lake road. He
was a prosperous and thrifty farmer. He married Hannah Coon, and their children
were: John, Peter I., Henry, Hannah, Betsey, Ira, Anson, Jonas and Margaret L.
John Proseus, jr., died in Columbia county in 1821. He married Ella Carnun, and their
children were : Hiram, who married Catherine Harvey of Sodus and settled in Wiscon-
sin ; Elias and Robert, who never married. They settled on the Proseus homestead in
Sodus and were farmers. Robert died in 1893. Elias Proseus has held the office of
highway commissioner three years.
Oaks, Charles G., was born in Rose August 22, 1834, son of Charles G., and Sallie S.
(Hills) Oaks, he a native of Craftsbury, Vt., and she a native of Pittstown, N. Y. The
father of our subject was reared on a farm and started in life at the age of twelve, his
father dying at that time. He learned the cooper's trade and also followed farming.
He came to Rose in 1830 and here lived and died. He owned ninety acres of land. He
Avas a strong temperance man. Subject was reared on a farm and educated in Red
Creek Academy. He followed teaching several terms, and then followed farming and
also worked at the cooper's trade. He traveled for Ellwanger & Barry, nurserymen of
Rochester, for two years. He was also engaged in selling maps for two years previous
to the war, and owns a fruit farm of fifty acres known as the Robert Wilson farm. In
1885 he engaged in the manufacture of boxes and the ssleof paints, oils, etc., in partner-
ship with his son Charles W., and the firm is known as Oaks & Son. Subject was in
the lumber business two years previous with H. L. Munn. He enlisted in 1864 and
served ten months, and was at Lee's surrender. He has been justice of the peace three
years, and is a member of the I. 0. G. T., of North Rose. He married Hulda A. Wil-
son, a native of Rose and daughter of Robert and Catharine Wilson, natives of Dundee,
Yates county, who came to Rose where they died. Mr. Oaks ard wife have four chil-
dren : Katie, wife of James Thomas, of Huron ; Charles W., who is a partner with his
father. He married Ellen, daughter of Calvin Winchell, by whom he has one child,
Seth C. ; Marilla, wife of Edgar Davis, of Central Falls, R. I. ; and Bertie R., at home.
Olmstead, John H, was born in the town of Amsterdam, Montgomery county, and
came to Phelps, Ontario county, with his parents when he was about four years of age.
His father died in Galen when subject was thirteen years old, and he was sent to Steuben
FAMILY SKETCHES. 205
county. He afterward returned to this county, and made his home with Roderick
Price, working summers and attending district schools during the winter. April 11,
1844 he married Ruth, daughter of Samuel and Jane Lucas, of Arcadia, who was born
March 20, 1822, and has resided where she now lives sixty-five years. They have eight
children : Ruth A., Samuel L., John H., jr., Frank, Lorin R., Frances A., Adelia, and
Theodore H. Mr. Olmstead's father, Dorus, was born in Amsterdam in 1787, and mar-
ried Margaret Hendrick of his native town, by whom he had ten children : Adelia,
Abijah A., Catherine A., Phoebe, Abigail, Margaret, Marian John Id., as above, Peter
and Charles. He died in 1832 and his wife October 17, 1848. Mrs. Olmstead's father,
Samuel Lucas, was born in Middletown, Conn., in 1790, and married Jane Gardiner, of
Rhode Island. They came to Western New York in 1812, and had four children : Alma,
Miranda, Angehne and Ruth. He died in 1860 and his wife in 1824.
Ostrander, Melvin, was born in Phelps, Ontario county January 19, 1825, and came
to this homestead with his parents in his tenth year. He was educated in the common
schools and has always followed farming. November 20, 1855, he married Emma G-.
Harrington, of Arcadia, formerly of Junius, Seneca county, and they have had three
sons : William H., born December 10, 1860, who is a farmer at home; Dorman D., born
June 1, 1864, and is now a nursery salesman for C. W. Stuart & Co. He married Mary
ONeil, of East Palmyra and they have one son, Claire J., born June 14, 1888, and
Clarence M., born October 15, 1869, who died in infancy. Mr. Ostrander's father,
William, was born in Columbia county in 1776. He married twice. By his first wife
he had these children : Levi, Hiram, Mary, Robert L., Silas, Anna, Harmon, Eliza,
William, Phoebe, Marvin and Melvin as above. Mrs. Ostrander died when her youngest
son was less than three years old, and he married second Mrs. Mary Turbush, of Phelps,
and they had one daughter, Harriet. He died in September, 1855. Mrs. Ostrander's
father, Isaac Harrington, was born in Otsego county March 3, 1793, and married Melinda
Waterman. They had fourteen children. Mr. Harrington was a soldier in the War of
1812. He died in September, 1856, and his wife in 1867. Mr. Ostrander has resided
on this homestead sixty years.
Nellis, Peter E., was born in Arcadia August 24, 1846, educated in the Hnion School
and Academy of Newark. He has conducted a liquor store here for the past sixteen
years, and also owns a farm in the town. He has been connected with the fire depart-
ment since its organization in 1859, first as torch boy, and is now its chief engineer.
December 28, 1872, he married Caroline L., daughter of T. S. and Betsev A. Hooper of
Newark, and they have two daughters, Blanche H. and E. Viola. Mr. Nellis's father,
Azariah, was born at Fort Plain, Montgomery county April 14, 1822, and was a con-
tractor on public works. He married Margaret A. Failing, of Arcadia, by whom he had
five children : Bmogene, Peter E., Josephine, Georgiana and Margaret. He died in
1872, and his wife resides with her only son. The paternal great-grandfather was a
soldier in the French and Indian war. The ancestry of the family is Dutch and Ger-
man.
Nicholoy, William H., was born in Arcadia on the homestead north of the village of
Newark October 23, 1844, and was educated in the Union School and Academy of
Newark. His early life was spent on the farm. In 1861 he came to Newark and
became a partner with Edward Blackmar in the clothing and dry goods business,
and was also with E. B. Marian one year in a general store. In 1871 he formed a
co-partnership with S. B. Van Duser under the firm name of Nicholoy & Van Duser,
selling dry goods, carpets, and custom clothing, and was subsequently changed to
Nicholoy & Co., which continued till April 14, 1892. February 14, 1890, he was ap-
pointed postmaster of Newark under the Harrison administration. July 5, 1870, he
married Alice E. Eddy, of Taunton, Mass., and they have five children : Henry E.,
Emma B., Mary A., Ella, and William Everett. The eldest son is the assistant post-
master and his oldest daughter stamp clerk. Mr. Nicholoy is one of the elders in the
hi
366 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Presbyterian church, and is also president of the Enterprise Seed Company, which was
organized January 1, 1894. His father, Jacob, was born in Arcadia, three miles
north of Newark, January 14, 18.19. January 21, 1842, he married Harriet B. Van
Tassal, formerly of Columbia county, and they have thirteen children: William H.,
Julia A.. Catherine A., Harriet D., Esbon T., Alice E., Frances A., Mary L., Jacob H.,
Lillie A., George Mellan, Jennie V., and Sarah E. The ancestry of the family is Dutch,
German and English.
Norris Family, The. — The pioneer of this family in Wayne county was Job Baldwin
Norris, who came to Sodus in 1816, and took up a farm. He was a native of New
Jersey, and was a son of John Norris, a pioneer in that State, and a soldier in the
Continental Army. John married Susan Baldwin, and settled in Mayence, Cayuga
county, and later in Wayne. Job married Pamelia Foster, by whom he had four chil-
dren : Rufus F., Mary. Samuel H., and Frances. Samuel settled on the homestead, and
though he has taken an active interest in all local affairs, has never cared for office. His
first wife was Diantha Bennett, and his second, Arvilla D. Shirtz, by whom he has
one son, William R., who lives near his father, engaged in farming and fruit evaporat-
ing. Rufus F. Norris settled on a farm in the south part of the village of Sodus and
became one of the leading men of the town. He was largely instrumental in the build-
ing of the Sodus Point and Southern Railroad, of which he was vice-president and
director for several years, and also one of the commissioners of the Lake Ontario Shore
Railroad. He married Louise Kingsley, by whom he had these children : Ellen, Elliott
B., Kingsley F., and Louise. Elliott B. Norris was born in Sodus June 25, 1845, and
with the exception of the years 1867-68, when he was engaged in the mercantile trade
at Greenville, Pa., has always lived there, being one of the largest farmers of the town,
as well as one of its most progressive and enterprising business men. He is engaged
in the buying and shipping of live stock, and was for several years engaged in the pro-
duce business at Sodus. Since 1874 he has followed fruit evaporating. He is a
prominent and active Democract, and in 1885 was candidate for member of Assembly.
In 1890 he was again nominated, and elected. Mr. Norris was the author and intro-
ducer of a bill making the sheriff and county clerkships salaried offices. He is a mem-
ber of the Patrons of Husbandry and a charter member of Sodus Grange No. 73, of
which he has been master many years. He is also chairman of the Legislative Com-
mittee of the State Grange. In 1868 he married Georgianna Chipman, of Wolcott,
and their children are: Mabel I., Floy E., Amy L., Louise E., and Mark Elliott. Will-
iam R. Norris was born September 16, 1855, in the town of Sodus, son of Samuel H.
Norris. He has always followed farming, takes an active part in politics, and has been
candidate for supervisor. He married, in 1881, Carrie E. Synder, of Sodus.
Morse, Rollin E., was born in Newark May 8, 1842, educated in the Academy, and
began as clerk in his father's store in 1857. In 1860 he became a merchant tailor and a
dealer in men's furnishing goods until January, 1890, when he bought the Kenyon drug
store, and has since done a successful drug and stationery business. October 16, 1860,
he married Emma C, daughter of Dr. Lewis Hernck, of Albany, and they have had
two children : Louis H. and Nellie, who died aged seven years. Horace H., father of
our subject, was born in 1817, and began business as a merchant in Port Gibson, com-
ing to Newark in 1836, where he engaged in the grocery, and later in the dry goods
business. He married Mary Vanderhoof, of Plainsville, Ontario county, and they had
one son, Rollin E. Horace H. died June 6, 1887, and his wife In 1884. The ancestry
of the family is English and Dutch. Mrs. Morse's father, Dr. Herrick, was born in
Maiden, N.Y., in 1816, and was a noted physician of his day. His sugar coated pills,
and Dr. Hemck's plasters, have a world-wide reputation. His wife was Emma Potter,
a relative of Bishop Potter, and they had four children: Helen E., Emma C, Richard
P., and Robert L. Dr. Herrick died in 1878, and his wife in 1888. Mr. Morse is a
member of Newark Lodsje No. 83, F. & A. M., and of the I 0.0. F. No. 250.
FAMILY SKETCHES.
Miller, Mrs. Mary L. — Her father, John Flyn, was born in Waterford, Ireland, in
1822, was a farmer by occupation, and married Mary Powers, of his native place, and
came to the United States in 1849, first locating at Auburn, N. Y., afterwards at
Newark, where they made their permanent home. They had thirteen children, nine of
whom survive: Michael, who resides in Newark ; Mary L. ; Thomas is a resident of
Canada; John resides in Newark; William is a resident of Canada; Nellie, now Mrs.
William Tusk ; Anna, Catherine, and James. Mary L. married William M. Miller, of
Camden, Oneida county, N. Y., and they have two children : William A., and Rose E.
The son was educated at Eastman's Commercial College, Poughkeepsie ; the daughter is
being educated in the academy. The son works in the factory of the Wayne County
Preserving Company, of which Mrs. Miller is superintendent. In 1886 she organized and
started the Lake Port Preserving Company in Canada, and superintended it two years,
then returned here and has b^en superintendent the past five years. Mrs. Miller's
efficiency commands good pay. In Canada she received one hundred dollars per month
and board for herself and two children. Her father died in 1886, aged sixty-four
years, her mother still survives. Mrs. Miller is a devoted Catholic, and is interested in
the welfare and prosperity of her church.
Mills, Dr. William R., was born in the town of Arcadia, July 20, 1861. When six
years old his parents moved to Washington, D. C, where they remained three years and
then returned to Lyons. Here he was educated in the Union School and academy, and
then entered the West Winfield Academy, where he graduated in 1879. He taught
school in various places for seven years and then began the study of dentistry with Dr.
Forrester of Lyons. He afterward went to Philadelphia and attended the dental college
in that city, from which he graduated in 1889, and then began a successful practice in
Newark. Dr. Mills' father. Gustavus Mills, was born in the town of Columbia, Herkimer
county, in 1817. He was reared on a farm and educated in the schools of his day. In
1861 he became a sutler in the 17th Inf., N. Y. Vols. ; was captured and spent six months
in Libby prison, and after this was in the paymaster's department at Washington for
three years, then became a commercial traveler. In 1840 he married Nancy Petrie, of
his native county. Eight children were born to them, two dying in infancy and six
still living: Emma, Marsh, Mason, Lizzie, John, and William, as above noted. Mr.
Mills died in 1891, and his wife now resides with her son, Dr. William Mills. The
ancestors of both the paternal and maternal sides served in the Revolutionary war and
in the war of 1812.
Miehl, Philip, was born in Alsace, France, in 1834. His father was Jacob Miehl.
Philip came to America in 1853 and settled in Rome, N. Y., where he remained until
1862, then went to Rochester, and in 1864 settled in the town of Sodus, south of the
village. He is a cooper by trade, which business he conducted until 1889, then pur-
chased a farm wh;ch he has since operated. From 1880 to 1889 he was commissioner
of highways for the town of Sodus. He is a member of the Grange at Sodus, and of
the Presbyterian church at Joy. He married first, Thorita Hennager, by whom he had
two sons and a daughter. Christopher, the older son, settled in Williamson, and is a
wagonmaker ; Philip is a blacksmith at Alloway ; and Mary married William J.
Cheatham, of Joy. Mr. Miehl married second, Mary A. Yight, and they had one
daughter, Catherine, wife of James Robertson, of Rochester. For his third wife he
married Sarah F. White.
Miller, E. Alvin, was born in Saxony, Germanv, November 26, 1356, where he re-
ceived his education and learned the trade of florist and nurseryman, receiving several
diplomas as a reward for his efficiency. He came to the United States June L, 1876,
locating in Rochester, and entered the employ of Elwanger & Barry, where he remained
seven years. September 21, 1882, he married Catherine M. Roth, of Rochester, formerly
of Germany, and they have one son, W. Henry, born June 9, 1883. The family came
268 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
to Newark in 1884, Mr. Miller entering the employ of Jackson, Perkins & Company as
foreman of their extensive nurseries. Mr. Miller's father, William, was born at the old
home in Germany, and married Sophia Hotsuth, of his native country, by whom he had
six children, four of whom survive: E. Alvin, as above ; Bertha, Anna, and Minnie, all
reside at the old home. Mrs. Miller's father, Henrv Roth, was born in Hesse, Germany,
in 1827. He married twice, first, Ann Smith, by whom he had one son, Adam H. Mrs.
Roth d<'ed, and he married second, Catherine M. Seibert, and they had two children :
Elizabeth, and Catherine M., as above. The family came to the United States, locating
in Rochester, where they have earned a competency. Mr. Miller is a member of the
A. O. U. W., No. 116.
McDermott, John B., was born in Newark, August 4, 1864, was educated in the
Union School and Academy, and at the age of sixteen was employed in the American
Express office at the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. station, and on the removal of the office to
the village, February 1, 1883, he was given charge of the same, which includes the
National Express. Since March 1, 1891, he has also been manager of the Western
Union Telegraph office at this point. His father, Thomas, was born in Ireland, in 1836,
came to America when a boy, and married Nora McCarty, of Macedon, Wayne county.
Their three children were : John B., as above ; Michael J., and Sarah A. Thomas is
section foreman on the N. Y. C. & H. R. R R The family are members of St.
Michael's Church at Newark, our subject being also a member of the Benevolent Legion.
He has served as town clerk three years, and is now serving three years' term as village
trustee.
Miller, the late William R., was born in Kinderhook, N. Y., in 1823, was educated in
the district schools, and followed farming. November 20, 1849, he married Almira
Pultz, of his native town, by whom he had two children : Amasa L., who married Ruth
Frisbie ; and Charles W., who married Lillie M. Gosline of this town, and has one
daughter, Nellie H. The family moved here in 1872. Mr. Miller died October 17,
1889. William M. Pultz, father of Mrs. Miller, was born in Columbia county in 1806,
and married first, Margaret Pultz, by whom he had three children, Almira, Charles and
Mary. Mrs. Pultz died in 1848, and he married second, Julia A. Cookingham of his
native place. He died January 23, 1878, and his widow resides with Mrs. Miller, aged
eighty-five. Mary Yanderbilt, a sister of Mrs, Miller, died April 20, 1871. Mr. Pultz
and his second wife came to this county to reside in 1871.
Moody, Charles R., was born in Williamson in 1817, and is a son of Col. Cephus
Moody, who came from Amherst, Mass., in 1810, and settled in Williamson, Wayne
county. Taking up a tract of land he engaged in farming. He was a carpenter by
trade and for many years carried on an extensive business in that line in Williamson
and surrounding towns. He was a stirring business man, for a time kept tavern at
Williamson, and was a partner in a mail route from Rochester to Oswego. He took
an active part in political affairs, being deputy sheriff for several years and poormaster
fifteen years. He was active in military affairs, served in the War of 1812, afterward a
member of the State militia, and for several years was colonel of the 242d N. Y. Regi-
ment. Colonel Mood}7 was twice married, first to Jane Nash and they had two chil-
dren, both of whom died in infancy ; and for his second wife he married Sally E. Por-
ter and their children were Charles P., Sidney C, Arvilla S., Eleanor L. and Albert J.
Colonel Moody died in 1879. Charles C. settled in Williamson and engaged in farming,
and in 1866 settled in Sodus, west of the village where he has since resided. He has
been a buyer and shipper of live stock, and has been active in political affairs, having
been deputy sheriff se\eral years, and has held various other political offices. He was a
member of the 242d N. Y. State militia several years, and was lieutenant colonel at the
time of its disbandment. He is a member of the Sodus Presbyterian Church, is a
member of the I. O. O. F., and R. S. of T He married in 1850 Carolme De Kroeft,
and they had these children : William D., Byron E., Josephine and David C. (deceased).
FAMILY SKETCHES. 269
Mrs. Moody died December 6, 1877, and February 18, 1879, he married Frances E.
Brown. Byron E. settled in Sodus and is a farmer. He married Jennie Corts. Will-
iam D. settled in Canada and engaged in the live stock and produce business. In 1890
he returned to Sodus and resides on the homestead. He married Hattie Hadberson.
Miller, Samuel B., was born in Canandaigua October 23, 1826, and came to this
homestead with his parents in 1827. He was educated in the common schools and has
always followed farming, until he retired in 1888. January 2, 1856, he married Sarah
A. Hoffman of this town. Mr. Miller has been assessor of the town six'years. Mr.
Miller's father, James, was born in Pittstown, Rensselaer county, in 1790, and went to
Cayuga county when a young man. He married Eliza Benson, of Owasco Cayuga
county, and they had ten children, Susan, Cordelia, Edwin, Caroline M., Augusta,
Samuel B., as above, Sarah, Sophronia J., Horton and Eliza. Mrs. Miller's father,
William Hoffman, was born March 24, 1804, and married Harriet Krum of his native
place. They had four children, Margaret, Sarah A., Ambrose and Franklin. The
family came to this town in 1837. Mr. Hoffrmn died July 15, 1893, and his wife in
1881. Mr. Miller's father, James, was represented in the War of 1812. His brother,
J. Horton, was a lieutenant in the late war in Company A, 150th Inf. N. Y. State
Yols., and was honorably discharged at the close of the war.
Mason, William H., was born July 3, 1831, in Marion, Wayne county. Jesse Mason,
his father, was born at Cheshire, Mass., April 26, 1787, a son of David. The Mason
family are descended from Scotch ancestry, came to America in an early day and settled
in Massachusetts. Jesse Mason came to Marion about 1810 with his father and engaged
in farming. He was supervisor of Marion one term and in 1823 was elected to the
General Assembly, and held many minor offices. He studied law and although never
regularly admitted to the bar enjoyed an extensive and successful practice. He was
one of the organizers of the Christian Church of Marion and an active member of the
same. He removed to Sodus in 1832 and several years later settled east of that vil-
lage on the State road, purchasing a farm there, on w_:ich he spent the remainder of his
life. He died September 12, 1847. He married Patience Skinner November 12, 1809,
at Pownal, Yt., and they had eighteen children: Lyman H., who d;ed in infancy; Ann
S., Jane, who died in childhood ; Caroline, Lyman H., who died in childhood ; Edwin.
David J., John, who died in childhood; Mary A., Arvilla, who died in infancy; Lois
L., Jesse, who died in childhood ; Carleton H., Harriet J., Marcia Y., Alfred J., Ptollin
D. and William H. Oar subject in early life was a sailor for several years, then en-
gaged in farming, and is one of the extensive and prosperous farmers of Sodus. Dur-
ing the building of the Sodus Point and Southern railroad he was a contractor on the
same. He is a prominent member of the Sodus Point M. E. Church. He married in
1854 Cornelia, danghter of James Sergeant, who died in 1892, leaving one daughter,
Allie, Mrs. Clarence Button of Sodus.
Miller, Frederick O, was born in Mecklinburg, Scherwin, Germany, October 10, 1843,
and came to the United .States when he was twenty-one, locating in Lyons. He is a
farmer and milk dealer. March 26, 1867, he married Sophia Merke, of Lyons, formerly
of his native place, and they have three children : Charles, wno married Julia Feicock
of this town ; James, who is a farmer with his father and Ella L., who resides at home.
Mr. Miller's father, Christian, was born at the old home July 2, 1805. He married
Dora Corman of Germany, and they had seven children": Louise, Mary, Louis, Jennie,
William, Frederick C. as noted, and Charles. Mr. Miller died in 1873, and his wife in
1862. Mrs. F. C. Miller's father, Louis Merke, was born in Mechlinburg, Scherwin,
Germany, June 25, 1824. He married M'nnie Helwie of his native place, and they
had eight children : Sophia, Louise, John, William, Henry, Charles, Eliza and Lois. Mr.
Merke died January 6, 1888. The family came to the United States in 1862, locating in
Lyons.
270 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
Marble Bros. — John W. was born in the town of Arcadia in Marbletown November
28, 1842, was educated in the common schools, and has always followed farming. De-
cember 25, 1874, he married Mary E. Robison of Huntsburg, Ohio, and they have one
son, Ray W., born April 14, 1879, who is a student in the Union School and Academy at
Newark. His brother, Warren F., was born at the old homestead December 5, 1848,
was also educated in the common schools, and is a farmer with his brother, John W.
December 1G, 1874, he married Josette Moss of Huntsburg, Ohio, and they have one
son, George B., born July 2, 1879, who is a student in the same institution. Our sub
ject's father, James, was born in Marbletown, July 29, 1819, was educated in the schools
of his day and was a farmer. He married Lorinda Dusenbergof Phelps, Ontario county,
and their children were : John W., as noted ; Elizabeth and Warren F. Mr. Marble died
April 21, 1891, and Irs wife September 29, 1887. Mrs. John W. Marble's father, Har-
vey II. Robison, was born in 1792, the first white child born in the town of Phelps.
He married twice, for his cecond wife Emily Durham, by whom he had three childien :
James, Harry, who died in infancy, and Mary E , who died in Livingston county He
died in 1854, and his wife in 1858. Mrs. Warren F. Marble's father, William C. Moss,
was born in Burton, Geauga county, Ohio, in 1808. He married Maria J. Robison of
Phelps, and they had seven children : Charles, Elizabeth, Ford, Josette as noted, Mar-
vin, Almira and Jessie M. He died in 1870, and his wife survives him.
Langdon, Thomas, was born in Phelps, Ontario county, December 5, 1836, was edu-
cated in the district schools, and at the age of eighteen came to Newark and became a
clerk for James Bennett. In 1859 his father's family came to the New York Central
Station, where they kept the Langdon Hotel, until the death of the father in 1875, when
o ir subject took the management entirely. February 21, 1866, he married Ruth A.
Wilber of this town, and they have had three children : a son who died in infancy ;
Mary E. and Caroline. March 11, 1885, Mary E. married B. J. Palmer, of Palmyra,
and they have four children : Bennie L., Earl, Carolyn R. and Charles W. December 5,
1888, Caro'ine married Chauncey I. McCoy, of Newark. She died January 11, 1892.
Mr. Langdon's father. Eben D., was born at Fort Ann, Washington county, December 8,
1803. He married, first, Eleanor Haight, by whom he had one son, Henry. He mar-
ried, second, Mrs. Hannah Brown, born November 18, 1802, and they had two children :
Thomas, and Anna M., who married Benjamin F. Bennett of this town. Eben D. died
March 20, 1875, and his wife April 12, 1876. Thomas is a member of Newark Lodge
No. 83, F. & A. M. and Newark Chapter No. 117, R. A. M., Palmyra Council No. 26,
R. & S. M., Zenobia Commandery No. 41, K. T., of Palmyra.
Lusk, Christopher O, was born in East Newark October 23, 1833. He was educated
in the district schools and followed boating on the canal in early life, was also clerk in
a store some time. He went to California in 1853, remaining there two years digging
gold, and has been conducting a meat market for many years. In 1876 he was elected
poormaster, serving three years, was town clerk one year and village collector one year.
In 1894 he was again elected poormaster. December 31, 1855, he married Emeline B.
Fairchild of Phelps, and they had four children : Frank S. who married Nettie M^Ken-
nie of Indiana; Ralph O, who died, aged twenty -six ; William H., who married Helen
Flynn of Newark, and they have one daughter, Marie L.; and Adella L , who resides at
home. Mr. Lusk is a member of Newark Lodge, No. 116, A. O. U. W., and of the
Knights of Honor. No. 492. He enlisted September 3, 1864 in Company E, 11th In-
fantry, N. Y. S. Volunteers, was honorably discharged for disability November 19,
1864. Mr. Lusk's father, Peter, was born in Schenectady county March 19, 1793, he
was a merchant, interpreter and attorney. August 23, 1812, he married Harriet
Howell, formerly of Columbia county, by whom he had twelve children: James Gr., Al-
lied, Christopher, all died in infancy ; Adelia, Harriet, Daniel H., Permelia, Clinton O,
Alfred D., Irene and Christopher C. Mrs. Lusk's father, Asher Fairchild, was born in
New Jersey in 1799, came to Ontario county, and married Temperance Humphrey, by
FAMILY SKETCHES. 371
whom he had five children. He died in 1878, and his wife in 1860. Peter husk died
June 9, 1839, and his wife March 28, 1848.
Lovejoy, the late David W., was born in Kinderhook, Columbia county, in 1812, and
came to Western New York in 1845. His education was obtained in the public schools
and he was a farmer by occupation. He married twice, first Sally Wilb°r of that
county, who died in 1873, 'and second in 1875 Martha J. Davis of East Newark. They
have had two children : Mary L. and David W., a student in the Union School and
Academy. Mrs. Lovejoy's father, George Davis, was born in Saratoga county in 1808,
was well educated, and in early life was a merchant. After he came to this place he
was a grocery merchant. He married twice, first in 1834 Lucy Patrick of Stillwater,
and they had three daughters, one who died in infancy ; Martha J. and Mary F., who
is a resident of Toledo, 0. Mrs. Davis died in 1839, and he married second Elizabeth
Wilcox, of his native county, by whom he had one son, William G-. Mr. Davis died in
1883, and his wife in 1887. Among the Davis family for generations there have been
preachers of the Friends denomination. Mrs. Lovejoy taught two years in the Union
School and Academy, also in Louisiana and Alabama fourteen years. On the maternal
side the family are of Revolutionary stock.
Lyman, Milo S., was born in Galen May 18, 1826, son of Jesse and Betsey (Sedgwick J
Lyman, he a native of Connecticut and came to Galen about 1820, and then to Rose,
where he settled on a farm, and finally to Rose Yalley, where. he died in 1866. He
kept lighthouse at Sodus Point for about fen years. Subject's mother died when he was
four years of age, and subject was bound out to work for Adam Learn of Galen, with
whom he remained until he was twenty-one. He afterward worked for John Learn
seven years, worked his farm three years, and during the time bought forty acres in
Eose on which he moved, and erected buildings, remaining three years. He next
worked by the month eight years, and then rented his father-in-law's farm. In 1874
he bought the farm he now owns of 148 acres. Mr. Lyman has been postmaster one
year. He has been a member of the M. E. Church thirty years, and has held every
office in the church of Rose Valley. Mr. Lyman married in 1854 Rebecca, daughter of
John, Barnes, by whom he has one son, John W., born in February, 1857. He was
educated in Albany Normal School, from which he graduated with high honors, and
taught school two years in Garrison. His health failed and he died with quick con-
sumption in 1881. Mrs. Lyman died May 18, 1892, and in April, 1894, he married
Clarissa Webb of Huron. He has one adopted son, George A. Barnes, son of James
Barnes of Huron.
Lent, Charles D., was born in Sodus in 1832. His father, Benjamin, was a son of
Jonn Lent, a resident of New Jersey. Charles D. was reared in Bergen, Genesee
county, his father having died during his childhood. In 1853 he returned to Sodus and
August 14, 1862, enlisted in Company H, 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery as private, was
promoted to sergeant, first lieutenant and captain, serving until the close of the war.
He was mustered out in July, 1865. Returning to Sodus he purchased the Messenger
farm, west of Wallington, and has since carried on farming. Upon the building of the
railroads through the town be erected a depot and was made station agent, continuing
to act as such until 1888. For many years he was in the produce business at Walling-
ton, and was a dealer in coal and fertilizers, bringing the first car load of each that came
in Sodus. In 1872 he started a grocery and carried on that business until 1891. He
secured the establishment of the postoffice at Wallington in 1874, which continued until
1886. In 1874 he built a hotel at Wallington, which he has since kept as a temperance
house. He is deeply interested in political affairs. He was appointed deputy, by
Sheriff Reed in 1889, is a member of Dwight Post, G. A. R., of Sodus and was com-
mander for several years. In 1852 he married Laura, daughter of Solomon Smedly of
Sodus, and their children are Herschael D., who settled in Illinoig ; Charles M. of
272 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Rochester ; Lillian 0. (Mrs. Clayton Boyd of Syracuse); Ida (Mrs. J. S. Cox of Newark);
Emma, (Mrs. A. L. Olmstead of Des Moines, la.), Kittie and Matie.
Lincoln, Theron L., was born in Virgil, Cortland county, November 24, 1815. and
educated in the district schools. Until the age of twenty-one he was reared on a farm,
afterward became a boot and shoe dealer, also manufactured mittens, and was for many
years a farmer until he retired. He married twice, first, Loretta Bruce, of his native
place, and they had two children: Bruce W and Loretta, both deceased. Mrs. Lincoln
died July 10, 1850, and he married second, in January, 1852, Polly A. Keyes, of his
native place, formerly of Vermont, and they have three sons ; Orion M., who married
Helen Garlock, and they have one son, Ward G.; Clinton T., who married Emma Shaw,
and has two children, Claud E. and Mildred E ; and Herbert G., who married Emma E.
Filkins, by whom lie has one daughter, Ermie B. Mr. Lincoln's father, William, was
born in Massachusetts July 6, 1784, and was one of the first settlers in Virgil, Cortland
county. He married Ruth Saxton, of his native place, and they have had twelve chil-
dren :" Harriet, Silas, Theron L., Wait, Ruth, Minerva, William, Clinton, Levi, Laura,
Oscar, and Emma. Mr. Lincoln died in 1870, aged eighty-six years, and his wife in
1864. William Lincoln was major in the State militia. Mrs. Theron Lincoln's father,
Eli Keyes, was born in 1794 in Vermont. He married Mercy Chapman and had ten
children. ' Mr. Keyes died in 1850 and his wife in 1857. Mrs. Lincoln's grandfather,
Jonathan Chapman, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and her grandfather, Ezra
Keyes, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Lincoln was assessor and justice of the
peace several years.
Leggett, Charles E., was born in the town of Arcadia August 26, 1864, and came
here with his parents when he was four years old. He was educated in the Union
School and Academy. At the age of twenty-one he became a partner with John L.
Wilder in the hardware business three years, then bought his interest, conducted it
alone one year, when the co-partnership of Leggett & Watkins was formed under that
firm name, which continues until the present time. October 24, 1888, he married
Edith M. Percey, of the town of Phelps, Ontario county. Mr. Leggett's father, John
T., was born in Columbia county in 1820, and came here when a young man, was a
farmer until 1868, when he retired and moved to the village. He married twice, first,
Mary A. West, and they had one son, Sanford, who is a clerk in the firm. He married,
second, Susan Cronise, of this town, whose ancestors came from Maryland. They had
three children: Ida O, John T., jr., and Charles E. He died in 1879. Mrs. Leggett's
father, Henry Percey, was born in Hoosic Falls, and came to Lyons when a boy. He
married Louisa Harmon, and they had two daughters: Nellie and Edith M. Mr.
Leggett is a member of I.O.O.F. No. 250, of Newark.
Kelley, Clarence M., was born on the old homestead south of Newark September 20,
1850, and was educated in the common and the Union School and Academy. In early
life he learned the machinist trade at H. C. Silsby's, Seneca Falls, and became a
thorough workman. Taking locomotive work he pursued it in detail at Schenectady,
Philadelphia, and for the N.Y.C. & H.R.R.R. Leaving the locomotive cab in 1876 he
went to the Black Hills and Big Horn region, prospecting and mining, and for four
years remained there testing many claims. He came back to the East with the inten-
tiou of settling in Newark, but was induced to take charge of the Bignall Manufactur-
ing Works at Medina, which employed seventy men. This he left and came back to
Newark to succeed his father in business, purchasing the Eagle foundry site on Union
street and erecting the present Kelley block. With his own private purse he led the
work of establishing ^rade, laying walk and curbing Union street in front of his
premises. He has added to his business house furnishing goods and carriages, and by
liberal dealing has made his business a success. October 7, 1880, he married, at Medina,
Rosena Randolph. Mrs. Kelley's father, Rev. Webster Randolph, was born in Vermont,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 273
He located in Newark and was instrumental in building the present Universalist
church. He married Eliza Yose, of Boston, and they had three children : B. Howe,
Rosena, and Caroline, who died in infancy. Mr. Randolph died in October, 1893, and
his wife in January, 1882. Mr. Kelley is a member of Newark Lodge No. 83, F. & A.
M., of Newark Chapter No. 117, R. A. M., Zenobia Commandery No. 41, K. T.
Kneeland, Rev. Francis W., was born at Strikersville, Wyoming county, September
15, 1856, was educated in the public schools, and the academy, preparatory to entering
the university. In 1880 he graduated from the Rochester University, and soon after
entered the Rochester Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 1887, and
immediately began Gospel work, preaching at Moodus, Conn., for some time, then
coming to Wayne county, where he settled at Newark in November, 1890, as pastor of
the First Baptist church, which he has continued up to the present time, 1894. Decem-
ber 27, 1881, he married Anna Randolph, of Rochester, who is a grandniece of John
Randolph, of Roanoke, Va. They have three children : Paul S., Lloyd R., and Marjorie
B. The ancestry of the family is English on both sides, the original stock in this coun-
try having settled in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Keener, Stephen N., was born in the town of West Huron, Lewis county, January
31, 1841. He was educated in the public schools, learned the carpenter's trade before
he was twenty-one years old, and came to Newark in June, 1862. July 25, 1862, he
enlisted in Company A, 160th Inf., N. Y. S. Vols., and was honorably discharged at the
close of the war. Upon his return he resumed business, this time as architect, contractor
and builder for twenty-three years. January 21, 1868, he married Katie E. Espenscheid,
of Lyons, and they have one daughter, I. Augusta. Mr. Keener has been a member of
the School Board six years, with its offices of president, secretary, etc. He has served
as village trustee two terms, is a member of Vosburg Post No. 99, G. A. R., Dep't of
N. Y. ; also of the M. E. church, and an official member of the same for twenty-five
vears. He is also trustee of the Cemetery Association for the past twenty years. Mrs.
Keener's father, John Espenscheid, was born in Germany, February 17, 1813, and came
to the United States when a young boy, and located in Sodus, shortly afterward in
Clyde, and finally in Lyons. He married Helen Derich, of his native country, and they
had six children : John M., Katie E., Philip J., Mary E., William H., and Helen E.
He died October 5, 1888, his wife still survives.
Kennedy, Thomas, was born in Canandaigua, September 20, 1857, and received his
education in the district schools, having been a railroad man for sixteen years. He has
filled various positions in that line, was with the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. ten years ; and
with the West Shore Railroad Company six years as yard conductor, and also as freight
conductor when needed. September 20, 1882, he married Mary A. Norris, of Cortland,
and they had two sons : James N., who died young ; and Thomas N., a student at the
academy. Mrs. Kennedy died October 22, 1887. Mrs. Kennedy's father, James N.,
was born in the old country in 1824, coming to the United States in 1844, where he
located in Canandaigua, and married Alice Armstrong, by whom he had eleven children.
Both parents are now deceased. Mr. Kennedy is a member of the A. O. U. W. No.
116, at Newark.
Kaiser, John, was born in Baden, Germany, August 5, 1824. He learned the black-
smith's trade, came to the United States in 1840, and located in Rochester, where he
worked in Barton's edge tool establishment. He afterward engaged in work at Mud
Creek, and from there came to Lyons. He married twice, first, May 28, 1847, Lottie
Worllhiser, formerly of Germany. They had ten children, seven of whom are living :
Lottie, John, jr., William, George, Margaret, Louisa, and Hattie. Mrs. Kaiser died
October 9, 1867, and he married second, May 25, 1868, Mrs. Susana Becker, of Liver-
pool, Onondaga county. Mrs. Kaiser's father, Frederick Arnold, was born in Wurtem-
berg, Germany, in 1788. He married Barbara Harkenbock, of his native place, and
274 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
they had fourteen children, all deceased except Mrs. Kaiser. They came to the United
States in 1837. Mr. Kaiser moved from Lyons to Fairville in 1848, and bought his
farm there in 1854.
Kansier, Christopher, was the first of the family to settle in America. He came from
Germany in 1852, and settled in Lyons. He was a wagonmaker by trade and engaged
in that business. In 1859 he settled at Sochis Centre, where he engaged in the same
business. He married Frederica Schultz, and their children were : Fred, William,
Augustus, and Hattie. In 1863 Mr. Kansier retired from business and was succeeded
by his son, William, who has since carried on carriage making and blacksmithing.
Christopher died in 1878. Fred is a wagonmaker and settled at Sodus Centre. He
married Dortha Yokel. Augustus was a blacksmith and carried on that business in
Sodus for several years. He married Mary Flint, and died in 1888. Hattie married
Henry Webber, of Sodus. William Kansier is a member of Sodus Lodge No. 392,
F. & A. M,, and Wayne Chapter. He married Mary Eyer, and they have one daughter,
Cora B.
Keir, Alexander, was born in Banffshire, Scotland, March 7, 1842. He was educated
in their schools and when twenty years old went to Australia, remaining ten years.
July 19, 1867, he married Elizabeth Rohinson, who was born in England of Scotch par-
entage. They have five children, Jane, Margaret, who married Dyton Barclay of Sodus
Centre ; Alexander R. is an employee of the West Shore Railroad Company ; El'zabeth,
who is a student in Genesee Normal School, and James W., who is a student in the
Union School and Academy. The family came here from Australia in 1873. Mr. Keir
has been in the employ of the West Shore Railroad Company since that time, first in
charge of a construction corps and after assistant road master, which position he still
holds. Mr. Keir was one of the principal men in constructing the railway track from
Long Branch to Franklin cottage for the conveyance of President Garfield after he was
shot by Guiteau, and received a card of thanks therefor by the company. Mrs. Keir's
father, Robert Robinson, was born in Scotland in 1792, and married Margaret MacKee
of his native place. They had five children, Jane, Robert, Violet, James and Elizabeth.
Her father was a sergeant in the British Army, and her brother, Robert, was a major in
the British Army in India, Mr. Robinson died in 1869 and his wife in 1890. Mr.
Keir is a member of the Masonic Order in Bolton, N. J., No. 150 F. & A. M., also of
Newark Chapter No. 117 R. A. M.
Kelley, Charles E., was born on the homestead southeast of Newark January 28,
1858, was educated in the common schools and the Union School and Academy at
Newark. He is a farmer and dealer in seed potatoes, and owns the old E. B. Kelley
farm. February 21, 1883, he married Ada A. Bennett, of Phelps, and they have two chil-
dren : Bertha A. and Burnette F. Mrs. C. E. Kelley's father, Hiram Bennett, was
born in Phelps, Ontario county, April 14, 1826, was educated in the common school and
followed farming. He married Eliza Parsons of Columbia county, and they had five
children : Ada A, as above, Milton P., Jennie E., Ulysses C. and Frank H. He had
two children by a first marriage, Andrew J. and Mary L. Mr. Bennett died in 1893
and his widow survives at the old home in Phelps.
Jones, Albert N., was born in Cookham, Berkshire county, England, March 6, 1843,
and came with his parents to the United States in 1847, finally locating in Shortsville,
Ontario county. He was educated in the public schools, and worked at intervals in his
father's paper mill till 1879, since which he has made a business of propagating varieties
of winter wheat. He has 1,700 varieties, which he has produced from three kinds, viz, :
Clawson, Mediterranean and Russian Velvet. August 17, 1862, he married Marietta
Crofut, of Canandaigua, a daughter of Joel and Lucinda (Coy) Crofut, of Connecticut,,
and Vermont, respectively. They have one daughter, Lin S., who lives at home. His
father, William,, was born in England, and married Eliza Fisher, of Bradford, England,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 275
and they had six children : Albert N., William, who died, aged thirteen ; Lizzie. Walter
S., Frank C, and George H. The mother died in 188G. Our subject is a member of
the A. 0. U. W., No. 116, of Newark.
Jenkins, Thomas J., was born in New York city, September 25, 1840, was educated
in the public schools there, and learnedkthe butcher's business, at the age of sixteen
coming to Newark with his parents. Here he began work with G. H. Filldns, continu-
ing four years. July 6, 18G2, he enlisted in Company E, 111th N. Y. Vols., and was in
the quartermaster's department till 1863, ween he returned to his company, participat-
ing in all its engagements until August, 1854, when he was captured at the battle of
Reams' Station, sent to Libby Prison, and later to Belle Island, and Salisbury, N. C,
caring as far as it was in his power to do, for his sick and starving fellow prisoners,
caring for forty from the town of Arcadia, burying them when they died, taking their
last messages to their friends at home, as well as assisting their widows and orphans in
the settling of their property, etc. Few towns suffered as this town did, in its losses
through the war. He was honorably discharged as duty sergeant August 7, 1865, and
returned home to Newark, where he opened a meat market, and has been engaged in
that business now for many years, having been for fourteen years in his present loca-
tion, corner Main and Union streets. November 27, 1859, he married Annie Taylor,
of this town, and they have had five children: Charles, Grace M., Will, and Lela and
Lula (twins), Charles and the twins being deceased. Grace married Charles Frey of
Newark, and they have one daughter, Lulu. Will married Mary O'Brien, of Manches-
ter, and they have two daughters, Fannie and Pearl. Thomas J., father of our subject,
was born in New York city in 1800, and conducted a butcher's business. He married
Maria Francisco, of Whitehall, by whom he had five children : Susan F., Louisa, Thomas
J., William W., and Isaac G. Mr. Jenkins died in 1856, and his wife in 1884. Our
subject is a member of Newark Lodge, No. 83, F. & A. M., and also a member of the
G. A. R. No. 99.
Jewell, Alva, was born in Dutchess county February 21, 1820, a son of Isaac and
Charity Jewell, natives of Dutchess county, who came to Lyons in 1819, where Mr.
Jewell died, and his wife died in Rose. Subject was reared on a farm till eighteen,
when he learned the cooper's trade and after ten years engaged in farming. Mr. Jewell
owns 140 acres, and has a fine residence and out buildings on his farm. He married in
1843 Susan Wager, a native of Galen, and daughter of John and Margaret Wager, early
settlers of Galen, who died in Huron. They had nine children. Mr. Jewell and his
wife had six children, Henry, Malinda (deceased), Alonzo (deceased), Elizabeth, Frank-
lin, and another.
Jolly, Rev. Thompson, was born in Yorkshire, England, August 5, 1822. His father
died while he was still a child and his mother married John Middleton. In 1830 they
came to America and settled in Ontario county. In 1833 they removed to Sodus and
settled in the northwest part of the town. He learned the blacksmith trade and from
1838 to 1843 followed that business at Stanley, N. Y. He then returned to Sodus
village and for two years worked at his trade there. He then built a shop and for
thirteen years carried on the business of blacksmithing. In 1857 he joined the Central
New York M. E. Conference and from that time until 1884 was pastor of various
churches throughout Central and Western New York. In the latter year he returned
to his farm in Sodus and for a year was pastor of the church at Joy, and for a year and
a half at South Sodus. In 1889 he settled in Sodus village. For twenty years he has
been a strong Prohibitionist, and has taken a very active part in temperance work. He
married in 1845 Mercy, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Gates, of Sodus, and they
had four children : Mary, Mrs. Wilmot M. Ormsby ; Dr. William F., Wesley T., and S.
Belle. Dr. William F. Jolly on being admitted to practice settled at Middlesex, N. Y.,
and in 1894 settled at Atlanta, N. Y. Wesley T. settled in Sodus and is an enterprising
276 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
farmer. He is a member of Sodus Grange and Pultneyville M. E. church. He married
S. Cammilla, daughter of William S. Vosburgh, of Sodus, and their children are Olin B.
and Arthur T.
Hoffman, Frederick, was born in Prussia, Germany, June 9, 1827. He was educated
in their schools, learned the trade of carpenter and came to the United S*ates in 1849,
locating in Carthage, Jefferson county, where he remained fourteen years. He came to
Lyons in 1863 and to Newark in 1864, where he has been a contractor and builder. He
has done much in building and enlarging the enterprising village of Newark. July 31,
1854, he married Theresa Say forth of his native place, and they have one adopted son
August L., who is a resident of Lyons, a jeweler by occupation in company with 0. C.
Robinson, of Newark. Their stock in trade is watches, jewelry, diamonds, musical in-
struments, pianos, organs, sheet music, etc., with stores in Lyons and Newark. He
married Emma Jacoby, and they have a son, Frederick. Mrs. Hoffman's father, Fred-
erick Sayforth, was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1806. He married Julia Schlieder of
that place, by whom he had six children. They came to the United States in 1847.
Mrs. Hoffman's grandfather, Christoph Sayforth, was a judge in his province fifty years.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman are members of the German Evangelical church, of which he has
been trustee twenty-nine years.
Hyde, William H., was born at the old home July 26, 1863. He was educated in the
Union School and Academy, in Cook's Academy at Havana, and in Genesee Normal
School. He is a farmer and capitalist. February 26, 1885, he married Bertha J. Jack-
son, of Lyons, and they have two children: Bertha L., and William H., jr. Mr. Hyde's
father, Artemus W.; was born at the old home in Hydesville September 15, 1816. He
was educated in the schools of that day, and was also a farmer. He married twice,
first Armeda Miles, of this town, by whom he had four children : E. Miles and a twin
brother who died in infancy ; Ransom A., who died aged nineteen, and John L. Mrs.
Hyde died in 1856, and he married second Louisa Pierson. They had three children :
Artemus D., William H., as above noted noted ; and Armeda L. Mr. Hyde was super-
visor of the town in 1864-65. He died January 5, 1892. Mr. Hyde's grandfather,
Henry W., was born in Vermont June 29, 1774. He was a pioneer settler and physi-
cian of this town. Mrs. William H. Hyde's father, George W. Jackson, was born in
Lyons August 11, 1832. He was educated in the common schools and Starkey Semin-
ary. He was a farmer by occupation. October 27, 1857, he married Elizabeth Agett,
of Lyons, by whom he had two daughters and one son: Mary E., Bertha J., and James
A. Mr. Jackson died July 6, 1884. His father, Cyrus, came to Lyons in 1811 on
horseback. He was then a young physician, and made several trips back and forth to
New York city for medicine on horseback. It was said by the Fox sisters that Artemus
W. Hyde was a firm believer in spiritualism. The family wishes this to be emphatically
denied, it being a pure fabrication on their part.
Hill, Gilbert and Noadiah, came from Columbia county in 1845, and settled about two
miles southwest of Sodus village. They were sons of Caleb Hill, whose father Caleb
Hill, sr., came from England and settled in Vermont. Noadiah Hill was supervisor of
the town one term, and took an active part in political affairs. In 1867 he returned to
Columbia county, where he died. Gilbert Hill died in Sodus in 1889. He married
Sylvia Smith, of Columbia county, and their children were: Eunice (Mrs. T. H. Hath-
away) ; John C, Noadiah M., and Henry, all of Sodus. Noadiah M. settled on the
homestead and is a farmer. He married Eva L. Pulver. John C. Hill is a thrifty and
enterprising farmer. He has held the office of collector of the town, is a member of
Sodus Lodge No. 392, F. & A. M., and of Wayne Chapter ; and is also a member of
Sodus Grange and the Presbyterian church of Sodus. He married Lydia M. Brayton,
and they have one son Gilbert.
Hoeltzel, George, was born in Alsace, France (now Germany), December 30, 1836,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 277
and came to the United States with his parents in 1840. They located in Lyons. Wayne
county. He was educated in the district schools, and is a farmer. June 27, 1867, he
married Lena Schwab, of Arcadia, and they have three children : Albert G-., Emma M.,
and Minnie R. August 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, 9th Heavy Artillery, and
was in the following engagements : Cold Harbor, Monocacy Junction, Winchester,
Cedar Creek, and others, and was honorably discharged May 3, 1865. Mr. Hoeltzel's
father, Michael, was born at the old home in Alsace in 1794, and married Dorathy ,
of his native place. They had seven children : Dorathy, Elizabeth, Michael. Frederick,
Sally, Henry, and George, of whom Michael, Dorathy, Elizabeth, and Henry are
deceased. Mrs. Hoeltzel's father, George Schwab, was born in Alsace, May 14, 1814,
and came to the Unites States with his parents when sixteen years old, locating in this
town. He married Magdalene , also of this town, by whom he had five children:
Elizabeth, Philip, Lena, Barbara, and George. Mrs. Schwab died January 9, 1854, and
her husband June 4, 1884.
Hart, Samuel C, was born in Coonsville, Ontario county, February 29, 1814, son of
Thomas R. and Lorinda (Granger) Hart, he a native of Rhode Island, born January 21,
1786, and she of Connecticut, born March 4, 1788. The grandfather of subject was
William Hart, who lived in Rhode Island most of his life, and died in Manchester,
Ontario county. The maternal grandfather was Jacob G ranger, a native of Connecticut,
and an early settler of Galen, where he died. Mr. Granger and wife had four daughters
and two sons. The father of subject came to Ontario when a young man, and finally
went to Seneca county where he died July 15, 1860, and his wife June 8. 1823. He
married three times. His second wife was Amelia Eddy, who died March 23, 1841.
His third wife was Nancy Lemunion, who died in Watertown in 1892. Subject has
been a farmer and has also followed various occupations. He came to Rose in 1841
on the farm he traded to William Dodd for ninety-six acres one and one-half miles
southwest of Rose Valley, and has lived where he now resides thirty-eight years. He
owns 138 acres in Rose and an interest in a small place in Junius, Ontario county. He
married in 1836 Ann Witherel, a native of Vermont and daughter of Abel Witherel,
who lived in Vermont, but died in New York, and the wife of subject was reared by
Ira Lathrup, of Rose. They have five children : Mary J., who died in 1864, the wife of
George Knox, by whom she had one child, Lillie, deceased ; Ira L., who married
Cornelia Cushman, by whom he had six children : Susan, deceased ; Addie, Belle, Frank,
Charles, and Bert; Ann E., wife of Daniel Seager, of Huron, both deceased; Marion,
born in 1851, who married Salina Cushman, by whom he has had nine children :
George H„ Mary A., Clinton M., Ida J., Alice E., Nettie M., John L., Rosie, Vina B. ;
and William, born July 3, 1863, educated in the common schools, and is a farmer.
Horton, William 0., a native of Vermont, was born March 14, 1834, son of Abraham
and Sarah (Bingham) Horton, he a native of Springfield, Mass., and she of New Hamp-
shire. He died in Vermont in 1838, and his wife in 1863. He was a soldier in the war
of 1812. Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He
started when a young man, came west, and at the close of the war came to Rose Valley
and engaged in shoemaking, which he has since followed. He married in 1866 Sarah
Brewer, a native of Bennington, Vt., by whom he has had five children : Mary, Willie,
Hattie, and two who died in infancy. Mr. Horton is a member of Sherman Post No.
401, G. A. R. He enlisted in 1861 in Bonton's Battery, 1st III., served a short time,
and was wounded at Shilo. He re-enlisted in Company K, Vt. Vcls., and served until
the close of the war. He was in the following battles : Shilo, Fort Donaldson, Vicks-
burg, Grand Gulf, Bolton, Champion Hill, Fort Hudson, Baton Rouge, Nashville, on
Red River expedition, and New Orleans, Mobile, and many skirmishes. He was
wounded five times. When a young man subject spent three years in California.
Hopkins, E. Horace, was born in Queensbury, Washington county, in 1820, and is a
son of Thomas, whose father, James, came to Sodus about 1822, and purchasing a farm
278 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
in the south part of the town, became a prosperous farmer. He was a leading member
of the Sod us Centre Baptist Church. He married Mary Bramer, and they had eleven
children : Nicholas, who served in the Avar of 1812. He settled in Michigan, where he
died ; Esther died in infancy ; Elizabeth married James McMullen ; Jeremiah died in
early manhood ; Eunice married Samuel Fuller, and settled in Michigan; John B. settled
in Washington county ; Mary and Hannah died in childhood ; Freeman settled in
Kalamazoo, Mich., where he died ; James; and Thomas, who served in the war of 1812.
He settled first in the south part of the town, and the following year purchased a farm
near the Point. Three years later he settled on the south line of the town, purchasing
a farm, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a successful and prosperous
farmer, and was a prominent member of the Sodus Centre Baptist Church, of which he
was deacon many years. He married Samantha Fuller, and they had ten children :
Emily, Mary, E Horace, Betsey J. Clark, Amanda, Thomas, Daniel, Samantha, and
Alonzo. E. Horace Hopkins, with the exception of a residence of ten years in Lyons,
has always lived in Sodus, and has always followed farming. He is a member of Sodus
Grange and the Sodus Centre Baptist Church. He married Emeline, daughter of Gaius
Granger, of Sodus, by whom he had three children: Marion, who died in childhood;
Catherine (Mrs. George Negus, of Sodus) ; and Emily (Mrs. Albert Harris, of Sodus).
Hanby, James E., was born in Sodus October 31, 1853, and is a son of Charles, jr.,
born September 19, 1809, whose father, Charles, sr., came from London,' England, in
1832 and settled in the east part of Sodus, purchasing a tract of land. Charles Hanby,
sr., died in 1849. His children were: Joseph, Elizabeth, Charles, Thomas, Peter, James
and Henry. The father of subject settled in Sodus and was one of its enterprising and
prosperous farmers. He married twice, first, Harriet Jackson, and their children were :
Ann, Charles J., and Harriet P. His second wife was Catherine Gates, and their chil-
dren were : Joseph G., Mary L., Catherine E., Lewis B.. James E., Hannah and Esther
J. Mr. Hanby died June 22, 1887. James E. Hanby settled in Sodus on the old home-
stead, and is one of the enterprising and prosperous farmers of the town. He is also
a dealer in agricultural implements, and is a member of Sodus Lodge No. 392, F. & A.
M., and Sodus Grange. He married, in 1893, Carrie 0., daughter of James Van Slyck,
of Sodus.
Hulett, William J., came from Onondaga county in 1837 and settled in the west part
of Sodus, north of the Ridge road. He was a farmer and for several years a sailor.
He married Mary A., daughter of Henry Mumford, and their children are : Louise (Mrs.
C. C. Fields, of Sodus), and Charles H. He was for a number of years a sailor on the
lakes, and since 1877 has been engaged in farming. December 23, 1877, he married
Mary A. Felker, of Sodus, and they had one son, Leslie J.
Hartnagel, Leonard, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, July 14, 1832, was edu-
cated in their excellent schools, and came to the United States in 1851, at the age of
nineteen, first locating in Lyons. March 10, 1859, he married Margaret Zimmerle, of
Lyons, and they have three children: J. George, who is a resident of Rochester; C.
Edward and L. Ella, who reside at home. Mr. Hartnagel's father, George, was born
at the old home. He married Margaret Hanner, and they have five children. Both of
his parents are now deceased. Mrs. Hartnagel's father, Jacob Zimmerle, was born in
Switzerland, and married Sadie , by whom he had six children. He died when
Mrs. Hartnagel was three years old, and her mother died in 1875.
Horn, John P., was born in Sodus in 1850 and is a son of Conrad Horn, who came
from Germany about 1835 and settled at Lyons, and in 1838 settled in the southeast
part of Sodus, where he purchased a farm and engaged in farming. He also engaged
in the manufacture of lime, and died in 1883. He married Dorathea Lang and their
children were : Henry, who settled in Galen, and is a farmer ; he married Eliza
Benning ; Caroline, who married George Hopp, and, for her second husband, Eli White ;
FAMILY SKETCHES. 279
Barbara, who married George Richards, of Newark ; Lena, who married Michael Brier,
of Fairville; Emma, who married Theodore Pultz, of Sodus; Eliza, who is unmarried :
Jennie, who married John Rogers, of Arcadia; William, who married Fannie Burcroff,
settled in Sodas and is a lime manufacturer; Edward, who is a farmer on the old
homestead ; and John P., our subject, who is a farmer and resides in Sodus. He is a
member of the Sodus Grange and married Hannah Hanby.
Grant, Willis, is one of fourteen children of James and Nancy Grant, of Butler. He
enlisted in the 9th Heavy Artillery and suffered amputation of the right leg at Cedar
Creek, as the result of a rifle ball wound. His reminiscences of those " times that
tried men's souls " and when his own life was despaired of, are characterized by unusual
modesty. James Grant gave his sympathetic and material assistance toward the
abolition of slavery, and his house was a Mecca for the fugitive. January 14, 1851,
being then twenty-two years of age, Willis married Mary M., daughter of Drayton
Phelps, of Butler, and they have eight children : Horace, Emma, Charles, Bertha, Orena,
Drayton, Nathan, and Arthur. An elder daughter, Nancy, died when three years of
age in 1854.
Gilbert, William, born in Sodus August 12, 1834, is the oldest son of five children of
Roswell and Harriet (Crandall) Gilbert. Mr. Gilbert came to Williamson with his
parents when five years of age and died in Sodus in February, 1893, aged eighty-five.
His wife died April 30, 1889, aged seventy-nine. Subject was reared on a farm, edu-
cated in the common schools, and has alsvays followed farming. He is a member of
the P. of H. of Marion, and he and wife are members of the Christian church, of
which he has been deacon four years. He married, in 1857, Helen S., daughter of
Simon and Caroline Adams, of Marion, where he died in 1854, and she in 1885.
Gridley, Edward, was born in Sullivan county, N. Y., December 9, 1837. His father,
Charles Gridley, was a native of Schoharie county, and came to Wayne county in 1875.
He died in 1878, aged seventy-seven. Edward Gridley was educated at Saratoga in
the common schools. In 1862 he enlisted in Company H, 9th Heavy Artillery, U. S.
Volunteers, and was wounded in the left shoulder in the battle of Cold Harbor June 1,
1864, and for a number of months was not expected to live. He was honorably dis-
charged February 11, 1865, returned to Clyde and married in the fall of the same year
Betsey M., daughter of John Braden, by whom he has one daughter, Mrs. Mary L.
Flynn. Our subject was elected collector in 1865, and takes an intelligent interest in
educational and religious matters.
Graham, E. P., second son of Henry and Eliza (Ross) Graham, late of Rose, was born
September 7, 1848. Henry Graham, a pioneer settler of Rose, a prominent Democrat,
finding in farming and horticulture his principal occupation, died in October, 1878, aged
seventy-six. Elmer was educated at Clyde and Canandaigua Academy, and in 1878
acquired by purchase a farm of 200 acres in Butler, devoted chiefly to small fruits and
dairy products, and embellished with handsome buildings. In 1876 he married Nettie,
daughter of Lewis Beach of Varick, Seneca county.
Gautz, Philip, was born in Galen October 11, 1839. His father, Philip, was a native
of Reichwiller, Germany, and came to the United States in 1830 with the grandfather,
Beldazar Gautz, coming to Wayne county by canal boat. He then went to Lyons, and
from there to the town of Galen, where his descendants all reside. He had four chil-
dren : George, Philip, Fred and Eva, who died, aged fourteen. Philip Gautz, jr., laid
the foundation of his education in the common schools, to which he has added through
life by reading and close observation. At the age of twenty-two he married Magda-
lena Shuler, daughter of George Shuler, and they have two sons: Philip Edward, who
died at twenty-seven years of age, the result of an accidental discharge of a gun. He
married Lizzie, daughter of Lewis Streeter, and they had one daughter, Edna Philopene.
280 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
The younger son, Milton F., is still with his parents. In 1863 he bought the John
Wells property, also the Adam Learn property, the David Closs property and the Philip
Wells property, having 500 acres of land and raising large quantities of mint, fruit, hay,
grain and stock, making a specialty of milk dairying, producing 300 quarts per day.
Our subject is one of the largest farmers in Wayne county.
Gridley, William H., of Macedon. was born in Sullivan county July 29, 1853.
Charles, his father, was a native of this State, and married Mary M. Skinner of Sullivan
county, by whom he had these children : William H., Edward, Louisa M., Lewis, who
died, aged four years, and Charles. He was a farmer and a dealer in lumber. After
the death of his first wife he married Mary Ricard of Saratoga county, by whom he
had two children : Lewis, deceased, and George, now of Saratoga Springs. The mother
of our subject was of Revolutionary ancestry, her grandfather having been a soldier in
that war, and her father in the war of 1812. One of her uncles, Israel Skinner, M.D.,
who was a man of note, wrote a history of the Revolutionary War, a copy of which is
in the possession of the family. The father of our subject was hurt in the building of
the Delaware & Hudson Canal, which caused his death. William H. came to Wayne
county over forty years ago, and began as a thresher, working by the month. He
spent about seven years in Galen, then married Phoebe, daughter of Stephen Y. Wat-
son of Galen. He then bought part of the Watson farm, and after eight years Mr.
Watson bought it back, and our subject removed to his present farm in Macedon of 180
acres. Mr. and Mrs. Gridley have these children : Emma May, Edward Watson, and
Charles Albert. Mrs. Gridley claims birthright to the Friends' Church. Our subject is
a member of the Grange.
Gage, Austin J., was born in the town of Macedon April 11, 1842. His father, Abial
D. Gage, was a native of Albany county, born December 17, 1802. He settled in this
town in 1827, buying a farm which he worked up to 1865, when his son came into pos-
session. Austin J. Gage was educated at the Macedon Academy, and was also gradu-
ated from the Eastman Commercial College of Poughkeepsie. He practiced the profes-
sion of surveying until he succeeded his father to the farm. In 1869 he married Hel-
len M. Butler of Rome, and they are the parents of three children, all at home. Mr.
Gage is a Republican and has served twelve years as commissioner, and at present is
inspector of elections.
Grimm, George F., was born in Lyons December 2, 1867. His father, Henry, was
one of the largest farmers in Lyons, having bought a residence in Lyons. His son now
carries on the farm, raising fruit, hay, grain and stock. George F. was educated in the
Lyons Union School, afterwards returned to his father's faim. At the age of twenty-
six he married Mary, daughter of Abram Tack of Sodus. Our subject is one of the in-
telligent young men of his town, taking an active interest in the leading events of the
day. Conservative and independent in character.
Gates A. H., was bora in the town of Ontario May 28, 1844. His father, William F.,
was a large farmer and prominent citizen in his town. A. H. was educated in the dis-
trict schools and at the academies of Walworth, Macedon, and Lima. In 1864 enlisted
in Co. B, 8th N. Y. Cavalry, joining his regiment in the Shenandoah Yalley, and served
under Generals Phil Sheridan and Custer, and received an honorable discharge at the
close of the war. Returning to Ontario in 1867 he was appointed deputy county clerk
and in 1872 was elected clerk of his county, and at the expiration of his term was again
appointed deputy and has served continuously from 1867 up to the present time, with
the exception of three years. Our subject is one of the best known men in town,
identified in advancing its best interests, the leading events of the day, and is recog-
nized as a man of sterling worth and integrity.
Groat, Frederick, jr., was born in Phelps, Ontario county, January 31, 1865. His
father, Frederick Groat, came from Germany. He was educated in the common schools,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 281
to which he has added through life by reading and close observation, being a self-made
and self-educated man. In 1886 he entered the employ of Hoffman & Robinson and
learned the watch making and jeweler's business. In 1893 he established himself in
the same business, and now carries a large line of diamonds, watches, clocks, silver
ware, musical instruments and optical goods, of which he makes a specialty, having the-
most complete line of optical goods in Wayne county. At the age of twenty-seven he
married Carrie P., daughter of C. M. Hattler of Lyous. Subject is one of the active
business men of his town, identified in all the leading events of the day.
Goldsmith, David, was a native of Palmyra, born on the place now occupied by his
son, George W. Paul, grandfather of the latter, located on a farm three and a half
miles north of Palmyra, taking up 300 acres of land, and there he died. David married
Eliza Smith, who came from Trenton. George W. was the elder of two sons, his
brother Festus, dying at the age of six years. George W. was born in 1847, was reared
on his present farm, and here he has always lived, owning 110 of the original 300 acres.
In 1870 he married Mollie Mungmaster, of Palmyra, by whom he has one child, William
G. Goldsmith.
Goldsmith, Thomas, and his brother Festus, were sent from Orange county in 1792 by
their father, Thomas, to Palmyra, to improve a purchase of 1,000 acres. The following
year their father came with the rest of his family, driving forty head of cattle through.
Thomas first mentioned, came to Port Gibson in 1798, locating on a farm given him by
his father. Here he died in 1850 and his wife in 1867. Allen T. Goldsmith was born
in 1824, and has all his life followed farming, having in connection been a maltster for
the past twenty years. In 1854 he married Caroline Lakie, and they have four chil-
dren : Fred, Lizzie, Anna and Kate.
Gage, B. F., was born at Port Gibson, N. Y., Februry 21, 1853. His father, William,
born in Dutchess county, came to Wolcott in 1866, being engaged in farming. They
have five children, of whom subject is the eldest : Eliza J., Isabelle, Harriet and Der-
rick. Maria Gage now lives at Huron with the youngest son, Derrick, William Gage
having died March 1, 1888. B. F. received an academic education at Pittsford, giving
his attention to farming since 1871, at which time he came to Savannah, purchasing the
farm in 1886 on which he now resides. For the four years succeeding 1887 he served
as overseer of the poor at Savannah. November 15, 1877, he married Rebecca, daugh-
ter of Smith Williams of Savannah. Mr. Williams died July 6, 1892, his widow, Phoebe
D., daughter of Seth Crandle, surviving him. Rebecca Gage has one brother, Albert
Williams of Savannah, and two sisters, Emma and Amanda, the former wife of Henry
Severance, and the latter wife of Frank Bryant of Fayette, Seneca county. The chil-
dren of B. F. and Rebecca Gage are: Alfred M., born April 11, 1884, died October 29,
1885 ; Nellie C, born August 6, 1887, and Cora R., born January 18, 1892.
Goss, James W., of Savannah, was born in Galen, November 24, 1861, a son of James
W. Goss, also born in Galen, and for many years a grocer at Lockport. The latter died
in 1875. He married Hannah, daughter of Walter Brockway, of Savannah, where she
now resides. Our subject passed an uneventful boyhood in his native town, and Octo-
ber 1, 1881, he married Dora Y., daughter of N. C. Yought, of this town, who was
born November 2, 1861. Their children are Fred, born October 7, 1882 : Bessie, born
May 5, 1885 ; Jennie V., born July 23, 1887 ; and Nicholas, born July 29, 1889. Mr.
Goss is one of a family of six children, none now living except himself and two broth-
ers, Darwin and Frank, both of this place. Mr. Goss is one of the leading tonsorial
operators of Savannah, and has many warm friends. At the present writing he and his
wife have just returned from a sojourn in Tennessee, whither they went with the hope
of benefit to Mrs. Goss's health, and to escape our inclement winler.
Gregg, Alexander, of Savannah, was born in Ireland February 27, 1840, emigrated in
282 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
1856, and came direct to Clyde, where an elder brother was settled. He first entered
the employ of A. Field at Clyde, but after a severe illness in 1856 he went to Palmyra
and learned the cooper's trade, at which he worked for the next two years in various
places. In Ithaca Mr. Gregg made his first business venture, in the coopering line,
which in five years, by his personal attention and industry, expanded into a plant em-
ploying sixteen men. In 1863 he married Mary E. Murphy, daughter of James and
Ellen (Kelley) Murphy, of Clyde, by whom he has had these children : Robert James,
born September 18, 1864, died March 5, 1872 ; Ellen Amelia, born November 15, 1866;
Katharine Rebecca, born June 27, 1868; Minnie, born December 4, 1870, died April 19,
1872 ; Alexander George, born March 12, 1872, died in infancy; Mary Jane, born July
6, 1873; Anna, born May 29, 1875; Mark Alexander, born September 8, 1876.
Katharine R. was married February 10, 1891, Willett R. Wiles, of Savannah. In 1864
Mr. Gregg left Ithaca, selling out his factory there, and opened a grocery business in
Savannah, which he conducted until the fire in 1885, which destroyed the building and
most of the stock. In 1886 he rebuilt on the same site, a fine business block m.der a
handsome opera house, and took as partner E. L. Adams, adding dry goods and general
merchandise. He has now a large trade. Mr. Gregg is prominent in the Episcopal
Church, a Knight Templar and charter member of Lodge No. 764, and was postmaster
under Cleveland. The family occupy an elegant home on Main s'treet.
Greene, Almon C, dealer in evaporated fruits, grain and produce, is a native of Mace-
don, born in 1854. He was graduated from Cornell University in 1875, after which he
engaged in the fruit, grain and produce business at Wallens Station four years, and one
year at Palmyra. From 1880 to 1883 he was deputy clerk of the State Senate, then
three years journal clerk of the Assembly, and four years assistant clerk of the Assem-
bly, In 1886 Mr. Greene married Alice E. Clark, a native of Lewis county. They
have one son, born in 1891. Ephraim Greene, the grandfather, was a native of Con-
necticut and came to this State at an early date and settled on what is now the old
homestead in Maceden, where he died. Almon Greene, the father, was born in the old
homestead in 1807, where he remained all his life as a farmer, and died in 1881. The
mother of Almon Greene, jr., was Sarah Archer Greene, who still resides at the old
place. Mr. Greene was one of a family of two sons, his brother, Percy A., resides with
his mother.
Greenwood, Marvin I., was born in the town of Sullivan, Madison county, January
31, 1840, and came with his parents to the town of Marion, this county in March of the
same year. He was educated in the common schools, Walworth Academy, and in the
Union School at Newark, N. Y. He studied law with Judge Norton, was admitted to
the bar in 1868, and was elected district attorney in 1876, serving three years. No-
vember 16, 1862, he married Laura F., only daughter of Joseph and Lillie Wadsworth,
of Newark, They had two sons, Frank M., who was well educated. He was clerk for
Ryan & McDonald, contractors on the West Shore Railway. He was .killed at the age
of twenty by an engine on the road, and William, who served his country five years in
the regular army, was in the Indian War. He was wounded in the leg, and honorably
discharged at the expiration of five years as orderly sergeant of his company. He is
now foreman in the new manufacturing concern of the garment drafting machines, con-
ducted by George A. Horn & Co., at Newark. Mr. Greenwood's father, Ira, was born
at the old home, was a carpenter and pioneer there, and a farmer here. He married
Clarissa M. Mosely of his native place, and had three children ; Lucy M., Marvin I., and
Olivia J. He died in December, 1884, and his wife in 1863. Mr. Greenwood is a mem-
of Newark Lodge, No. 83, F. & A. M., of Newark Chapter No. 117 R. A. M., Palmyra
Council No. 26 R. & S. M., Zenobia Commandery No. 41 K. T. of Palmyra, and Roch-
ester Consistory of Scotish Rite, and is now deputy high priest of the Grand Chapter
of the State of New York. He has practiced law here since 1868.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 283
Groat, Hon. Richard P., was born in the town of Ghent, Columbia county, March 29,
1822, and was brought here with his parents in June of the same year. He was edu-
cated in the public schools of Newark, learned the trade of blacksmith with his father,
and succeeded him in the business. October 28, 1847, he married Mary A., youngest
daughter of Daniel B. and Lurena (Case) Lovejoy, of this place, and they have had five
children, three died in infancy, two survive, Mary E., and Charles L. Mary E. married
James W. Dunwell, of Lyons, and they have one daughter, Pauline G. Charles L. is a
resident of Philadelphia. In 1861 he was appointed keeper of the Wayne County Alms
House by the county superintendent, which position he occupied nine years. In the
fall of 1873 he waa elected sheriff of the county. He took the office January I, 1874,
serving three years. He was then appointed deputy collector of internal revenue by
John Shaug of Auburn, which position he held nine years. In the years or 1889, 1890
and 1891 he was elected a member of the Legislature, holding honorable positions in the
several committees on which he served. Mrs. Groat's father, Daniel B. Lovejoy, was
born in Columbia county in 1795, and married Lurena Case, and came to Syracuse in
1827, where he remained a year, and came to Newark. They had eight" children :
Alexander, Hannah, William, Daniel, George, Elisha, Mary A., and John. He died in
1866, and his wife in 1863. The ancestry of the family is Dutch and English.
Gaslin, George B., was born in the town of Vassalborough, Me., February 1, 1827,
and was educated in the district schools and the academy of Bath. His early life was
spent on the farm settled by his grandfather before the Bevolution. He engaged in the
granite and marble business in his twentieth year, and in 1851 came to Newark and
continued trie business, which has gained large proportions through his strict integrity.
January 24, 1864, he married Frances J. Sholes, of Phelps, Ontario county, and he has
one daughter, Maggie, who married Solomon Parks. They had one daughter, Lela F.
For her second husband she married George Mallory, of Newark. Mr. Gaslin's father,
Aaron, was born at the old home in Maine in 1780, and married Sarah Hedges, of Cape
Cod, whose father was a sea captain, born in England. To Aaron and wife were born
six children : Roxanna, Martha, Lydia, John, Aaron, and George B. Aaron died in
1858, and his wife in 1846. The grandfather of our subject on his father's side was the
first settler up the Kennebeck River, eight miles above Augusta, Me. His brother was
a general in the Revolution, and came to this country from England. Mr. Gaslin's
father was a captain in the war of 1812, and was at Sackett's Harbor. Mrs. Gaslin's
father, Benjamin Sholes, was born in New Jersey and came to Phelps with his parents.
He married Mary J. Frederick, who was born on Long Island, and they had fourteen
children, eleven of whom arrived at maturity : Susan, Julia, Frances J"., David L,
William, Mary E., Charlotte, Benjamin, Emma, Orville, and George. Mr. Gaslin is a
member of Newark Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M., also of Newark Chapter No. 117, R. A. M.
Mr. Gaslin's grandfather, Jonathan Hedges, on his mother's side, was the son of an Earl
of England.
Gray, Peter, was born in County Lathrum, Ireland, December 25, 1830, was educated
in the schools of his day and learned the moulder's trade. He came to the United
States with his parents in 1842, locating first in Woonsocket, R. I., and in 1849 came to
Newark, before railways were built and when this town was a mere hamlet. February
24, 1852, he married Mary Lally, formerly of Kings county, Ireland, and they had six
children : Elizabeth, who died young ; James, who was a clerk in the post-office six
years, and died aged twenty-eight years; Maria, Sarah, Anna, and Maggie. Maria is a
school teacher, who resides at home ; Sarah married Emmett Ryan, formerly of Phelps,
and they have two daughters, Marie and Emily ; Anna is a clerk in S. B. Van Duser's
drygoods house ; Maggie married Rainsford W. Searle, and they have one son, Frederick.
They reside in Buffalo. Mr. Gray is a retired business man, of the firm of Wilber,
Gray & Garlock. His father, Michael, was born at the old home in Ireland, and mar-
ried Margaret Donohue, by whom he had five sons : Michael, Thomas, Patrick, Dunn,
284 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
and Peter. They came to the United States in 1842. where the father died about 1848,
and the mother in 1859. The family are members of St. Michael's Church, of this
place.
Getman, George W., was born in Columbia, Herkimer county, December 18, 1845,
was educated in the district schools, and finished at West Winfield Academy, after
which he taught for two years and then entered the employ of Y. G. Burrilland learned
the profession of druggist, removing to Lyons in April, 1869, and established the business
of retail drugs and wholesale and retail essential oils, of which he is one of the largest
buyers and shippers in Wayne county. At the age of twenty-three he married Fannie
Taylor, of Herkimer, and they have three sons, George, Frank, and William, and two
daughters, Fannie and Marion. He is a Republican in politics, has been trustee of the
village, and is also interested in school and religious matters, having been an elder two
years in the Presbyterian church of Lyons. Our subject is thoroughly identified in ad-
vancing the best interests of his town, where he is recognized as a man of sterling
character and high worth.
Gilbert, Joseph, was born in England April 19, 1859, and came to the United States
with his parents in 1871, locating in Manchester, Ontario county. He was educated in
the common schools of that town, Canandaigua Academy, and Rochester public schools.
He taught several years, afterward read law in M. Hopkins' law office in Palmyra
one year, and came to Newark and entered the office of Judge Norton, where he re-
mained until 1892, when he was admitted to the bar in Rochester in the class of 1892.
He then formed a co-partnership with Colton W. Estey, under the firm name of Gilbert
& Estey, and are doing a successful law business at Newark. Mr. Gilbert is a member
of Newark Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M. November 9, 1882, he married Emily M. Tilden,
of Manchester, and they have five children : E. Bernice, Frank W., Allyn T., Lewis A.,
and Walter C. Colton W. Estey was born in Seneca, Ontario county, August 19, 1867,
and was educated in the common schools, Phelps High School and Genesee Wesleyan
Seminary at Lima. He taught two terms, and then entered the law office of ex-
Senator Edwin P. Hicks, of Canandaigua. He afterward went to Michigan, where he
took the regular law course in Michigan University, was admitted to the bar in the
spring of 1892. He then returned to this State, entering the law office of Judge
Norton, as clerk, and was admitted to the bar six months later in Rochester, N.Y.,
and formed a co-partnership, as above stated.
Garlock, Abram, was born in Arcadia February 26, 1860. He was educated in the
Union School and Academy at Newark, is a farmer, cider, and cider brandy manu-
facturer. Mr. Garlock's father, Peter, was born in Phelps, Ontario county, in 1833.
His education was obtained in the district and Phelps Academy, and follows the same
business as our subject. He married Maria Yan Devort, of Phelps, and they have
eight children : William M., who died aged fifteen ; Ellen G., now Mrs. Lincoln ; Abram.
as above ; Thomas Y., who is in Custer City, S. D., a hardware and general store mer-
chant; Charles H., who is in Phelps in business with his father; Kate is a teacher in
the Union School in Lyons ; Alfred M. is clerk with his brother, and Jessie M., who is a
student at Phelps. The ancestry of the family is Dutch. Mrs. Garlock died in the
spring of 1888.
Graham, Nelson R., was born in Rose November 19, 1844, son of Henry and Eliza
Graham. He was reared on the homestead and educated in the common schools, Wol-
cott Academy, Lyons Academy, and Port Byron Academy, and engaged in farming.
He now owns 150 acres and follows general farming. He was postmaster under Cleve-
land three years. He married twice, first, in 1866, Susan E. Genung, a native of
Galen and daughter of Benjamin and Jane A. Genung, of Dutchess county, who came to
Galen and afterward settled in Rose, where Mr. Genung died, and his wife is now
living in Clyde. Mrs. Graham died April 26, 1892, and September 15, 1892, he mar-
FAMILY SKETCHES. 285
ried Florence E. Lovejoy, a native of Rose, and daughter of Silas and Eliza Lovejoy.
Mr. Graham and wife have had one daughter. Susan E.
Gulick, Amos, was born in Washington county in 1820, and is a son of Amos Gulick,
sr., who came to Sodus in 1828 and a few years later took up a farm in the south part
of the town. He married Mary Odell, and they had eight children : John, Mary,
Hannah, Amos, Eliza, William, Jesse S., and Nancy. John died in Lyons ; Mary mar-
ried William Sebring, of Lyons; Hannah married Samuel Leighton, of Sodus, and
settled in Michigan; Eliza Married Charles Nelson, of Sodus; William settled first in
Sodus and later in Michigan, where he died ; Jesse S. settled on the homestead, where
he died; Nancy married Dudley Thornton, and settled in Lyons. Amos Gulick has
always lived in Sodus, and is a prosperous farmer. He is a leading member of the
Free Will Methodist church at Alton and has been a steward and class leader many
years. He married Mary E. Lord, and their children are: Mary A. (Mrs. Calvin
Mitchell, of Arcadia). Martha J. (Mrs. Albert McMullen, of Sodus), and Charles, who
resides at Fairville. He married Aurelia Friedenburg, of Arcadia.
Grenell, Herman, was born in Galen March 9, 1843, son of Herman and Lydia (Cobb)
Grenell, he a native of Massachusetts, and she of Phelps, Ontario county, and came to
Galen when Mr. Grenell was eight years old, with his parents, John and Lucy Grenell,
natives of Massachusetts. Mr. Grenell died in April, 1885, and his wife in 1890. Sub-
ject was reared on a farm and e'ducated in the common schools. He has always been a
farmer, and owns seventy-five acres in Galen and 200 in Rose. He married, in 1865,
Marion C. Griner, a native of Clyde, and daughter of Barney and Phoebe Griner, early
settlers of Clyde, where they died. Mr. Grenell and wife had three children : Eugene,
who married Ida Glove, by whom he has one child, Florence ; Lydia wife of Edward
Luffman, who died aged twenty-two years, leaving one child; and Ada, at home.
The Gaylord Family, — This family traces its ancestry back to the French Huguenots
who settled in Englaud. Dr. Levi Gaylord, the first of the family to settle in Wayne
county, was a son of Chauncey who came from Bristol, Conn., and settled at Otisco,
N. Y. He was a member of Washington's staff in the Revolution. Dr. Gaylord was a
graduate of Yale, came to Sodue in 1823, and engaged in the practice of medicine. He
was known throughout the State as one of the leading Abolit'onists and temperance
workers of the day. He married, first, Dotia Merriman, by whom he had one- son, Levi
M., who studied medicine and located in Sodus where he died in 1890. Dr. Gaylord
married, second, Artimesa Squires. She studied medicine, and for many years enjoyed
an extensive practice. Dr. Gaylord died in 1852 and his wife in 1893, aged nearly
ninety-five. Their children were: Willis T., Charles D., Orrin F., Dotia C, Artimesa
G., Cornelia M. and Sarah S. Dotia married S. P. Hulett ; Artimesa married Alfred P.
Crafts and settled in Wolcott ; Cornelia married Prof. S. D. Hillman of Carlisle, Pa.;
Sarah married a Mr. West of this town; Willis T. on arriving at manhood became a
clerk, and in 1851 engaged in the dry goods trade in Sodus, and throughout his long
and successful business career has maintained a reputation for the utmost integrity.
He is a prominent member and officer of the Presbyterian Church, with which he has
been identified over forty years. He married first, Elizabeth Langdon, and had two
children : Carlton D. and Elizabeth H, In 1864 he married, second, Mary Preston, by
whom he had three children : only Willis T. surviving. Charles D. Gaylord moved to
Lyons on arriving at manhood, where he held a clerkship. In 1855 he went to Mil-
waukee, where until 1861 he conducted a hardware business. Returning to Sodus he
engaged in the same line until 1881, when he retired and was succeeded by his son,
Frank D. In that year, with S. P. Hulett, he established the banking house of Hulett
& Gaylord, which partnership was severed by the death of Mr. Hulett in 1884, and
Mr. Gaylord has since continued the business alone. He was supervisor in 1876, is a
member of Sodus Lodge No. 392, F. & A. M. and of Wayne Chapter, and also belongs
to the R. T. of T., and has been a prominent member and officer of the Presbyterian
286 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
Church for over twenty years. In 1857 he married Jennie R. Gay lord of Lima, and
their children are: Frank D., Charles F. and Dora T. Orrin T. Gaylord settled in
< ►swego and was a partner for several years with Irwin Sloane & Co. and later a mem-
ber of the firm of Gaylord, Downey & Co., extensive grain dealers of that city.
Gulick, Charles L., was born in Sodus, Wayne county, September 13, 1848, was edu-
cated it) the common schools, and has always followed farming. January 1, 1872, he
married Amelia M. Fredenburgh of Arcadia, by whom he had four children : Ollie M.,
Benjamin A., who died aged thirteen; Kingsley S. and Seaman EL Mr. Gulick's father,
Amos, wa< born in Columbia county May 10, 1820, was educated in the schools of his
day, and was also a farmer. November 3, 1845, he married Mary E. Lord of Sodus,
and they have three children, Mary A., Charles L., as above and Martha J. The par-
ents are now residing at the old home in Sodus. Mrs. Gulick's father, Benjamin F.
Fredenburgh, was born in Columbia county June 1, 1S29, and came to this town with
his parents when a child. He married Adelia Van Inwagen, formerly of Tompkins
county and they had four children: Esbon K., Aurelia M., as above; Milton E., and
Ellsworth II., who died in infancy. Mr. Fredenburgh died in 1891.
Gifford, John P., was born in Saratoga county January 20, 1833, was educated in
the common schools, and has always followed farming. March 17, 1868, he married
Sarah W. Spier of Lyons, and they have four children : Rowland S., Helen A., Emma
M. and Evelyn. The son is a farmer with his father; Emma M. is a student in the
State Normal School at Geneseo; Helen A. is a teacher in the Union School and Acad-
emy at Newark, and Evelyn attends the district school. Mr. Gilford's father, Rowland
S., was born in Columbia county in 1801, was educated in the schools of his day and
married Mahala Conant of his native county. They had two children : James W., who
is a farmer in the town, and John P., as above noted. He died in 1858, and his wife
in 1887. Mrs. Gifford's father, Daniel Spear, was born in Columbia county in 1809.
He married Sarah Bristol of his native place, and they had five children. He died in
1867, and his wife in 1885. The ancestry of the family is English.
Galusha, Robert M., was born on the homestead, three miles west of Newark village
August 25, 1812. He was educated in the common schools, and was a farmer until he
went to the war. October 5, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, 8 h Calvary, N. Y. S.
Volunteers, and was engaged in all the battles with his regiment until he was honorably
discharged on account of disability January 15, 1863. He re-enlisted January 5, 1864,
in Second Mounted Rifles, was wounded before Petersburg, and was honorably dis-
charged in August, 1S65. Upon his return home he became a clerk in a general hard-
ware store in Rochester for six years. He married twice, first September 5, 1866.
Delia M. Orcott, by whom he has three children : Georgiana, who married John Lippett
and has one child, Charles F.; Fisher M. and Charles F., who married Belle George of
East Newark. For his second wife Mr. Galusha married Nettie De Boufer, formerly of
Holland, and they have two children : E. Fidelia and Hiram H. Subject has been a
farmer for twelve years, and now resides on the homestead. Mr. Galusha's father,
Abram F., was born in Florida, Montgomery county, August 5, 1808. He was edu-
cated in the common schools and came to Western New York in 1827, and located first
in Lockport, N. Y., where he remained until 1831. February 8, 1831, he married
Esther McCullum of Manchester, Ontario county, and they had five children ; Mariette,
Susan F., Hiram M., Robert M. and Esther F. He moved to Sodus in 1832, and to
this homestead in 1836. He died January 4, 1894, and his wife September 25, 1875.
Gordon, Hiram, was born in Phelps December 18, 1815, the seventh of ten children
of William and Phoebe Gordon, he of Saratoga county, and she of New Jersey. They
came to Benton and then to Phelps, and in 1818 came to Galen, where Mr. Gordon died
in 1830, aged fifty-five, and his wife in 1852, aged seventy-four years. Subject was
reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He followed farming till thirty
FAMILY SKETCHES. 287
years old, when he went into a glass factory and worked in Clyde eight years, Redwood
eleven years, and Oswego six vears. He then came on the farm he owns of seventy-
five acres in Rose, where he follows general farming. He has been a member of the
M. E. Church many years. He has married twice, first Clarinda Kirkland, by whom
he had three children, one died in infancy; Martha and Harriet, both deceased. Mrs.
Gordon died in 1855, and in 1857 he married Anna Arnold, who died in 1889.
Granger Sprague S., was born in Sodus April 10, 1849, a son of Thomas J., who set-
tled in the town of Sodus when a young man, the land then being unbroken forest. He
cleared and brought under cultivation several farms, and in 1869 came to Sodus village
to reside, where he was for many years engaged in the manufacture of fanning mills.
He belonged to the Masonic fraternity, Sodus Lodge. He married Sativa Negus, and
had these children : George, who settled in Sodus, where he is engagpd in the manu-
facture of fanning mills, etc., and who married Lama Pulver; Harriet A., who married
Hezekiah Lake; Samuel, who died young, and Sprague S., who settled in Sodus and
established a lumber yard, carried on a saw and planing mill, and was engaged in the
manufacture of fanning mills, sash, doors and blinds, etc., carrying on for several years
an extensive business. He was also engaged in basket manufacturing. He takes a
keen interest in political affairs, having served as commissioner of highways, etc. He
is a member of Sodus Grange, No. 392, F. & A. M., and Wayne Chapter. In 1872 he
married Alice E. Wride of Sodue, and they have one daughter, Bessie W.
Goseline, Peter, was born in Phelps April 5, 1835. His father, Joseph P., was a
prominent farmer in his town. Peter was educated in the common schools, to which
he has added through life by reading and close observation. At the age of twenty-two
he married Hannah J., daughter of John Lawrence of Galen, and they are the parents
of two children: James L., and Mrs. Lilly M. Miller. In 1869 he bought the John
Roys property of fifty-four acres, raising fruit, hay, grain and stock. Our subject is
identified in advancing the best interests of his town and in the leading events of the
day, taking an intelligent interest in educational and religious matters, and is recognized
as a man of sterling integrity and moral worth.
Field, Warren A., was born in Sodus Point in 1840, and is a son of Rodolphus, whose
father was Wells Field. This family traces its ancestry back to Sir John Field, who
came from England to Plymouth, Mass., in 1620. Rodolphus served in the war of
1812, being at the battle of Plattsburgh, etc. At the close of the war he settled in
Utica, and in 1818 removed to Sodus, where he died October 11, 1880. In 1815 he
married Rachael, daughter of Aaron and Susan (Watkins) Williams of Utica, by wbom
he had these children : Lurancy, William W., Elizabeth, Charles, Morris, Oliver C,
Mariah, Cleason, Catharine C, Warren A., Mary and Rodolphus, besides two who died
young. Warren settled in Sodus Point, and at the age of fifteen years became a sailor;
and with short exceptions, he has spent his life in this service on the lakes. He is
captain and owner of the steamer Sunbeam, and has also real estate interest at Sand
Point. For several years he conducted a store at Sodus Point, and was also partner in
a planing mill there. He is a member of Sodus Bay Yacht Club. He married Almina
Harroun, and they have two children : Alvin and Cora, wife of Aaron Shufelt of Sodus
Point.
Fish, Capt. Chauncey, was born in Williamson, January 22, 1828. He is the second
of nine children of Thomas and Sarah (Gallop) Fish, he a native of Amherst, born
March 7, 1795, and she born July 13, 1778. They came to Williamson in 1810. Mr.
Fish was in the War of 1812. Chauncey married March 27, 1844, Phoebe J., daughter
of John and Phoebe Cottrell, of Williamson, N. Y., and they have nine children : Myron
M., John J., Mary E., William W., Delphine, Thomas J., Charles W.. Recruit L., and
Myron E. Myron M. was killed in the battle of Winchester, Va., September 19, 1864.
John J. was also in the late war and died in 1869. Mr. Fish enlisted in Company B,
288 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Ninth N. Y. Heavy Artillery, August 6, 1862, and served three years. He was first
sergeant when the company was organized and held the positions of second lieutenant, first
lieutenant, captain and major by brevet. He was at Cold Harbor, Monocacy Junction,
Winchester, Ya., Cedar Creek, Ya., Sayler Run, Ya., Appomatox. Mr. Fish is a mem-
ber of G. A. R., Myron M. Fish Post No. 406, Department of N.Y., and is a member of
the M. E. Church.
Frey, Philip, was born in Alsace, France (now Germany), May 18, 1831, and came to
the United States with his parents in June, 1846, locating first in Geneva and then set-
tled in Lyons. He was a cooper by trade, but is now a farmer. July 16, 1859, he
married Catherine Correll, of Huron, and they have had six children: Emma B.,
George P., Carrie S., all deceased ; William L., Daniel L. C. and Belle Y. They reside
at home. George died March 10, 1891 ; Emma B., died October 15,1893; and Carrie
S., July 29, 1867. Mrs. Frey's father, Frederick Correll, was born in Germany and
married Susan Hoover. They had eight sons and three daughter. They came to the
United States in 1841. . He died in 1859, and his wife in 1874. The family are mem-
bers of the Presbyterian Church at Fairville.
Finley, Luther, was born in Walworth, Wayne county April 29, 1824. His parents
moved to this town when he was nine years of age. Upon the death of his parents he
came to reside with his sister, where he attended school. At the age of nineteen he
began business on his own account, owning a stage route from Phelps to Palmyra, do-
ing much of the driving and managing of same. At this time he formed a co-partner-
ship with a Mr. Ingersoll in the livery business at Phelps, which continued seven years.
In 1841 he came again to Newark and began to run omnibuses for passengers and bag-
gage to what is now known as the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. station at Newark, carrying
the U. S. mails since he was nineteen, which now extends to three railroad lines and
stations. In 1853 he married Mary W. Gould, of Phelps, Ontario county, and they had
three daughters, Ella S., who married W. W. Wheatly, of New York; Minnie, who
died at the age of two years; and Laura B., who is house- keeper for her father. Mr.
Finley's father, Nathan, was born at the old home in 1793. He married Abigail South-
worth of his native place, and they had four children, Cordelia, Laura, Luther, and Ann
E. He died in 1833 and his wife February 26, 1878.
Frey, Leonard, was born in Wurtemburg. Germany, May 11, 1833. He was edu-
cated in their schools, learned the blacksmith's trade, and came to the United States in
1856. He married twice, first Catrina Roesch of his native place, by whom he had six
children. Two are deceased, the others are : Charles, a produce dealer and married
twice, first Mary Fuller and had two daughters, Ora M. and Lillie; and second Grace
Jenkins; Lois, Leonard, jr., who is a cigar manufacturer and married Betsey Rikeman ;
and Frederick, who is also a cigar maker. Mrs. Frey died April 7, 1888, mourned by a
bereaved husband and family. He married second November 30, 1891, Mrs. Minnie
(Huss) Young. She had three children by her first marriage, Emma, Frederick and
Charles, who died August 30, 1894, aged ten years. Mr. Frey carried on blacksmithing
several years, and has been a hotel keeper thirteen years. He erected a fine hotel at
East Newark last spring, which he is now conducting.
Fisk, H. Hudson, was born in Arcadia, two and one-half miles south of Newark July
19, 1849, was educated in the common and Union Schools and Academy of Newark.
The early part of his life was spent on the homestead farm. He also taught school
several years, and was principal of the Union School and Academy here six years. In
November, 1885, he became a newspaper man, purchasing the Newaik Union, which
he has conducted since with success, as proprietor, editor and publisher. Mr. Fisk's
father, Lonson, was born in Saratoga county February 11, 1811. June 14, 1832, he
married Adelia Wells, of the town of Manchester, who was born March 1, 1812. They
had nine children, George W.. Samuel, Willis P., William H., A. Judson and H. Hudson
FAMILY SKETCHES. 289
(twins), Jennie, Frances A., and Belle. Mr. Fisk died December 19, 1885, and his wife
July 27, 1888. The family came to reside in this town in 1823.
Filkins, William J., was born in Columbia county, August 8, 1818. His father was
Jacob Filkins, a son of Isaac, a native of Holland, who came to America soon after the
close of the Revolution, and settled in Rensselaer county, N. Y. Langdon and John,
sons of Isaac, served in the war of 1812, one of them being a captain. Jacob came
from Columbia county in 1821 to Yates county, settling in Benton, and the next year
moved to Barrington, where he remained until 1828, then came to Wayne county,
buying a farm in the town of Sodus, and becoming one of the most prosperous farmers
in the town. He died in Sodus in 1854. He was a man of strict integrity and of sound
judgment, taking an active part in political affairs and holding various offices in the
town. He married Sarah Stinehart, and their children were : Elizabeth, who married
Madison Stever, of Arcadia; Catharine, who married Peter A. Whitbeck, of Arcadia ;
Alonzo, who settled in Montgomery, 111.; Francis, who settled in Phelps, where he died
June 23, 1889 ; Edwin B. Filkins was born in Columbia county in 1826, settled on the
homestead in Sodus, and married Elizabeth A., daughter of James S. R. Sanford, of
Palmyra, and they had two children : Chloe, who married Irving Waterbury, of Newark ;
and Louisa, who died in early womanhood ; William J. Filkins settled in Sodus, near
the old home, and married Mary, daughter of George Van Hoesen, of Arcadia. Their
children are : G-eorge H., of Lyons, who married Hannah Mackey ; Caroline, wife of Dr.
T. L. St. John, of Center Brunswick, Rensselaer county ; William F., of Sodus ; and
Emma E., wife of Herbert Lincoln, of Arcadia. William J. has always taken a prom-
inent part in local politics, and has served as superintendent of schools for two years,
as teacher for seven terms, assessor, overseer of the poor, etc. He is a prominent and
active member of the M. E. church of Sodus, with which he has been connected for
over forty years. He is also a charter member of the Grange at Sodus, of which he has
been lecturer and master. For several years he was a director of the Fire Relief Associa-
tion of Wayne county.
Fleming, William, was born in Dansville, Pa., August 8, 1815, and came to this town
with his parents at the age of seven years. His education was obtained in the common
schools, and he has had several occupations, but has followed farming and fruit-growing
chiefly. In 1837 he married Catherine Rowe, of this town, who died in 1872. For his
second wife he married Mrs. Louisa M. Morgan, who died in 1874. His third marriage
was in 1875, to Mrs. Evelin Hooker, of Lyons, and they have one daughter, Clara M.,
who married Charles Daley, of Syracuse. Mr. Fleming has resided in this town seventy-
two years. Mrs. Fleming's first husband was Thomas Hooker, of Lyons, who enlisted
immediately after his marriage in Company D, 111th N. Y. Vols., and died in Ander-
sonville prison in 1864.
Emery, Walter, the first of the family to settle in Wayne county, came from Penn-
sylvania to Huron in 1832 and engaged in farming. He afterward removed to Sodus
and was manager of the Shaker tract for several years. He now resides at Alton.
He was deputy sheriff under Sheriff Paddock, and for six years highway commissioner.
He is a leading member and one of the founders of the M. E. church at Alton. He
married Arloa Craig, and they have two sons, George, and Charles, who resides at
Alton and was postmaster there during Harrison's administration. He has taught school
at Alton since 1885, and married Ada Bockhoven. George has been principally eDgaged
in teaching, having taught every winter since 1869, twenty-three consecutive terms at
Alton. Since 1885 he has been principal of the school at Sodus Point. He was ap-
pointed postmaster at Alton in 1877, and held the same for eight years, assessor one
term, justice of the peace since 1878. He was deputy sheriff during Parshali's term,
and in 1885 was a prominent candidate for county superintendent of the poor. In
1893 he was appointed clerk of the Legislative Investigating Committee at Albany, and
290 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
in 1890 was appointed inspector of customs at Sodus Point, which office he held until
1894. For seven years he was in the mercantile trade at Alton. He is a member of
Sodus Sodus Lodge No. 504, I. 0. 0. F., and married Alice Philo, of Sodus.
Eggleston, Henry, was born in Phelps, March 22, 1842, and received his education in
the common schools and the Union School of Phelps. April 22, 1861, he enlisted in
Company H, 33d N. Y. Inf., and May 5, 1862, was taken prisoner and sent to Libby
Prison, from which he was paroled on March 22, and honorably discharged from the
service. About 1865 the family moved to the town of Arcadia, and January 11, 1867,
he married Helen Daniels, of Arcadia, by whom he has two children, George W., and
Lillian. The former is a clerk in the wholesale department of Barnes, Hengerer& Co.,
of Buffalo, and the latter has for the past three years been in the employ of the First
National Bank of Newark, first as clerk, then assistant cashier, and on December 1,
1893, she was appointed notary public by Governor Flower. Chauncey, father of Mr.
Eggleston, was born January 11, 1811, and married Betsey Greer, of Cayuga county.
Of their nine children seven survived: Casadana, Henry, Jesse W., Parmelia, Oliver A,
Minnie, and Marshall The father died in 1889, and his widow survives, residing with
her son. Mrs. Eggleston is a daughter of George W. Daniels, born in Arcadia in 1823,
who married Rhoda Ennis, by whom he had two children, Hiram and Helen. He died
in 1876. Elisha Eggleston, our subject's grandfather, served in the Revolution. Henry
Eggleston is a member of the G. A. R., Vosburg Post, and Mrs. Eggleston is a charter
member of the Woman's Relief Corps.
Drake, Harry R., was born in East Newark, N.Y., April 20, 1851, was educated in
the Union School and Academy, and taught school for several years. He has also been
engaged in the grocery trade, and is now a manufacturer of eyelet ended wood pulp
butter dishes, paper boxes, egg case fillers, etc. In 1870 he married Eliza Mumford, and
had one daughter, Frances E., now Mrs. L. G. Baldwin, of Newark. Mrs. Drake died
in 1874, and he married, in 1880, Mary A. Fowlerton, of Wolcott. They have two
sons: Albert R. and Charles H. Mr. Drake's father, Leroy, was born in the town of
Lyons, July 20, 1829, and during his later years sold canal supplies at the upper lock.
He married Eliza D. Lamereaux, of East Newark, and they had two sons : Harry R.,
and Nelson D. Mr. Drake died in 1864, and his widow married, second, Frank H.
Spoor, who is now an engineer, and was a soldier in the late war, having enlisted in
1861 in the Sturgis Rifles, in Chicago, 111. He was honorably discharged in 1865, at
the close of the war. after having been twice wounded. Mrs. Spoors sister, Sally
Lamereaux, married Reuben Berry, who was born in Columbia county, and came here
with his parents when two years old. In early life he was a farmer, and earned a com-
petency. Both he and wife are living, and devote their time to many kind deeds,
smoothing the way for those less fortunately situated than they are, Aunt Sally's name
being a household word in town. The Lamereaux family are of French extraction,
having descended from the Huguenots, who came here in the seventeenth century.
Dillenbeck, John, was born in Steuben county, N. Y., December 4, 1838, and moved
here in 1856, and the family two years later. He was educated in the public schools
and became clerk in a general store. In 1868 he began business for himself, having
bought his brother Adam's general store at East Newark. He also has a farm and is
building a modern malt house with a capacity of 100,000 bushels. He has been post-
master thirty years, also president of the village one year. He was married twice,
first, in 1866, to Ella Todd, of Albany, who died in 1868, and in 1869 he married
Augusta Belden, of Arcadia. They had one son, John A., jr., who died at the age of
four years. Mr. Dillenbeck's father was Michael, born in Palatine, Montgomery
county, in 1806. He was a farmer, hotel keeper, and contractor and builder. He
married Phoebe Neir, of that county, and they had seven children : Michael, who died
in infancy; Henry, Joshua, Margaret. Adam, John, as above, and Arie. Mr. Dillen-
FAMILY SKETCHES. 291
beck died about the year 1840, and his wife in 1887. The ancestry of this family is
German and Scotch.
Dewey, James S., was born in Chittenango, Madison county, September 6, 1835,
and was educated in the public schools. He moved with his parents to Waterloo,
Seneca county, when a boy, and was a wagon wheel finisher by occupation. He en-
listed twice, first April 26, 1861, in Company G, 33d Inf., N. Y. S. Vols, serving two
years. After his discharge in June, 1863, he re-enlisted in Company K, 1st Veteran
Cavalry, N.Y.S.Vols., and participated in all the battles, was honorably discharged July
20, 1865, at Camp Piatt, West Virginia. In July, 1863, he married Helen Baber, of
Waterloo, and they have two daughters: Haitie L. and Bertha R. Mr. Dewey's
father, Henry, was born in Wellsville, Oneida county, in 1811. He married twice, first,
Mary Ann Sherman, of his native place, and they had one son, James S.r as above.
Mrs. Dewey died and he married again and moved to Waterloo. Mr. Dewey's grand-
father, Sherman, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Dewey is assistant
engineer in the State Custodial Asylum at Newark, and a member of Vosburg Post
No. 99, G.A.R., department of New York.
Dickson, William, was born in Hopewell, Ontario county, was educated in the com-
mon schools, and is a farmer. December 19, 1863, he enlisted in Company F, 2d
Mounted Rifles, N.Y.S.Vols , was wounded before Petersburg and wounded a second
time in the explosion of the mine, losing his right arm. In March, 1867, he married
Christina Weaver, of this town, and they have two children: Etta, who married
Franklin W. Rasch ; and William T., a farmer with his father. Mrs. Dickson's father,
Jacob Weaver, was born in Halltown Springs, Dutchess county, in 1812, and came to
Sodus with his parents when a boy. He married Sylvanna Hiscroadt, of his native
county, and they had eight children : Homer, Lydia, Lewis, Christina, as above ; Esther,
Jacob, and twins not named. Mrs. Dickson's brother, Lewis, was a soldier in Company
F., 2d Mounted Rifles, and died in the service at City Point. Mr. Weaver died March
16, 1890, and his wife March 3, 1886. Mr. Dickson was honorably discharged from
Mount Pleasant Hospital, Washington, D.C., February 17, 1865. He is a member of
Vosburg PostlSlo. 99, G.A.R., department of New York. William T. is a member of
E. K. Burnham Camp No. 14, S.O.V., Newark. The ancestry of the family is Scotch
and German
Dufloo, William, was born in Holland in 1850, son of William, sr., who came to
America in 1852 and settled in New Jersey, where he lived until 1857, when he came
to Rochester and the following year settled in Sodus, where he died in 1868. He
married Catherine Israel, and their children were : Catherine, who married Charles
Shepard, of Sodus; Frances, who married Peter Clicqumnoi, of Williamson; Sarah,
who married Josiah Buckler, of Sodus ; Josephine, who married William Harris, of
Lyons ; Bigelow, who is a farmer in Sodus, he married Emma Weeks ; Delia, who mar-
ried John Nolan, of Pennsylvania, and resides at Groton, N.Y.; and William who is a
farmer. He is a member of Sodus Lodge No. 392, F. & A. M., and Sodus Grange.
He married, December 25, 1871, Magdalene Buckler, and their children are: Willis
W.; Elizabeth, Ada B., Florence C. and J. Roscoe.
De Right, Samuel H., was born in Williamson, Wayne county, October 13, 1849.
Edwin De Right, his father, was a native of Holland and came to America about 1840
and settled in the town of Williamson. He is a prosperous and thrifty farmer, owning
a farm of 280 acres. About 1880 he settled in Marion where he died in 1891. He was
a prominent member of the Presbyterian church of Marion. He married Margaret Laco
and their children were : Adrian, who settled on the homestead and was engaged in
farming until 1893, when he settled in Williamson village. He married Mary Leroy ;
Harmon M., wno married Mary De Lass ; Daniel, who settled in Marion and is a farmer.
He married Libbie Brown ; Jesse B., who is a carpenter and builder in Williamson and
292 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
married Sarah Hise ; Henry, who settled in Marion and is a farmer; and Samuel H.,
who settled in Sodus in 1868 and in 1873 purchased the James Case farm north of Sodus
village ; and is one of the thrifty and enterprising farmers of the town. He is a mem-
ber of Sodus Lodge No. 392, F. & A. M., Sodus Grange and the Sodus Presbyterian
church. He married in 1871 Mary J. Qbine, and their children are : Maggie M., Katie
B., Nellie and Samuel J.
Chapman, William A., was born in Onondaga county, September 13, 1827, a son of
Simeon B. Chapman, who was a native of Connecticut, coming to Onondaga county in
1806, at the age of twelve years. He there took up farming, where he owned 300
acres, and died in this county at the age of seventy-two. In 1821 he married Hulda A.
Beach, of Onondaga county, and of their eight children our subject was the third.
William A. has spent his life in farming, and now owns 111 acres of cleared land. He
makes a specialty of sheep raising, and also owns some blooded stock in Merino sheep.
In 1885 he married Jane Moses, and they have had five children, one being deceased,
Mrs. Sawyer. Mr. Chapman is a Republican.
Champlin, George W., was born in Sodus in 1817, and is a son of Charles Champlin.
They trace their ancestry back to Colonel Champlin, who came from France in an early
day and settled in New England. Charles Champlin came from Vermont about 1815
and took up 100 acres of land southeast of Sodus Centre. He died in 1819. He mar-
ried Eunice Abbey, and had four children : John, who died in Sodus unmarried ; Charles,
who settled at Williamsonville, Erie county, where he died leaving two sons, Charles and
John, both of whom are physicians ; George W. and William, who are farmers and
settled on the homestead. William married first Caroline Johnson and they had two
sons George and Frank ; and second Sarah Whiting, by whom he also had two sons
John and Willis. George W. Champlin married Mary, daughter of Jonas Whiting, and
their children are: William W., Ella A. (Mrs. W. A. Thorne, of Rochester, N. Y.) ;
Jennie E., Edwin A., who settled in Charlotte, N. Y. ; and Charles E. Jonas Whiting,
the first of the family in Wayne county, was a son of John Whiting whose father came
from England. Jonn Whiting settled in Phelps in an early day. Jonas came to Huron
about 1825, and purchasing a farm erected a saw mill and cloth dressing establishment,
which he carried on for many years. Later in life he settled in Sodus, where he died.
He married Sarah A. Guest and their children were : Mary, who married George W.
Champlin, of Sodus ; Caroline, who married James Hewson, of Huron ; William settled
at Wallington, and for many years was in the mercantile trade, and with Lewis Bates
was engaged for a time in the produce business. He died in 1873 ; John and Jonas
both died in the army during the Rebellion ; Charles settled at Geneva ; Sarah married
William Champlin, of Sodus ; Cordelia married William McDowell, and Elizabeth mar-
ried G. Washington Dennis.
Cull, William C, was born in Arcadia, January 28, 1836, was educated in the com-
mon schools, and is one of the town's best farmers. He married twice, first Celia Krune
formerly of Columbia county, who died November 26, 1867, and December 15, 1869, he
married second Mrs. Phoebe (Penoyer) Wilcox, of this town, formerly of Columbia
county. They have three children : Adelbert P., who is the farmer at home ; Herschel
J., who is a student in the Cazenovia Seminary, and Eunice M. Mrs. Cull had one
daughter by her first husband, Louisa M., who is a dressmaker at Sodus. Mr. Cull's
father, Charles, was born in Tusksbury, England, May 24, 1799, and was a carpenter
and joiner by occupation. November 4, 1820, he married Mary M. Buckle in Worcester,
England, and they had six children : Charles, Thomas, Mary M., James, Philip T., and
William O, as above. The family came to the United States as early as 1832. He died
February 26, 1879, and his wife October 8, 1881, aged eighty-eight" years. Mr. Cull is
the only survivor of his father's family. Mrs. Cull's father, John Penoyer, was born in
Columbia county May 5, 1802. He married Eunice Sims, of his native place, by whom
he had five children. The ancestry of this family is English, Scotch and Dutch.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 293
Carpenter, Orville, was born in Sodus in 1820. and is a son of Silas Carpenter,, whose
father came from Germany aud settled at Oppenheim, Rensselaer county. In 1812
Silas Carpenter removed to Wayne county and settled in Marion, where he purchased
a tract of land. He soon removed to Sodus, settling north of the Ridge and a year or
two later took up a farm south of the Ridge, where he spent the remainder of his life.
He married Phoebe, daughter of Edward Penny, a Revolutionary soldier, and their
children were Asahel, who settled in Pennsylvania; Edward, who removed to Michi-
gan early in life ; Minerva, who married Nelson Winston and settled in Pennsylvania;
Robert settled in Sodus and is a farmer. He married Betsey Brown ; Charles settled
on the homestead and was a farmer. He married Bathia Skinkle ; Harriet married
Charles Allen of Sodus ; Phoebe married a Mr. Skidmore and settled in Michigan ;
Cornelia married a Mr. Johnson and also settled in Michigan. Orville Carpenter settled
in Sodus where he has always lived. He has held the office of poormaster, has been
for over forty years a member of the Christian Church of Marion, and is a member of
the Sodus Grange. He married Emeline, daughter of Samuel Snyder of Sodus, and
they had two children Francis E. and Mary, Mrs. James Town of Sodus.
Cullen, Thomas, was born in Ireland in 1832, and came to Galen when about twenty-
one years of age. He owned several farms in Rose, and finally settled on the farm
where the family now reside in 1870, where he died in 1884. He married in Galen
Mary Dunn a native of Ireland, by whom he has eight children, of whom four are liv-
ing : Thomas, born in 1867, educated in the common schools and follows farming ; Will-
iam, born February 28, 1869, educated in the common schools and Rochester Business
College. He is a farmer and resides at home ; John, born July 3, 1871, educated in the
common schools and resides at home. The family owns 100 acres, and follows general
farming.
Cronise, John S., was born in Arcadia, May 22, 1825, was educated in the Union
School and the Academy, and his early life was spent on his father's farm till the age
of twenty, when he went to Virginia, and managed a general store for his cousin in
Martinsburg, and another in Shepardstown. Returning to his native county he became
a clerk for Remsen and Polemus, of Lyons, remaining four years. In 1854 he opened
a hardware store at Newark, in company with A. T. Cressy, the firm being Cressy &
Cronise, which continued nine years. His wife's father, Joseph A. Miller, bought Mr.
Cressy 's interest, and the firm became Miller & Cronise. In 1884 the business was sold
to Frank Garlock, and he then retired from active business. In 1853 Mr. Cronise mar-
ried Maria A. Miller. Their children were : Mary L., Florence M., Joseph A., and two
who died in infancy. Mrs. Cronise died March 28, 1877, and he married, second, Anna
A. Reed, of Newark. Henry, his father, was born in Frederick City, Md., July 20,
1789. and came here at an early day. Their mode of conueyance was a covered wagon
and a team, and Mr. Cronise carried a rifle and hunted, thus furnishing provisions for
his family along the route. His marriage occurred February 14, 1813, to Polly Sover
hill, of this town, by whom he had eight children: John 1st, who died aged eight;
Sally M., Simon, Henry, Susan E., John S., Catharine R., deceased, and Samuel. He
died June 16, 1870, and his wife June 6, 1877.
Crothers, Charles L., is a son of the late Lyman Crothers, who was born in Phelps,
March 23, 1814, educated in the common schools, and married, January 12, 1858, S.
Jane Ridley, of the town of Phelps, by whom he had five children : Clara, Charles L.,
Elmer, Homer A. and Mary A. Charles married Jennie Nicholoy, of Newark ; Mary
married William McCoy, of Syracuse. Lyman's father, William, was born in Scot-
land in 1784 and came to the United States at the age of thirteen. He married Eunice
Dunham, formerly of Massachusetts, and they had six children : Louisa, Lyman,
Sophia, Amanda, Oliver and Albert. Mrs. Crothers'sfather,Elihu Ridley, was also born
in the town of Phelps about 1810, and married Betsey Harmon of his native town, by
204 LANDMARKS OP WAYNE COUNTY.
whom he had nine children : Nathan S., Jane, David, Lydia, Charles, Mary, Charlotte,
Emma and Eva, the two latter twins. Mr. Ridley died in 1860 and his wife in 1888.
Budd, Gilbert, of Macedon, was born in the town of Sodus, February 5, 1818. His
father, John I. Budd, was a native of Rensselaer county, his occupation being farming.
He married Elizabeth Speckerman, and they were the parents of nine children. Gil-
bert Budd was the second child of this marriage. He has followed the occupation of
his father and is engaged in farming. In 1847 he married Marian M. Clark, and to them
was born one child — a daughter. Mr. Budd and family are faithful members of the
M. E. Church, and liberal contributors to that as well as to other charitable organiza-
tions, he having placed a fine bell at large cost upon the church. In politics he is a
Republican.
Botcher, Carl, was born in Mechlenburg, Germany, February 28, 1842, and came to
the United States with his parents at the age of twelve years. He located first at
Rochester, and in the spring of the following year came to Newark. November 16,
1865, he married Kate Bloom of Newark, formerly of Germany. They have two chil-
dren Hattie E., who married William Utter of this town, and has two daughters,
Helen A. and Gertrude F.; and Clarence G. Botcher, a farmer with his father. Carl,
sr., father of our subject, was born at the old home in Germany in 1807, and married
Mrs. Henrietta Schwartz, of his native place, and they had two sons ; Carl, jr., and
John, who was a soldier in the late war, having enlisted in the 148th N. Y. Volunteers,
and died in the South. Mr. Botcher died November 9, 1882, and his wife November
27, 1881. Conrad Bloom, father of Mrs. Botcher, was born in Germany in 1820, and
married Catharine Rowe, by whom he had six children : Kate, George, Frederick,
Elizabeth, Mary and William. He died in 1892, his widow surviving.
Burnett, the late Daniel, was born in Arcadia January 26, 1837, was educated in the
public schools and Sodus Academy, and was always a farmer. November 15, 1863, he
married Catherine M. Whitbeck of Sodus, by whom he had two children : W. Herbert,
who is the farmer for his mother, and Inez E., who married William H. Ryder. Mr.
Burnett died March 21, 1877, mourned by a bereaved wife and family. He was a mem-
ber of the M. E. Church of Fairville. Mrs. Burnett's father, Andrew T. Whitbeck, was
born in Kinderhook, Columbia county, in 1808. He was educated in the schools of his
day, was a mechanic and farmer by occupation. He married Camelia Miller, of his
native place, by whom he had four children : Norman, John H., J. Franklin and Cath-
erine M., as above. They came to this county in 1834. Mr. Whitbeck was a leading
member of the M. E. Church, one of its stewards, and an efficient class leader. He
died February 20, 1858, and his wife August 5, 1876.
Barclay, William, the pioneer of the family in Wayne county, was of English descent.
He came from Staten Island prior to 1811 and settled in the town of Lyons. He
served for a time in the war of 1812. He married Martha Purlee, and they had sixteen
children. Abraham Barclay of Lyons and Henry of Sodus are the only ones living in
Wayne county. Barton Barclay, a brother of Abraham and Henry, settled in Lyons,
where he died, and another brother, Peter, settled in Sodus where he died. Henry
Barclay was born in Lyons in 1811. He learned the carpenters' trade, and followed
that business during his early life. He resided there until 1863, when he purchased a
farm in the southwest part of the town of Sodus, where he has since been engaged in
farming. He married Abbie Rossiter, and they had five children : Wallace, Melbern,
Agnes, Mary J. and Lucy. Wallace settled in Sodus and is a farmer. He married
Elizabeth Wright; Melbern settled in Sodus and is also a farmer. He married Martha
Milham; Agnes married Horace Welch and settled in Arcadia; Mary J. married Martin
Milham and settled in Marion; Lucy married Erastus Brownell and settled in Arcadia.
Barless, R. C, M.D., was born in Hoosac, N. Y., October 19, 1833, son of Andrew
and Jeanette Barless, he a native of Milton, Saratoga county, and she of Arlington, Vt.,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 295
who came to Rose in 1865, where he died January G, 1873, and his wife July 4, 1876-
He was a tailor by trade. Subject was reared in Arlington, Vt., and educated in that
place, White Creek and Sandy Creek, and began the study of medicine with Dr. A. L.
Thompson of Sandy Creek, Dr. Miller of Alexander, Genesee county, and also with G-.
D. Wheaton of Rose ; and took a course of lectures at Jefferson Medical College at
Philadelphia Pa. He enlisted August 22, 1862, in Company H, 9th N. Y. Heavy Artil-
lery as a member of the band, but acted as a physician. He was at Cold Harbor, Mon-
ocacy and Winchester. He returned to Rose, where he has since practiced his profes-
sion. He has been town clerk and justice of the peace, and is a member of the G. A.
R., Sherman Post, No. 401. He married July 6, 1855, Helen J. Thompson, a native
of Sandy Creek, and daughter of A. L. and Caroline L. Thompson, he a native of Scho-
harie county, and she of Hoosac, N. Y. He died in Troy in August, 1891, and his wife
February 17, 1853. Subject and wife have these children : Carrie, wife of M. Moulton
of Lockport, N. Y.; A. James, who died in infancy ; Charles J. and Clayton L. (twins),
born July 17, 1867, educated in Rose Union Schools, editors of Farmers' Counsel and
Times. Clayton J. married Jennie, daughter of Eugene Hickok, and they have one
daughter, Musett Adele. Mrs. Barless, wife of Clayton, died January 8, 1889. Clay-
ton married Lena Markham, by whom he has two children, Carrie M. and Gladys ;
Arthur T. who married Rose B. Colburn, and has one child, Mildre L., they live in
Sandy Creek; Elmer R., a piano tuner, at home. Subject has been a practicing pen-
sion attorney fourteen years.
Belden, Samuel P., was born in Sodus in 1831, and is a son of Riley Belden. He
came from Vermont about 1828 and for a year or two made his home in Sodus, prac-
ticing his profession of dentistry in Syracuse. He then removed to Michigan and a few
months later returned to Sodus, where he spent the remainder of his life practicing his
profession. He was a member of the Sodus M. E. Church and was one of the charter
members of Sodus Lodge F. & A. M. No. 392. He marrie I twice, first Louise Pullman
and they had one son, Samuel P.. and second Laura Carter, by whom he had two sons,
Riley B" and Francis W. Mr. Belden died in 1869. Riley B. Belden settled in Sodus
where he died. He was for several years engaged in teaching and afterward in the
fruit and produce business. Francis W. settled in Penn Y^an. Samuel P. Belden set-
tled in Sodus and is engaged in farming and fruit growing. He is a member of the
Sodus Lodge F. & A. M. He married Elizabeth A. Wares and their children are, Jen-
nie L. (Mrs. Charles W. Pease, of Williamson), and Mary D.
Bartleson, Peter, was born in Holland in 1840, came to America in 1868, and settled
in Sodus village. In 1884 he purchased a farm at Sodus Centre, where he has since
lived. He is a member of Sodus Grange and Sodus Centre Presbyterian Church. He
married in 1869 Allie Mayhen, and their children are, Cornelius, Mary, Maggie, Nellie,
John, Peter, Kittie, Carrie, James, and Frank. Maggie married Frank Robinson; John
married Lizzie Terncisse.
Butts, Porter B., was born in Pompey, Onondaga county, February 25, 1838, a son
of Lyman Butts, whose father was Jabez, of Scotch and English ancestry. Lyman
came to Wayne county in 1838, residing in Savannah several years, then removing to
Cortland county, where he lived till 1856, when he bought a farm in the town of Sodus
near Joy and spent the rest of his life. He was a prominent man in the town, a strong
anti- slavery advocate, and active in political affairs. He married Sarah, daughter of
Pliny Porter, of Onondaga county, and their children were : Susan, who married Gen.
A. J. Warner, and settled in Mariette, 0. ; Helen M. who married Selden Granger, and
settled in Cleveland, 0. ; Henry H., who enlisted in the army, and died in the service ;
George C, who settled in Mariette, 0.; Frank L., who settled on the homestead; and
Porter P. The latter from 1857 to 1862 was engaged as a teacher in Pennsylvania, but
in the latter year settled in Sodus, where he bought a farm south of the village, where
296 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
he resides. He is a member of Sodus Grange, and of the Presbyterian Church. Mr.
Butts married Anna, daughter of Jacob Andrews, of Sodus, and their children are :
Watson A., who settled at Fulton ; Henry P., and Raymond K.
Brower, Aldice W., was born near Sodus Centre December 23, 1844, and is a son of
Myron, whose father, Peter Brower, was a native of New Jersey, his ancestors having
come from Holland. He settled at Phelps, N. Y., ai aq early day and about 1825, and
purchased a farm about a mile south of Sodus Centre where he engaged in farming.
He served in the War of 1812. He was one of the leading members of the Sodus Cen-
tral Baptist Church, of which he was deacon. He married Betsey Van Dusen at Phelps;
and their children were, Cynthia, who married John Van Duzer and settled in Sodus ;
John was a miller and settled in Michigan, but later returned to Sodus where he died,
Aaron settled in Sodus ; Jane married Thomas Hopkins, of Sodus. Myron Brower settled
in'Sodus and was a farmer. He married Mary Taylor, and they had these children, Aldice
W.. Mary E., who married Walter Thornton of Sodus, and Bell, who married Charles
Steel. Aldice W. was engaged in farming until 1872, when he became agent of the
railroad at Sodus Centre, which position he still holds. In 1881 he built a warehouse
there, and has since engaged in produce business. He has been justice of the peace
four years, and for several years has been notary public. In February, 1873, he was
appointed postmaster at Sodus Centre and held that office till July, 1893. He is a
member of Sodus Lodge No. 392 F. & A. M., Wayne Chapter and Zenobia Com-
mandary, No. 41 of Palmyra. In December of 1863 he enlisted in the 9th N. Y.
Heavy Artillery and served until the close of the war. He is a charter member of
Dwight Post G-. A. R. of Sodus. He married in 1869 Urania Dennis, of Sodus.
Boyce, Isaac, was born in Rose Junly 27, 1837, son of Stephen and Mary A.
Boyce, he a native of Madison county and she of Wayne county. The paternal
grandfather of subject was Robert Boyce, a native of Jefferson county and one of the
early settlers of Wayne county, where he died. The maternal grandfather, Nathan
Jeffers, was one of the first settlers of Rose, where he died. The father of subject
came to Rose when he was sixteen years of age and here resided until 1859, when he
went to Michigan where he now lives. Mrs. Boyce died in September, 1891. Subject
was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He has always been
a farmer, has 128 acres, and follows general farming. Mr. Boyce married in 1871
Laney, daughter of Peter Ream, of Rose, and they have two sons, Charles and John
both of home.
Brant Family, The. — The first of this family to settle in Wayne county was Peter,
who came from Columbia county in an early day and settled near Sodus Ridge, later
buying land just west of Sodus Center. He served in the War of 1812, was a prosper-
ous farmer, and took an active interest in local affairs. He married Jane La Farge, and
their children were: John, Margaret, Egbert, and Mary. Margaret married John Meirs,
of Sodus; Mary married Randall Aiken, of Sodus ; Egbert settled in Sodus, and was a
farmer. Later he removed to Lyons, where he died. John Brant settled on a farm
west of Sodus, where he spent his life. He married Esther Underdonk, and their chil-
dren were ; Flora, deceased, who married C. T. Bennett ; Jennie, Myron, Frank, John
and Louise (Mrs. Riley Marchant, of Lyons). Myron is in the hotel business at Rose
Valley ; Frank and John reside on the old homestead and are farmers. Andrus Under-
donk was among the earliest settlers of Sodus, whence he came from Rockland county,
prior to 1812. He was a prosperous farmer and an upright citizen. He married Maria
Smith, and had these children: Abraham, John, Betsey, Esther, Maria and Sarah.
Blackmar, Ransom and Esbon, came to Newark in the fall of 1826. The former died
December 31, 1841, and Esbon November 19, 1857. A. T. came in 1833 and Orrin in
the spring of 1835. Their father, Abel, died March 18. 1843, and their mother February
14, 1861. The- family ancestry is from England. Sir Henry Blackmar came here and
f
FAMILY SKETCHES. 297
bought about one-third of the State of Rhode Island and part of his descendants after-
ward settled in Connecticut, from which place they removed to Greene county. When
Ransom and Bsbon came to Newark they engaged in general merchandise buying grain,
boat-building, and shipping grain on the canal. Their first boat was named the R. E.
Blackmar; the county was settled by eastern people, and when they visited relatives in
the East it was customary to go in neighborhood parties, and go with some favorite
captain of the boat which they selected and have a good social time, as the forward
part of the canal boats were finished in cabins for passengers, the back of the boat for
cooking and the accommodation of the crew, and the center for freight. The capacity for
grain was about 600 bushels and Albany was the chief market in the Ea*t. Colonel
Bartle was then doing business in Newark (formerly called Miller's Basin) associated
with Mr. Norton, of Phelps, under the firm name of Bartle, Norton & Co., who had ex-
tensive mills and shipped their flour at Newark. Most of the farmers who first settled
in Arcadia had little means, and usually came with a young wife and children to seek
their fortune in what was then known as the far west. They took up land from the
land office in Geneva, making a small payment and trusting to their industry for a future
home. The merchants and grain buyers had their nearest banking accom'modat'ons at
the Geneva Bank, at Geneva, and the merchants were the father bankers for the
farmers, making them loans to pay their interest and payments at the land office, and
selling them dry goods and groceries on one year's time until they could plant and har-
vest crops. The most of the land on which Newark is located is shown by title deeds
to have at one time belonged to some member of the Blackmar family, and to Esbon and
Horace Blackmar, a cousin and partner in business, is due the surveying, mapping and lay-
ing out of many of the streets of our village. Esbon Blackmar, was several times supervisor
of the town and twice represented the district in the State Legislature, and one time as
member of Congress ; and we will add, one of the town's honest, honored, efficient and
useful citizens. Orrin and i dwin are still doing business in Newark. The enterprise,
sterling integrity, and Christian sentiments of the first business men in Newark, and the
farmers first settling Arcadia are clearly represented in their descendants.
Barnes, John W., M. D., was born in Clayville, Oneida county, was educated in the
public schools, in Saquoit Academy, also in West Winfield Academy. He studied
medicine and surgery seven years in the Homeopathic Medical College of Chicago,
graduated in 1887, also the Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which he graduated
in 1888. He was also in Cook County Hospital in that city about two years. He is
justice of the peace and is one of the coroners of the county. Dr. Barnes has an ex-
cellent practice in this region, and is called in council with the best physicians in the
county. He began to piactice medicine in Port Byron, and came to Fairville in 1890. He
married Maude Courtwright, of Port Byron, and they have one daughter, Ethel B. Dr.
Barnes' father, John T., was born in Nottingham, England, in 1830, and came to the
United States with his aunt when ten years of age. He was educated in the district
schools, and is a farmer and hop grower by occupation. He is also a dealer and
speculator in hops. He married Serepta Waldro.i, of Oneida county, by whom he had
six children : Cora B., and Nellie M., deceased ; Francis G., John W., as above; William
E., and Frederick R. They are now residing at their home in Oneida county.
Blossom, William H., was born in Hopewell, Ontario county, November 24, 1845
He was educated in the common schools and was a clerk in his father's store at Port.
Gibson in the early years of his life. December 26, 1875, he married Annie Hook, of
Mumford, Monroe county, by whom he had two daughters, Eliza F., and Nellie M.,
both students at the Union School and academy. His father was born in Amsterdam,
Montgomery county, in 1806, and received a collegiate education. In early life he was
a farmer, and afterwards a merchant. He married twice, first, Magdalena Post, of
Seneca county, who died, and he married second, Polly Benham, of Hopewell. They
had six children: Joseph, Magdalena, Delana, Eli, William H., and Samuel. Mr.
n
298 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Blossom's father died October 18, 1893, and his mother resides with him on Main street.
His grandfather, Joseph Blossom, was a soldier in the French and Indian war, and
brought home a scalp of his own taking. Mr. Blossom's place of business is the store
on Palmyra street, where he keeps a first class restaurant. He came to reside here in
1876.
Bennett, Clark T., was born in Niagara county in 1856. His father was Orrin S., a
son of Thomas Bennett, who came from Vermont in an early day and settled in Barre,
Orleans county. In 1873 Orrin S. removed to Wayne county and settled in Sod us.
He was a carpenter by trade, which he followed for some time, and later engaged in
farming. He married Salome Baldwin, by whom he had two sons, Claik T. and
Orlando. Orrin S. died in 1893. Orlando Bennett settled in Sodus Point. On arriving
at manhood our subject was engaged in fanning for several years, but since 1882 has
had charge of the mercantile business of E. B. Mathes at Sodus Centre. In 1880 he
married Florence, daughter of John Brant. She died in 1887, leaving two children,
Ross and Lulu. In 1888 Mr. Bennett married Helen Proseus.
Brewer, Fred J., was born in Williamson, this county, August 2, 1857, and was edu-
cated in the district schools, working summers and attending school winters, thus earn-
ing money to defray his expenses at the academy at Sodus, which he attended winters.
He learned the blacksmith's trade with his father, and shod his first horse when four-
teen years of age. He worked in partnership with his father two years, then December
14, 1883, he came to Newark and began business on his own account in 1884, in company
with his brother Gecrge O, in the Robinson stone shop on Union street, under the firm
name of Brewer Brothers, which continued till the death of his brother, October 10,
1892. In 1887 they purchased the said location, and in 1893 he erected the Brewer
Block in the same location. June 18, 187! i, he married Ella A. Craggs, of his native
town, and they have had four children, two sons and two daughters: Florence E.,
Jessie M., James O, and Glen A. Mr. Brewer's father, Aaron, was born in the town
of Williamson, January 4, 1832, was a blacksmith by trade, and married Sarah Cole,
by whom he had two sons, Fred J., and George C. The ancestry of the family is
Dutch and English.
Burleigh, Emor E., was born on the homestead, east of Newark, June 24, 1847. His
education was acquired in the Union School and Academy and in Eastman's Commer-
cial College at Poughkeepsie. His occupation has been salesman and bookkeeping, and
is now confidential clerk and bookkeeper for Blaekmar & Allertch, produce dealers.
He has been assessor ten years, and has been re-elected for three years, and has been
president of the village one term. February 16, 1881, he married Clara L. Carr,
formerly of Oswego county, and they have one daughter, Fiances C. His father,
George F., was born in Columbia county September 25, 1822, and came here with his
parents when three years of age. He was educated in the schools of his day, and has
always followed farming. November 9, 1844, he married Augusta F. Miller, formerly
of Cayuga county, and they had two sons : Emor E, as above, and William H, who
married Eva Ridley, by whom he has one son Ray R. The grandfather, Abner, was
born in Columbia county in 1790. About 1812 he married Mary Hauser, of that
county, by whom he had five children. The family came to this town in 1825. The
first known of the Burleighs in this country was three brothers who came from
England, one of whom fought for the Americans in the Revolutionary war. Mrs.
Burleigh's father, Caleb L. Carr, was born in Columbia county and came to Williamson
when a boy. He married Frances C. Baker, of Sodus, and had three children. He
died in 1868 and his wife survives, residing here. Both sides of this familv fought in
the war of 1812.
Amerman, Albert, was born June 28, 1830, studied six years in the New York City
University, and graduating from the grammar department, has been an accountant all
FAMILY SKETCHES. 299
his life, until his retirement some years ago. In 1857 he married Annie Hunt, of his
native city, and they had two sons: Charles E., a member of the Brooklyn Trust Com-
pany, and John J., who is in the auditing department of the Grand Central Station in
that city. Mrs. Amerman died in 18(15, and our subject married, second, June 18, 1869,
Elethia E. Culver, of Arcadia, and they had one daughter, Alethia E., who died aged
four years. Caleb, father of Albert, was born in New York city in 1800, where he was
a clerk in the Merchant's Exchange Bank for sixty years. He married Susan Brower,
of Westchester county, and they had seven children: Susan, Albert, Mary, Hannah,
Frances, Charlotte, and Jacob. Mr, Amerman died in 1890 and his wife in 1891. The
father of the latter was W. Norman Culver, born in this county December 20, 1814,
who married Elizabeth Brown in 1838, and had one daughter, Elethia E., as above
noted. Mr. Culver died in 1872, and his wife in 1889.
Allerton, Byron, was born in the town of Amenia, Dutchess county, September 22,
1822. He was educated in the public schools. His early life was spent on his father's
farm. The family came to the town of Benton, on the lake, Yates county, except
Byron, who had already begun as a boy the drover's trade from Dutchess county to
New York. In 1844 he came to Newark and became clerk for his brother Orville H.
in his general store two yea-s. He then began to trade in sheep, driving them to
Dutchess county, making money in the transaction. In the fall he shipped sheep to
New York in company with his uncle, a Mr. Hurd. He loaded the first car of sheep on
the Auburn branch of the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. About this time he became blind,
which continued about seven years. After this he became merchant with his brother
for seven years, when the co-partnership was dissolved by mutual consent. He then
went to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he conducted a hotel at the stock yards called the
Eastern Exchange, which continued a year. He then returned to Newark and bought
the heirs' interests in the homestead, which he owns at the present time. In 1867 he
married Helen Sherman, of Dover, Dutchess county, and they have two children :
Samuel W. and Richard H. Samuel W. is a resident of Jersey city and is a dealer in
sheep; Richard H. is a student in the academy. Mrs. Allerton died June 10, 1892,
mourned by a bereaved husband and children. Two years after his marriage he went
to Buffalo and was made superintendent of the Erie Stock Yards for seven years, in fact
he has been a drover the greatest part of his life.
Axtell, Wells H., was born in Michigan, October 10, 183S. He was educated in the
district schools of that State, was a farmer and lumberman, and at the time of his en-
listment was foreman of the stables of the copper mines. Augusts, 1861, he enlisted
in Company F, 7th Mich. Inf. Yols., was honorably discharged June 11, 1863, and came
to Steuben county on account of sickness which he contracted while in the army, and
in May, 1864, came to this town, where he has since resided. February 23, 1864, he
married Mary C. Hill, of Schuyler county, and they had one son, Bert R., born Novem-
ber 1, 1869, who married Louisa Webster, of Hammondsport, Steuben county. They
reside in Monroe county. Mrs. Axtell died March 4, 1890. She was a charter member
of the Woman's Relief Corps, and held the office of junior vice. Mr. Axtell's father,
John H., was born on the Atlantic Ocean. The family located in Steuben county. He
married Margaret Morris, of that county, and they moved to Michigan, and had four-
teen children. He died in 1858, and his wife in 1880. Mr. Axtell's grandfather,
Henry, and five brothers were soldiers in the war of 1812, and the French and Indian
war seven years. Mr. Axtell is a member of Yosburg Post No. 99, G. A. R., Dep't of
N. Y., and of Newark Lodge No. 116, A. 0. IT. W.
Andrews. Asa F., was born in Fabius, Onondaga county, in 1849. His father,
Orcemus, was a son of Ebenezer Andrews, who was a native of Yermont, and one of
the early settlers of Onondaga county. Asa F. settled in Wayne county in 1882 and
engaged in the drygoods and grocery trade at Joy, town of Sodus, which he has con-
tinned until the present time. He was appointed postmaster at Joy under President
300 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Harrison's administration, which office he has held five years. Mr. Andrews is a mem-
ber of Sodus Lodge No. 392, F. & A. M. His first wife was Alnora Steele, of Chen-
ango county, and after her death he married in 1891 Margaret Sauer, daughter of
Martin Sauer, of Sodus.
Allerton, Henry R. — The late Samuel W. Allerton was born in the town of Amenia,
Dutchess county, December 8, 1785. His education was received in the schools of that
day, also in a select school under the tuition of the Rev. Dr. Barnett. a Presbyterian
minister of his native place. His father and grandfather were professional men, phy-
sicians, but he chose the occupation of farming. He married Hannah Hurd, of his native
place, and they had nine children : Cornelia, Ammerelis, Henry R., Orville H, Amanda
H , Byron, Rebecca A., Lois J., and Samuel W. He came to the town of Benton,
Yates county, in 1842. In 1849 the family moved to Wayne county, and continued
farming fifteen years. He lived in Newark until he died in August, 1885. only four
months short of a hundred years. Cornelia married Walter Sherman, of Dutchess
county ; Ammerelis married Shadrack Sherman, of that county ; Henry R., retired
farmer, residing in the village, his sister, Mrs. Taber. in charge of his household; Orville
H., mentioned elsewhere; Amanda H. married William Taber ; Byron married Helen
Sherman, of Dover, Dutchess county; Rebec< a H. and Lois J. reside with their brother
Henry R., all of them of independent means. Samuel L. married twice, first, Pamilla
Thompson, and second, Agnes Thompson, and is a resident of Chicago. The grand-
father, Reuben, was a surgeon in the Revolutionary war.
Holdridge, A. J., after a life of more than ordinary interest and adventure in foreign
lands, returned in 18G5 to his old home, for the next ten years was on shore and at sea,
and for sixteen years has been express and freight agent at Savannah. He was born
in Galen September 16, 1838, a son of Ambrose and Charity Holdridge. His educa-
tional opportunities were limited, and at the age of fifteen he ran away from home and
shipped from Greenport, L I., an board the whaler, Italy, in 1854. Off the Aleutian
Isles in 1866 she was dismasted in a heavy storm, and after the loss of eleven men
finally harbored in Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, and the cargo of 2,800 barrels of oil
and 32.500 pounds of whalebone was saved intact, then visited a number of the South
Sea Islands among the cannibals. He next shipped in the Sheffield for another
whaling cruise, which lasted eight months, with a net result of 2,200 barrels of oil and
19.000 pounds of whalebone. Next entering the merchant service, he visited all the
principal ports of South America, rapidly passing, by various promotions, from a com-
mon sailor to first mate, which position he held on board the Monterey when but
twentv-one years of age. During the war between Peru and Ecuador he was a
blockade runner, which was on one occasion chased all day by a Peruvian man-of-war,
without result. At Panama, when in the passenger steamer service, he had the dreaded
Chagres fever, and after his recovery he again entered the merchant service, visiting
London and other points in the Old World. In 1863, while on the U. S. N. ship
Aphrodite he suffered shipwreck off Cape Lookout, when the ship and twenty-six men
were lost, but Mr Holdridge escaped uninjured. After the war he spent several
seasons on the lakes, chiefly m sailing vessels, and subject to the usual vicissitudes of a
sailor's life, sometimes an officer and sometimes before the mast. In 1889 he married
Fannie Taylor, of Clyde. Our subject has been president of the village, trustee,
assessor, ftc.
John Vandenberg was born in Coxsackie, N.Y., July 31, 1827, and died in Clyde May
14, 1894. He attended the academy in his native place and studied law, and after
admission to the bar removed to Cleveland, N. Y,, where he soon became prominent,
In 1855 he located in Cb/de and was in Hctive and successful practice nearly forty years.
In the fall of 1865 he was elected to the Legislature by the Republicans, and served a
second term by re-election. In 1876 he formed a partnership with Charles T. Saxton,
which continued to his death. In 1879 he was elected district attorney of Wayne
FAMILY SKETCHES. 301
county by a very large majority, and filled the office to the entire satisfaction of his
fellow citizens. He was a prominent member of the Bar Association and a Mason of
high standing. Mr. Vandenberg married, in 1849, Rebecca Landgraff, of Cleveland.
Five children were born to them.
Burgess, Rev. A. P., D.D., was born in Herkimer county in 1845, prepared for Ham-
ilton College, at West Winfield Academy, and received his theological training in New
England. He received his degree of Doctor of Divinity from Monroe College in 18S6.
He was a pastor in Mexico, Oswego county, eight years. He was seven years in
Dennis and Duxbury, Mass., and has been pastor of the First Presbyterian church in
Newark, N. Y., for twenty-one years. In April, 1894, his church celebrated the
twentieth anniversary of his pastorate by giving him a reception, nearly a thousand
persons being present. On this occasion he was the recipient of a valuable gold watch,
and Mrs. Burgess of a costly supply of table china. Mr. Burgess has been largely iden-
tified with the interests of his town and county. Mr. Burgess has added to his clerical
duties a large service on the platform, in the cause of temperance, and he edited the
Temperance Press two years while in Boston, Mass. For three years he edited the
Watchword in Ilion, N.Y. His sons, W. C. and F. D. Burgess, are editors and pub-
lishers of the Arcadian Weekly Gazette of Newark.
Richards, Sidney S., was born in the town of Hamburg, Lewis county, N. Y., May 8
1839. He was educated in the public schools, was a farmer by occupation. When he
attained the age of twenty-one he moved to the town of Ellisburg, locating in the vil-
lage of Bellville, and worked at the art of photography. In 1862 he enlisted in Com-
pany E, 10th Artillery, N. Y. S. Volunteers, was honorably discharged at the close of
the war, June 23, 1865. He first located in Carthage, Jefferson county, N. Y., follow-
ing his chosen business. July 3, 1866, he married Louisa Sanders, of Carthage, locat-
ing here July 16, 1880, purchasing the gallery of A. F. Brooks and his line of business.
Two children, both daughters, namely : Mary A. and Alice E, she married L. C. San-
ford of Newark. Mr. Richards' father, David, was born in Massachusetts December
21, 1801, and married Eliza D. Stoddard, of Lewis county, N. Y.; they had three chil-
dren, two sons and a daughter : Edward, jr., Sidney S., as above, and Adelia C. He
died October 19, 1882. Mr. Richards is a member of Vosburg Post, No. 99, G. A. R.,
Department cf New York, has held the positions of commander, senior vice-com-
mander and quartermaster. His daughter, Mary, was educated at Holyoke College,
and is assistant preceptress in the Union School and Academy. Himself and family
are members of the Baptist Church of Newark.
Wilson, J., was born in St. Johnsville, Montgomery county, N. Y., May 12, 1831.
He graduated at Union College in 1851, and was admitted to the practice of law in
1852 ; raised a company of one hundred and seven men at his own expense and served
as captain, part of 1861 and 1862 ; for twenty years was principal of some of the lead-
ing academies of the State ; since January, 1869, has been editor of the Newark
Courier, one of the most popular county weeklies in the State. October 23, 1874, he
was nominated unanimously as the Democratic candidate for Congress, for the counties
of Wayne, Cayuga and Seneca; and in a district usually 6,000 to 7,000 Republican, he
came within a few hundreds of being elected, with General MacDougall as his opponent,
and without paying any attention to the canvass. In 1875 he was honored with the
degree of Ph. D., from Union College; in 1880, was on the Democratic electoral ticket,
as the representative of the Twenty-sixth Congressional District. He visited Europe in
1868 and 1888. Mr. Wilson is the author of the following works: 'Errors of Gram-
mar," 1858; "Phrasis: A Treatise on the History and Structure of the Different Lan-
guages of the World," 1864; "A Practical Grammar of the English Language," 1870 ;
"Truths of Religion and the Bible, as seen by the Light of the Nineteenth Centurv,"
1874 ; 'Practical Life and the Study of Man," 1882; 'Radical Wrongs," 1892. These
works have been commended by the best men in the land, and have given him a high
302 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
standing among literary men and editors. He is proprietor, publisher and editor of the
Newark Courier of Newark, N. Y.
Kelley, Charles E , was born on the homestead southeast of Newark January 28,
1858, was educated in the common schools and at the Union School and Academy at
Newark. He is a farmer and dealer in seed potatoes, and owns the old E. B. Kelley
farm. February 21, 1883, he married Ada A. Burnette of Phelps, and they have two
children: Bertha A. and Burnette F. Mrs. C. E. Kelley's father, Hiram Burnette, was
born in Phelp-, Ontario county, April 14, 1826, was educated in the common school and
followed farming. He married Eliza Parsons of Columbia county, and they had five
children : Ada A., as above ; Milton P., Jennie E., Ulysses G-. and Frank II. He had
two children by a first marriage, Andrew J. and Mary L. Mr. Burnette died in 1893,
and his widow survives at the old home in Phelps.
Welcher, Charles A., was bom in Arcadia October 3, 1856, and was educated in the
district, and the Union School and Academy of Newark. His early life was spent on
his father's farm, and he is now one of Newark's enterprising grocery merchants. He
married Jennie E. Garlock, of Newark, and they have five children : Fred G\, Frank C ,
L. Fern, Ernest L. V., and J. Orville. Mr. Welcher' s father, J. Philester, was born on
the homestead two and one-half miles north of the village of Newark, March 13, 1821.
September 22, 1845, he married Abigail Lee, of Arcadia, by whom he had seven children :
Alice, Amanda, Rev. Manfred P., Yelora E., Charles A , as above, Lucy V., and Byron
R , who died aged fifteen years. Subject's grandfather, John, was born in Morristown,
N J., in 1790 and came to Phelps, Ontario county, when in his ninth year, and went
to live with Oliver Clark, of East Palmyra, until he was twenty-one years old. He then
took up the land for the homestead from the primeval forest. He married twice, first
Mehetabel Culver, and second Electa Jagger, of Batavia, formerly of Long Island.
Hanby, James E.,-was born in Sodus October 31, 1853, and is a son of Charles Hanby,
born September 19, 1809, who came from London, England, in 1832 and settled in the
northwestern part of the town of Sodus, purchasing a tract of land. He married twice,
first (in England) Harriet Jackson and their children were: Ann, Charles J., and Harriet
P. His second wife was Catherine Gates, and their children were: Ann, Charles,
Joseph G., Mary L., Catherine E., Lewis B., James E., Hannah and Esther J. He died
June 22, 1887. James E. Hanby, settled in Sodus on the old homestead, and is one of
the enterprising and prosperous farmers of the town. He is also a dealer in agricultural
implements, and is a member of Sodus Lodge No. 392, F. & A. M., and Sodus Grange.
He married in 1893 Carrie 0., daughter of Mrs. Olivia Van Slyck, of Sodus.
Ridley, William, was bor-n in Phelps, Ontario county, January 30, 1817. He was
educated in the district schools and has always followed farming. January 14, 1839, he
married Elizabeth M. Tittsworth of his native town, and they have had eleven children :
James T., William, Esther A., Morrison, Aaron, George D, Mary E., Clara and an
infant daughter not named (twins) ; Alice and Adelbert. Mr. Ridley's father, Mathew,
was born in England in 1781 and came to the United States when eighteen years old,
locating in the town of Phelps. He married Delilah Sober, of the town of Arcadia,
Wayne county, by whom he had these children: James, dead; William, as above;
Nelson, dead; Lydia; Hiram, dead, and Delira, Mrs. Ridley's father, Richard Titts-
worth, was born in New Jersey about 1785 and married Esther De Witt, of his native
place. They had four children : Jane, James, Ann Jennette and Elizabeth M. He died
in 1830 and his wife in 1848. They came to this locality about 1810. Mr. Tittsworth
was a soldier in the War of 1812 at Sodus Point. Morrison is a professional caterer;
James T. married Phoebe Westfall ; Willard married Pamelia Eggleston ; Aaron married
Cornelia Morris ; Mary E, married Oliver Eggleston ; Alice married Charles Cornwell,
and Delbert married Hattie Morris.
Drake, Harry R., was born in Mast Newark, N. Y., April 20, 1851, was educated in
FAMILY SKETCHES. 303
the Union School and Academy, and taught school for several years, lie has also been
engaged in the grocery trade, and is now a manufacturer of eyelet-end wood-pulp but-
ter dishes, paper boxes, egg case fillers, etc. In 1870 he married Eliza Mumford, and
had one daughter, Frances F., now Mrs. L. G. Baldwin of Newark. Mrs. Drake died
in 1874, and he married in 1880 Mary A. Towlerton, of Wolcott. They have two sons,
Albert R. and Charles H. Mr. Drake's father, Leroy, was born in the town of Lyons,
July 20, 1829, and during his later years sold canal supplies at the upper lock. lie
married Eliza D. Lamoreaux of East Newark, and they had two sons, Harry R. and
Nelson D. Mr. Drake died in 1864, and his widow married, second, Frank H Spoor,
who is now an engineer, and was a soldier in the late war, having onlisted in 1861 in
the Sturgis Rifles, in Chicago, 111. He was honorably discharged in 1865, at the close
of the war, after having been twice wounded. Mrs. Spoor's sister, Sally Lamoreux,
married Reuben Berry, who was born in Columbia county, and came here with his par-
ents when two years old. In early life he was a farmer, and earned a competency,
Both he and wife are living, and devote their time to many kind deeds, smoothing the
way for those less fortunately situated than they are, Aunt Sally's name being a house-
hold word in town. The Lamoreaux family are of French extraction, having de-
scended from the Huguenots whe came here in the Seventeenth Century.
Hankenson, Edward L., was born in Newark, March 18, 1845. His education was
obtained in' the Union School and Academy, and he then became a clerk in his father's
store. In the year 1872 his father took him into the concern as partner, under the firm
name of James W. Hankenson & Son, doing a retail business in clothing, hats, caps and
men's furnishing goods. July 12, 1892, he married EllaV. Sutphen, daughter of Dr. R.
M. Sutphen of Newark, N. J. Mr. Hankenson's father, James VV., was born in Scho-
harie county, in 1818, and came to the town of Arcadia with his parents when two
years of age, and was educated in the schools of that day and place. His early life
was spent on his father's farm until the age of sixteen, when he learned the tailor's
trade with Lathrop Bristol, of Newark, N. Y. In 1841 he began business on his own
account, which continues until the present day. April 2, 1841, he married Nancy Good-
win of this town, by whom he had one son, Edward L., as above noted. He has been
a resident of the town seventy-three years. The father of James W. was Ruel. Mr.
Hankenson was one of the originators of the I. 0. O. F. in Newark.
Bartle. the late Warren S., was born in Junius, Seneca county, July 28, 1816. He
came to Newark with his parents when eighteen years of age and learned the machin-
ist's trade, after which he did business on his own account on South street. He was a
skillful workman and inventor. October 6, 1840, he married Eliza Cambers, formerly of
Whittlesea, Cambridegshire, England. She was born October 25, 1818, and they had
three children : James P., who married Gertie Shumway of Newark, and has one son,
Warren S.; Eldora L., Avbo married James S. Horton of East Newark, by whom she
has one son, Charles B., who is a jeweler by trade; and Willie, who died in infancy.
Mrs. Bartle's father, William Cambers, was born at the old home in England March 7,
1775. He married Susan Sherrington of his native place, and they had ten children :
Four sons by the name of William died in infancy ; George, who died aged twenty-five ;
Mary A., Lucy and Eliza died in infancy ; Lucy second and Eliza second survive. They
came to the United States in 1834, and located at Albion, Orleans county, where they
remained many years and then went to Canada. When Mrs. Bartle's mother died in
1857, her father came here to reside with his daughter and died in 1859. The Bartles
trace their ancestry back to the sixth generation in the United States from Germany.
Mr. Bartle has been organist in four churches, and has taught instrumental music since
she was sixteen, and at her present age seventy-six, still retains a class of pupils. Mr.
Bartle was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined in
1845, being one of the charter members of the Subordinate Lodge Encampment. He
passed all of the chairs in both lodges and was D. D. G. M. and D. D. G. P. He died
August 20, 1882.
304 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
West, George H., was born about two miles west of Newark, November 19, 1840,
He was educated in the common schools. He was one of a family of five children,
whose parents were Matthew W. West, who was born near Fairville, this town, June
18, 1818, and whose occupation was that of a farmer, and his wife Mary Hughes, of
this town, formerly of Vermont, whom he married Feb. 5, 1839. Matthew W. West
died March 4, 1874, mourned by a bereaved wife and family. The five children were
as follows: George H., S. Maria, Catharine, Emma J., and Lewis G. The daughters
are dead. Their grandfather, Moses West was a soldier in the War of 1812, and other
members of the family were in the late war. Lewis G. married Effie M. Lake of Mar-
bletown, by whom there were two children : Edward W. and Ethel. George H. fol-
lowed his father's occupation and November 19, 1861, he married Mary L. Lee, of
Newark formerly of Fairport, whose father, William Lee, came from England when a
small child and whose mother Mary Ann Hutchinson came from Vermont. They had
two children : K. Eudora, and Charles E. January 13. 1886 Charles married Harriet
A. Richmond, of Newark, they have three children, namely : Mary A., Mabel E., Ada
B. Mrs. George West died October 16, 1892 and Mr. West married again March 7,
1894, Lizzie S. Yeo, of Phelps, Ontario county, whose father was born in Devonshire,
England, September 28, 1814, coming to the United States when a young man, locating
at Mt. Morris, Livingston county, where he married Mary Stillson, a sister of Judge
Norton's wife by whom he had four children: Arthur E., Frank S., M. Ella and Lizzie
S. The family resided in Le Roy for a number of years, where Mrs. Yeo died April
12, 1861. Mr. Yeo married a second time, Adaline Knapp, of Newark, and they lived
in the town of Phelps, Ontario county, for twenty-eight years, where both died, Mrs,
Yeo February 5, 1892 and Mr. Yeo April 25, 1893. Mr. West is a member of the offi-
cial board of the Newark M. E. church. He and his family still reside two miles west
of Newark.
Hyde, Artemas W., was born at the old home in Hydesville, September 15, 1816.
He was educated in the schools of that day, and was also a farmer. He was the only
surviving son of Dr. Henry Hyde, born June 29, 1774 in Vermont, who came to this
locality as a pioneer physician and settled amid forests and small clearings and a scant
population in 1810. Artemas W. Hyde began life by putting into practice these prin-
ciples of self reliance, untiring industry promptness in all business transactions, and
care and prudence in all the details of his affairs which made him at once the successful
and reliable business man he was. Mr. Hyde was supervisor of the town in 1864-65.
It was said by the Fox sisters that Artemas W. Hyde was a firm believer in spiritualism.
The family wishes this to be emphatically denied, it being a pure fabrication on their
part. He was twice married, first, to Armeda Miles, who died in 1856. After her
death he married Louise Peirson. He has four children living, two of them E. M. and
John L.. sons of the first wife, and William H. and Armeda, now Mrs. P. R. Sleight,
children of the second wife. Mr. Hyde died January 5, 1892, and his wife in Septem-
ber of the same year. William H., the youngest son of Artemas W. Hyde, was born
July 26, 1863 at the old home in Hydesville, where he at present resides. He was
educated at the Union School, Cook Academy, and at Geneseo Normal School. He is
a farmer and capitalist by occupation. He is a man of enterprise, ability and integrity,
already well and favorably known in this and adjoining communities as a capable and
successful financier. He married February 26, 1885, Bertha Jackson, of Lyons. They
have two children, Bertha L. and William Henry, jr., who is the eighth Henry in the
direct line in the Hyde family. Mrs. Hyde's grandfather, Dr. Cyrus Jackson, was a
pioneer settler and physician of the town of Lyons, coming to that town from Milford,
Pa., through the woods on horseback some time in 1811. He purchased the farm upon
which he resided the rest of his long and useful life, and which is still in the possession
of the Jackson family. Like all old time physicians he went to see his patients on
horseback and carried his medicine case in his saddle bags. George W. Jackson, the
father of Mrs. Hyde, was the youngest son of Dr. Jackson ; a farmer by occupation and
FAMILY SKETCHES. 305
an upright, conscientious Christian gentleman, who was called to his rest while still in
the prime of his life, July 6, 1884.
Vosburgh, William, son of Jacob, came from Dutchess county about 1845 and settled
in the northwest corner of Sodus on the lake road, purchasing a farm of 250 acres, and
was an extensive farmer. He married first Henrietta Trumper and second Elizabeth
Trowbridge, and their children were: Jacob, Anna E., Margaret, Sarah C, Mary E.,
Emma, who died in infancy, Emma and Antoinette. Anna E. married Robert Watson ;
Margaret married Thomas Youmans ; Sarah C. married Wesley T. Jolly ; Mary E.
married Rowland Smith; Antoinette married Henry Toor; Jacob settled on the home-
stead and is a farmer. He taught school for several years during the winter. He mar-
ried Catherine Youmans, of Sodus, and they have five children : William, Edith A.,
Wesley, Henrietta and Geoi^e Y.
Dickson, William, was born in Hopewell, Ontario county, was educated in the com-
mon schools, and is a farmer. December 10, 1863, he enlisted in Co. F, 2d Mounted
Rifles N Y. S. Vols., was wounded before Petersburg and wounded a second time in
the explosion of the mine, losing his right arm. In March, 1867, he married Christina
Weaver, of this town, and they have two children : Etta, who married Franklin W.
Rasch, and William T., a farmer with his father. Mrs. Dickson's father, Jacob Weaver,
was born in Balltown Springs, Dutchess county in 1812, and came to Sodus with his
parents when a boy. He married Sylvina Hiscrodt of his native county, and they had
eight children: Homer, Lydia. Lewis, Christina, as above; Esther, Jacob. Mrs. Dick-
son's brother, Lewis, was a soldier in Co. F, 2d Mounted Rifles, and died in the service
at City Point. Mr. Weaver died March 16. 1890, and his wife March 3, 1884. Mr.
Dickson was honorably discharged from Mount Pleasant Hospital, Washington, D. C,
February 17, 1865. He is a member of Vosburg Post No. 99 G. A. R., Department of
New York. William T. is a member of E. K. Burnham Camp No. 14, S. 0. V., Newark.
The ancestry of the family is Scotch and German.
Van Marter, David, father of Mrs. William J. Holland, was born in Arcadia April 19,
1819, was educated in the public schools, and in early life was a cooper, later taking up
farming. October 30, 1853, he married Elizabeth J. Baldwin, of Lyons, by whom he
had two children : Mary, who died in her ninth year, and Jennie M. Mr. Van Marter
died January 4, 1887, and his wife died September 29, 1889. Jennie M. married, Sep-
tember 16, 1890, William J. Holland, of Fairville, and they have two children : Viola
M. and David Coles. The family are nicely situated on the Van Marter homestead.
Mr. Holland's father, Thomas, was born about 1836, in England, and married Mary S.
West, of Bay City, Michigan, formerly of England. Their six children were : Mary
A-, William, John, Sarah S., Ettie D. A., who died young, Henry R., and Emma J.
Both parents reside in Fairville.
Van Dusen, Richard, was born in Marion, Wayne county, August 20, 1845, was edu-
cated in the Palmyra Classical Union School and has taught school fifteen years, three
of which he taught in the Union School of Palmyra. For the past thirteen years he
has been conducting a fruit farm near Marbletown. August 10, 1886, he married Eliz-
abeth Rentschler, of East Newark, and they have one daughter, Mary E., who is a stu-
dent. Mr. Van Dusen's father, Hiram, was born in Berkshire county, Mass., June 27,
1798. The family moved to Columbia county, N. Y., when he was a boy, where he
was educated in the schools of his day. June 30, 1816, he married Maria Crandall, of
his native county, and they had eleven children : Maria, Hannah, William, Henry J.,
Lucinda, Catherine, John H, Margaret, Stephen, Hannah second, and Richard. Mr.
Van Dusen died in 1886, and his wife April 17, 1850. Subject's grandfather, William,
was born September 6, 1772. He married Hannah Spencer and had seven children.
Mrs. Richard Van Dusen's father, John Rentschler, was born in Germany. He married
Mary Schanz, of his native place and came to the United States, locating at East Newark.
306 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
They had seven children. Mr. Van Dusen was elected assessor in 1892 and is trustee
of the district school. He is also a member of Newark Lodge No. 83 F. & A. M., is a
member of the Knights of Honor, and a Granger.
Hoeltzel, George, was born in Alsace, France, (now Germany) December 30, 1836.
and came to the United States with his parents in 1840. They located in Lyons, Wayne
county. He was educated in the district schools and is a farmer. June 27, 1867, he
married Lena Schwab, of Arcadia, and they have three children: Albert G.. EmmaM.
and Minnie R. August 12, 1862, he enlisted in Co. C, 9th Heavy Artillery, and was
in the following engagements: Cold Harbor, Monocacy Junction, Winchester, Cedar
Creek and others, and was honorably discharged May 3, 1865. Mr. Hoeltzel's father,
Michael, was born at the old home in Alsace in 1794, and married Dorathy Rukth of his
native place. They had seven children : Dorathy, Elizabeth, Michael, Frederick, Sally,
Henry and George, of whom Michael, Dorathy, Elizabeth and Henry are deceased. Mrs.
Hoeltzel's father, George Schwab, was born in Alsace, May 14, 1814, and came to the
United States with his parents when sixteen years old, locating in this town. He mar-
ried Magdalene Studer also of this town, by whom he had five children : Elizabeth,
Philip, Lena, Barbara and George. Mrs. Schwab afterwards married Sallie Deetch also
of this town, by whom he had two children, Jacob and William, the latter is deceased.
Mr. Schwab died June 4, 1881 and his wife March 30, 1883.
Blakely, Lamott M., is a native of Wyoming County. He attended school in Wyo-
ming county, Koneoye, Richmond Mills, and finished his education at the East Bloom-
field Academy, Ontario county. His first business enterprises of note were in Iowa
and Illinois, where he became a heavy shipper of lumber from points in Iowa on the
Mississippi River to all points below St. Joseph on the Missouri River. He continued
in the lumber business until the breaking out of the war, which closed all traffic for
the time on the Missouri River. At the close of the war he went into the cotton busi-
ness at Atlanta, Ga., which he continued from 1866 to 1870 at Washington, N. C, and
other places, including Newbern and Greenville. Later he resumed the lumber business
and soon became one of the heaviest dealers in the South. These operations extended
over nearly twenty years, and pine, juniper and cypress were the principal varieties
of lumber handled. Mr. Blakely won the good will and respect of the Southern peo-
ple during his long residence in the South, and at the present time has many warm
friends in that section. He returned to Lyons a few years ago, where his people had
resided since 1848. In 1892 Mr. Blakely was an alternate delegate to the National Re-
publican Convention at Minneapolis. From the time of his return he has taken a great
interest in the advancement of Lyons and has served as a member of the Board of
Trustees; last March he was elected president of the village, and has been active in
matters tending to improve the town, especially the streets and water courses. His
administration thus far has been characterized both by public improvements and the
economical expenditure of public money.
Nolan, William H., was born in Oneida county May 20, 1857. His parents moved to
Lewis county when he was seven years of age, and he was educated in the public
schools and learned the trade of carpentry. He came to Newark in 1888, and has built
up a successful business as a contractor and builder. March 31, 1880, he married Mary
E. Laulee of Martinsburgh, Lewis county, and they have five children : Eva M , Grace,
Mary, Lula M. aud Gertrude A. Mr. Nolan and family are members of St. Michael's
Catholic Church, and are Democrats. The father of our subject, James S., came to
Qnebec in 1838, and was compelled to leave, or take up arms against the United States,
choosing the former. He came to Syracuse for a short time, where he conducted a
blacksmith business many years, and afterwards removed to Lewis county. He was
twice married, and had four children by his first marriage, James, Maiy, Margaret and
John. He married, second, Delia Eagan, and had by her four children : William H.,
FAMILY SKETCHES. 307
Michael G., a contractor in Buffalo; Frances, who lives in Cohoes ; and Edward, who
died aged thirteen. James S. died in 1885 and his wife in 1880. Mrs. Nolan's father,
Patrick Laulee, came to this country with his parents at the age of fifteen, and mar-
ried Anna Dunn, and of their eleven children eight grew to maturity.
Butts, Porter P, was born in Pompey, Onondaga county, February 25, 1838, a son of
Lyman Butts, whose father was Jabez, of Scotch and English ancestry. Lyman came
to Wayne county in 1838, residing in Savannah several years, then removing to Cort-
land county, where he lived till 1856, when he bought a farm in the town of Sodus
near Joy and spent the rest of his life. He was a prominent man in the town, a strong
anti-slavery advocate, and active in political affairs. He married Sarah, daughter of
Pliny Porter of Onondaga county, and their children were: Susan, who married Gen.
A. J. Warner, and settled in Marietta, 0.; Helen M., who married Selden Granger,
and settled in Cleveland, 0.; Henry H., who enlisted in the army and died in the serv-
ice ; George C, who settled in Marietta, O; Frank L., who settled on the homestead ;
and Porter P. (See Clark's history of Wayne county.) In 1862 he settled in Sodus,
where he bought a farm south of the village, and has since resided. He is a member
of Sodus Grange, and of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Butts married Anna, daugh-
ter of Jacob Andrews of Sodus, and their children are Watson A., who settled at Fulton ;
Henry P. and Raymond K.
Guiick, Charles L., who was born in Sodus, Wayne county, September 13, 1848, was
educated in the common schools, and has always followed farming. January 1, 1872,
he married Aurillia M. Fredenburgh of Arcadia, by whom he had four children: Olie M.,
Benjamin A., who died aged thirteen ; Kingsley S. and Seaman H. Mr. Gulick's father,
Amos, was born in Columbia county May 10, 1820, was educated in the schools of his
day, and was also a farmer. November 3, 1845, he married Mary E. Ford of Sodus,
and they have three children : Mary A., Charles L., as above, and Martha J. The par-
. ents are now residing at the old home in Sodus. Mrs. Gulick's father, Benjamin F.
Fredenburgh, was born in the town of Arcadia, June 1, 1829. He married Adelia Van
Inwagen, formerly of Tompkins county, and they had four children : Esbon K., Au-
rillia M., as above ; Milton E. and Ellsworth H., who died in infancy. Mr, Freden-
burgh died in 1891.
Weinman, Jacob, was born in Rhinefaltz, Germany, September 7, 1832, educated in
their schools, and worked at various occupations. May 13, 1859, he married Catherine
Menzner of his native place, and they have had eight children : Jacob, jr., who is a
farmer in Clifton Springs, Ontario county, and married Emma Freeh of Newark, by
whom he has three children : Carrie M., Carl F. and Ruth E ; Philip is a farmer in
Phelps, Ontario county. He married Julia Werner and has one son, John P.; Frede-
rick is a carpenter and builder in Newark, and married Nellie Freeh ; Theresa M. and
Julia A. reside at home; Elizabeth O, died in infancy; Louis also died at the age of
two years ; and Christian was killed on the West Shore Railroad near his home at the
age of fourteen. They came to the United States in 1871. Mrs. Weinman died in
1885, mourned by a bereaved husband and family. Mr. Weinman and family are mem-
bers of the German Evangelical Church of Newark, and the family have resided on
their farm twenty years.
Graham, E. P., second son Henry and Eliza (Ross) Graham, late of Rose, was born
September 7, 1848. Henry Graham, a pioneer settler of Rose, a prominent Democrat,
finding in farming and horticulture his principal occupation, died in October, 1878, aged
i seventy-six. Elmore was educated at Clyde and at Canandaigua Academy, and in 1878
acquired by purchase a farm of 200 acres in Butler, devoted chiefly to small fruits and
dairy products, and embellished with handsome buildings. In 1876 he married Nettie,
daughter of Lewis Beach of Varick, Seneca county.
308 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Robinson, Minard, was born in Arcadia October 3, 1845, was educated in the com-
mon schools, and has always followed farming. December 27, 1872, he married M.
Rowe of Manchester, Ontario county, and they have one daughter, Harriet E. Mr.
Robinson's father, John D., was born in Phelps, Ontario county January 25, 1813, was
educated in the schools of his day, and was also a farmer. He married Christina Van
Decar who was born in Rensselaer county, and had five children ; Abram, Aaron V.,
Minard as noted, Mary and Andrew J. He died in 1877 and his wife in 1885. His
grandfather was Minard, and his great-grandfather, John Decker Robinson, was the first
settler in the town of Phelps. Mrs. Robinson's father, Freeman Rowe, was born in
Wayne county in 1S27. He married Harriet A. Oderkirk of Manchester, and they had
three children: Robert D., George F. and Alazan M. Both parents were killed at the
same time on the N. Y. C. & H. R. Railroad March 12, 1887.
Marble Brothers. — John W. was born in the town of Arcadia in Marbletown, Novem-
ber 28, 1842, was educated in the common schools, and has always followed farming.
December 25, 1874, he married Mary E. Robison, of Huntsburg, Ohio, and they have
one son, Ray W., born April 14, 1879, who is a student in the Union 8chool and
Academy at Newark. His brother, Warren F., was born at the old homestead Decem-
ber 5, 1848, was also educated in tne common schools, and is a farmer with his brother
John W. December 16, 1874, he married Josette Moss, of Huntsburg, Ohio, and they
have one son, George B., born July 2, 1879, who is also a student in the Newark Acad-
emy. Our subject's father, James, was born in Marbletown July 29, 1819, was educated
in the schools of his day, and was a farmer. He married Lorinda Dusenberry, of Phelps,
Ontario county, and their children were: John W., as noted; Elizabeth, and Warren F.
Mr. Marble died April 21, 1891, and his wife September 29, 1887. Mrs. John W.
Marble's father, Harry H. Robison, was born in 1792, the first white child born in the
town of Phelps. He served in the war of 1812 ; was well educated, and taught school
in this State, also in the South. He married twice, for his second wife Emily Durham,
by whom he had three children : James, Harry, who died in infancy, and Mary E., who
was born in Lima, Livingston county. He died in 1854, and his wife in 1858. Mrs.
Warren F. Marble's father, William C. Moss, was born in Burton, Geauga county, Ohio,
in 1808. He married Maria J. Robison, of Phelps, and they had seven children : Charles,
Elizabeth, Ford, Josette, as noted, Marvin, Almira, and Jessie M. He died in 1870, and
his wife survives him.
Miller, Frederick C, was born in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, October 10, 1843,
and came to the United States when he was twenty-one, locating in Lyons. He is a
farmer and milk dealer. March 26, 1867, he married Sophia Mierke, of Lyons, formerly
of his native place, and they have yiree children: Charles, who marrie'd Julia Feiock, of
this town ; James H., who is a farmer with his father ; and Ella L., who resides at
home. Mr. Miller's father, Christian, was born at the old home, July 2, 1805. He
married Dora Colman, of Germany, and they had seven children : Louise, Mary, Louis,
Jennie, William, Frederick C, as noted, and Charles. Mr. Miller died in 1873, and his
wife in 1862. Mrs. F. C. Miller's father, Louis Mierke, was born in Mecklenburg-
Schwerin, Germany, June 25, 1824. He married Minnie Helwie, of his native place,
and they had eight children : Sophia, Louise, John, William, Henry, Charles, Eliza, and
Lois. Mr. Mierke died January 6, 1888. The family came to the United States in 1862,
locating in Lyons.
Vorberg, Rev. Robert T., was born in Milwaukee, Wis., April 19, 1868. When a
child his father, who was a minister, received a call to preach in New York city. Mr.
Vorberg was educated in the public schools of Rochester, five years in Wagner College
in that city, and three years in the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary at Mount
Airy, Philadelphia, Pa., from which he was graduated in 1892, and began to preach in
Newark, July 1, 1892, in Zion's Lutheran church. May 17, 1893, he married Miss
FAMILY SKETCHES. 309
Salome A. Ungerer, of Lyons. They have one child, a daughter, Magdalena B. Mr.
Vorberg's father, George A. G., was born in Magdeburg, Germany, August 26, 1835.
He was educated at the Magdeburg Gymnasium, studied theology at the Friedrichs-
University at Halle-Wittenberg, also at the university of Tubingen, and completed his
theological studies at the University of Erlangen in March, 1860. He then taught at a
ladies' seminary in Bremen two years. In 1863 he was sent to the United States by
the Berlin Missionary Society as a missionary, locating and preaching in many places, to
the German Lutherans of Wisconsin. In February, 1867, he married Emilv H., daughter
of the Rev. George J. Kempe, of Rochester, NY. They had three sons, Robert T.,
George M., and Gustav S. He died at New York city, April 1 1873. His widow re-
moving to Rochester with her children, where she and her sons, George M. and
Gustav S., now reside.
Pitts, Jesse G., was born in Chatham, Columbia county, June 7, 1823, and was edu-
cated mostly in Kinderhook Academy. In 1845 he came to Geneva, Ontario county,
where he engaged in saddlery and hardware business, including harnesses and trunks!
until 1852. He then came to Newark, where he embarked in the general hardware
business, in company with Eli Van Valkenburg, under the firm name of Pitts & Van
Valkenburg. They sold nut in 1854, and Mr. Pitts then went on his farm north of the
village, remaining two years. June 2, 1859, he married Helen R. Day, ^f Westfield,
Mass., and they have one adopted daughter, Louise, now wife of Calvin P. H. Vary, a
banker in this place. Mr. Pitts has resided in New York seven years, also in Brooklyn
seven years, during most of this time was in the wholesale petroleum business, returning
to Newark about 1873, where he has conducted a boot and shoe business about twenty
years, including the manufacture of moccasins under letters patent, making about six or
eight thousand dozen pairs annually, selling them to jobbers and the finding trade. Mr.
Pitts' father, John W., was born at the old home in Columbia county in 1795, and came
here at an early day. He married Polly L. Gifford, of his native" town, and had six
children. He died in 1874, and his wife in middle life. Mr. Pitts' father was a soldier
in the war of 1812.
Spoor, Eliza D., was the daughter of Thomas W. Lamoreaux (see Harry R. Drake's
personal sketch for account of both of Mrs. Spoor's marriages). Her granddaughter's
(Mrs. L. G. Baldwin) husband is L. G. Baldwin; his father, Amos Baldwin, was born
in Pennsylvania, April 5, 1844, and married Eliza. Whitbeck, by whom he had two
children, Leonard G. and Ezra P. Mr. Baldwin enlisted in Company D, 50th Penn.
Vols., and was first sergeant of his company. He was taken prisoner May 12, 1864,
and exchanged on May 5, 1865. This regiment participated in twenty-nine general
engagements. Leonard G. Baldwin is captain of E. K. Burnham Camp No. 14, Sons of
Veterans.
Tiffany, George W., was born at Austerlitz, Columbia county, February 18, 1844, and
came to Ontario county with his parents when he was three months of age. He was
educated in the public schools, and has always followed farming. He has also had
charge of and settled several estates. January 24, 1867, he married Theessa Coons, of
the town of Arcadia, and they have one daughter, Iva F., who is a student. Mr.
Tiffany's father, Lamont, was born at Austerlitz, Columbia county, in 1808, and married
Sophia Clark, of that county. They had ten children: Charles L., Jane, Esther M.,
George W., as noted,' Edward D., Loren R., Florence A., Sophia E., Millie E., and
Anna B. He died in 1869, and his wife May 10, 1876. Mrs. Tiffany's father, Alexander
Coons, was born at Red Hook, Dutchess county, July 4, 1812. He was educated in the
schools of his day, and always followed farming. April 10, 1848, he married Deborah
E. Ackley, of Stockport, Columbia county, formerly of Sing Sing, Westchester county.
They had two children, one who died in infancy, and Theessa, as above. The family
came to Newark in November, 1849. He died in 1887, and his widow resides with her
daughter, Mrs. Tiffany. Mr. Tiffany is a member of Newark Grange.
310 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Williams, Fletcher, was born at Bennington, Vt., June 19, 1817. His parents were
Dr. Richard P. Williams and Lucy Fletcher. They moved to Newark, N. Y., while
their children were young, and resided there until their death. Their children were
Stephen K. Williams, of Newark, N. Y., of whom mention is made elsewhere; Lucy L.,
who married Samuel S. Morley, of Clyde, N. Y., and is now deceased; and Noel Byron,
who died while a young man. Fletcher Williams married Ann Eliza Ford, daughter of
Aaron Ford, of Columbia county. N. Y., October 18, 1840, by whom he had two
children, a son and a daughter. Their son, A. Ford Williams, is now living at Chatham
Center, N. Y., but their daughter, who married Rev. Walton W. Battershall, now of
Albany, N. Y., died at Rochester. N. Y., September 25, 1872, leaving three children.
Mrs. Fletcher Williams died at Newark, N. Y., January 29, 1851. Mr. Williams on
June 23, 1859, married Ann Eliza Grant, daughter of Eliab T. Grant, of Newark, N. Y.,
and her death on June 27, 1861, again left him a widower. No children were born of
this marriage. On June 28, 1865, he married his present wife, Sarah H. Rose, of Rose
Hill, Wayne county, N. Y., by whom he has had four children, Charles R., Fletcher, jr.,
Rose, and Arthur R, all of whom are living, except the first mentioned, who died near
Devers, Texas, March 24, 1894. Mr. Williams has been in his business life a very
prominent factor in the improvement and building up of the village of Newark. When
about eighteen years of age he began his business career as a clerk in the store of Esbon
Blackmar at Newark, where he continued for about two years. He then formed a
partnership with Abel T. Blackmar, which lasted for about two years, and after that
with Henry Meesick he opened a general store of his own at East Newark, in which he
continued about the same length of time. He then organized at Newark a State bank,
the Bank of Newark, and it was in the year 1863 reorganized into the First National
Bank of Newark, N. Y., of which Mr. Williams has ever since been president. He has
always been the active and controlling man in each of these banks, and his was one of
the few State banks that came through the crisis of 1857 without failure. His con-
servative management has added much to the prosperity of the place, and in all monetary
crises his bank has had the confidence of the public. Mr. Williams has been active in
the support and building up of the Episcopal church at Newark, and his contributions
to it have exceeded those of any other member. He has always been a member of its
vestry, and for many years a warden, and for sometime was treasurer of the Diocese of
Western New York. He has never been a politician nor held public office, though he
has had many trusts confided to his care. He has devoted himself to his business and
preferred not to be diverted from it, believing that the one occupation to which he has
devoted his life fully sufficient for his time and strength.
Cronise Family, The — Among the first settlers in Arcadia was Henry Cronise. His
father, John Cronise, came in 1802 with Colonel Rochester from Frederick, Maryland,
where they had been neighbors. In December, 1802, he purchased, and had surveyed
by John Smith, two tracts of land, one of 260 3-4 acres east of Ganargua River, or
Mud Creek, part of which is now known as the William Watters farm, south from Mud
Mills, the other tract of 396 1-2 acres, two and one-half miles north, which became the
Cronise homestead. For the 657 acres he paid $2,628, or four dollars an acre. His
deed from Sir William Pulteney was received January 12, 1803. He afterwards re-
turned to Maryland and died there September 29, 1803. After the death of John
Cronise the first of these tracts passed to his daughter Snsannah, wife of Henry Lamb-
right, and was known as the Lambright farm. Here the widow of John, Mary
Cronise nee Fey, of Scotland, died December 19, 1823, at the age of seventy, being
buried in Newark Cemetery. The second tract passed to his son, Henry Cronise, who
came from Maryland in 1807. bringing wirh him several slaves which he soon freed,
although most of them remained in his employ for many years afterward. February
14, 1813, he married Mary, daughter of Samuel Soverhill who had settled in Arcadia in
1798. About 1813 he built the frame house still standing as part of the house now upon
the place, a part being added in 1836. In this house he lived until near the time of his
FAMILY SKETCHES. 311
death in 1870. Besides his farm he had at different times operated the flouring mill at
Mud Mills, the saw mill west of his farm and another at Phelps. From these mills he
furnished in 1840 and 1841 the bed-timbers, cross ties and upper rails (on which the
strap iron track was spiked) for a section of the old Syracuse & Rochester Railroad
through Phelps. He also built the Methodist church at Newark and several bridges
across the Clyde River, and executed other building contracts. His wife, Mary S~>ver-
hill Cronise, died at the homestead June 6, 1867, and three years later he himself died
at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Leggett, in Newark, June 16, 1870, at the age of
eighty-one. Of the family of eight children who grew up here, six are still living,
(1894), viz: Mrs. Sarah M. Demming of Oswego, Simon Cronise of Rochester, Henry
Cronise of Chili, Mrs. Susan B. Leggett and John S. Cronise of Newark, and Samuel
Cronise of Lyons. Simon Cronise, the third of the family in possession of a portion of
the homestead tract, married October 22, 1840, Catherine Maria Fredenburgh, daughter
of Martin Fredenburgh who came from Ghent, Columbia county, in 1826. Upon this
place they resided from 1854 until her death in January, 1886, when he removed to
Roehester, where he now resides. Of their children, Charles Theodore Cronise removed
in 1872 to Logansport, Indiana, where he married Charlotte Butler, afterwards remov-
ing to Pensacola, Florida, his present home, and Adelbert Cronise left the homestead in
1873 to enter the university at Rochester, afterwards taking up the practice of law in
that city where he still resides, although retaining this portion of the original Cronise
tract, being the fourth in possession in the ninety-two years.
Schaich, George, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, November 16, 1859, where he
was educated, and learned the business of nurseryman and gardener, at what we would
call the experiment station, at Hoheinheim, Germany, from which he received a certifi-
cate of efficiency, one of the highest in the class. He came to the United States Sep-
tember 13, 1883, locating in Rochester, where he served Elwanger & Barry eight years.
January 1, 1891, he came to the State Custodial Asylum, where he occupies the position
of gardener and florist. Since he came here he has made much improvement, especially
in laudscape gardening. May 21, 1885, he married Jennie E. Hess, a native of Germany,
and they have had two children : Emily, who died aged eight months, and George W.,
born May 4, 1888. William, father of our subject, was born at the old home in Ger-
many in 1832 and married Catrina Haussler of his native place. Their children were:
George, Barbara, Catrina, Mary, and two died young. Conrad Hess, father of Mrs.
Schaich, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, 1824, and married Rose Hoss, of the
same place. They had seven children : Mary, Jenny, Goetlib, Charles, Caroline, and two
who died young. Both parents are dead.
Blackmar, Ransom and Esbon, came to Newark in the fall of 1826. The former died
December 31, 1841, and Esbon November 19, 1857. A. T. came in 1833 and Orrin in
the spring of 1835. Abel Blackmar with his wife and youngest son Edwin came in the
fall of 1835. Their father, Abel, died March 18, 1843, and their mother February 14,
1861. The family ancestry is from England. Sir Henry Blackmar came to this coun-
try and bought about one-third of the State of Rhode Island and part of his descend-
ants afterward settled in Connecticut, from which place they removed to Greene
county, N. Y. When Ransom and Esbon came to Newark they engaged in general
merchandise, buying grain, boat building, and shipping grain on the canal. Their first
boat was named the R. & E. Blackmar. The county was settled by eastern people, and
when they visited relatives in the east it was customary to go in neighborhood parties,
and go with some favorite captain of the boat which they selected and have a good
social time, as the forward part of the canal boats were finished in cabins for passengers,
the back of the boat for cooking and the accommodation of the crew, and the center
for freight. The capacity for grain was about 600 bushels and Albany was the chief
market in the east. Colonel Bartle was then doing business in Newark (formerly
called Miller's Basin) associated with Mr. Norton of Phelps, under the firm name of
312 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Bartle, Norton & Co., who had extensive mills near Phelps and shipped their flour at
Newark. Most of the farmers who first settled in Arcadia had little means, and usually
came with a young wife and children to seek their fortune in what was then known as
the far west. They took up land from the land office in Geneva, making small payment,
and trusting to their industry for a future home. The merchants and grain buyers had
their nearest banking accommodations at the Geneva Bank at Geneva, and the mer-
chants were the bankers for the farmers, making them loans to pay their interest and
payments at the land office, and selling them dry goods and groceries on one year's time
until they could plant and harvest crops. The most of the land on which Newark is
located is shown by title deeds to have at one time belonged to some member of the
Blackmar family, and to Esbon and Horace Blackmar, a cousin and partner in business.
is due the surveying, mapping and laying out of many of the streets of our village.
Esbon Blackmar was several times supervisor of the town and twice represented the
district in the State Legislature, and at one time represented his district as member of
Congress : and we will add. was one of the town's honest, honored, efficient and useful
citizens. Orrin and Edwin are still doing business in Newark. The enterprise, sterling
integrity, and Christian sentiments of the first business men in Newark and the farmers
first settling Arcadia are clearly represented in their descendants.
Fisk, H. Hudson, was born in Arcadia, two and one half miles southwest of Newark
July 19, 1849, was educated in the common and the Union School and Academy of
Newark. The early part of his life was spent on the homestead farm. He also
taught school several years, and was vice-principal of the Union School and
Academy here six years. In November, 1885, he became a newspaper man, purchasing
the Newark Union, which he has conducted since with success, as proprietor, editor and
publisher. Mr. Fisk's father, Lonson, was born in Saratoga county February 11, 1811.
June 14, 1832. he married Adelia Wells of the town of Manchester, who was born
March 1. 1812. They had nine children, George W., Samuel. Willis P., William H., A.
Judson and H. Hudson (twins), Jennie, Frances A., and Belle. Mr. Fisk, sr., died De-
cember 19, 1885. and his wife July 27. 1888. The family came to reside in this town
in 1823.
Collins, T. W. — The grandfather of our subject, Thaddeus Collins, emigrated from
Vermont in 1800, settled in Phelps, Ontario county, about three miles south of the
present village of Phelps. He removed to Wa}'ne county about 1812 and took up a
tract of land comprising a part of the present site of Pine Valley and extending north-
ward a considerable distance. The house he built and in which he died is still standing
and is at present occupied by Mrs. Closs. Stephen Collins, father of T.W., was born at
Phelps in 1802, removed to Rose with his father in 1812 and spent the remainder of his
days in that town. He died in December, 1892. T. W. Collins was born on his father's
farm in Rose April 15, 1830, spent his youth and early manhood in working on the
farm. He graduated from Genesee College in 1855, went to the Albany Law School
and was admitted to the bar in 1857. He opened a law office at Wolcott in December,
1857, and practiced his profession at that place for nine years. During that time he
served as supervisor of Wolcott one year (1860), and three years as member of Assem-
bly, the last year (1865), holding the position of chairman of the committee of ways and
means. In 1866 was elected county clerk of Wayne county, and removed to Lyons in
December of that year. In 1872 went off with the liberals, ran for elector on the
Greeley ticket and was defeated. In 1879 was elected judge and surrogate of Wayne
county and held the office for a single term, since which he has been practically out of
politics and engaged in the practice cf law.
Kelley, Clarence M., was born on the old homestead south of Newark, September 20,
1850, and was educated in the common and the Union School and Academy. In early
life lie learned the machinist trade at H. C. Silsby's, Seneca Falls, and became a
FAMILY SKETCHES. 313
thorough workman. Taking locomotive work he pursued it in detail at Schenectady,
Philadelphia, and for the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. Leaving the locomotive cab in 1876
he went to the Black Hills and Big Horn region, prospecting and mining, and for four
years remained there testing many claims. He came back to the East with the intention
of settling in Newark, but was induced to take charge of the Bignall Manufacturing
Works at Medina, which employed seventy men. This he left in 1885, and came back-
to Newark to succeed his father in business, purchasing the Eagle Foundry site on
Union street and erecting the present Kelley block. With his own private purse he led
the work of establishing grade, laying walk, and curbing Union street in front of his
premises. He has added to his business house furnishing goods and carriages, and by
liberal dealing has made his business a success. October 7, 1880, he married at Medina
Rasena Randolph. Mrs. Kelley's father, Rev. Webster Randolph, was born in Vermont.
He located in Newark and was instrumental in building the present Universalist church.
He married Eliza Vose, of Boston, and they had three children, B. Howe, Rasena, and
Caroline, who died in infancy. Mr. Randolph died in October, 1893, and his wife in
January, 1882. Mr. Kelley is a member of Newark Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M., of
Newark Chapter No. 117, R. A. M., Zenobia Commandery No. 41, K. T.
Chamberlain, Dr. Dwight S., was born in Litchfield county, Conn., February 22, 1839.
His great-grandfather was an officer in the Revolution, connected with General Wash-
ington's staff. Dr. Chamberlain was educated at the Genesee Seminary and College,
Lima, N. Y., and in March, 1862, he graduated from the medical department of the
University of the City of New York. He then sailed to England as surgeon of a ship
engaged in the transportation of emigrants. Returniug the following summer he entered
the service as assistant surgeon of the 138th N. Y. Vols., later the 9th N. Y. Heavy
Artillery, participating in the battles of Cold Harbor and Petersburg, Sheridan's cam-
paign in the valley of the Shenandoah, the capture of Richmond and Petersburg, and
the final engagement at Savior's Run. He was promoted to major and surgeon in
February, 1865, and mustered out in July of that year. He took charge of the Soldier's
Home and Hospital at Syracuse for a short time, and in September, 1865, he entered
into partnership with Dr. Bottom of Lyons, and practiced here until the spring of 1868,
when he began reading law. He was admitted to the bar in 1874, since which time he
has been more or less interested in that profession. Dr. Chamberlain has been con-
nected with the Lyons National Bank for many years, as director, vice-president, and
finally as president. In memory of his father-in-law, the late D. W. Parshall, our sub-
ject has erected a beautiful memorial building on William street, the upper part of which
contains one of the finest opera houses in the State, outside the large cities. October
17, 1868, Dr. Chamberlain married Katharine M. Parshall, and they have two sons and
a daughter. One of the sons is vice-president of the Lyons National Bank, and the
other is engaged in real estate and other outside matters. Both Dr. and Mrs. Chamber-
lain are heavily interested in real estate in this town and county, owning the principal
business places here, as well as other property, farming land, etc. He is an able lawyer,
affable, and easily approached.
Ream, Fred, was born near Strausburg, Germany, January 4, 1840. He is a son of
Peter and Lena (Strang) Ream, natives of Germany, who emigrated to America in
1849, and settled near Lyons. Peter Ream then removed to Rose, and finally settled in
Rochester, where he died in 1891. His wife still survives him and resides with her son,
C. W. Ream. The maternal grandfather, George Strang, was a prominent man of
Lemberg, Germany, and was treasurer and county clerk under Napoleon during the
French Revolution. Our subject has always followed farming. He now owns one
hundred acres, and carries on general farming. In 1867 he married Lovina, daughter of
Squire Mitchell, of Rose, by whom he has two daughters, Alice F. and Edith L. Mr.
Ream has held several town offices, and at present is justice of the peace. He is a mem-
ber of Clyde Grange. They attend and support theM. E. church.
314 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
Lyman. Milo S., was born in Galen, May 18, 1826, son of Jesse and Betsey (Sedgwick)
Lyman, he a native of Connecticut, and came to Galen about 1820, and then to Rose,
where he settled on a farm, and finally to Rose Valley, where he died in 1863. He kept
light house at Sodus Point for about ten years. Subject's mother died when he was five
years of age, and he was bound out to work for Adam Learn of Galen, with whom he
remained until he was twenty-one. He afterward worked for John Learn seven years,
worked his farm three years, and during the time bought forty acres in Rose, on which
he moved and erected buildings, remaining three years. He next worked by the month
eight years, and then rented his father-in-law's farm. In 1873 he bought the farm he
now owns, of 148 acres. No man in this town had less to start with than had Milo S.
Lyman, few have done any better. Energy, honesty and perseverance, accompanied
with a faithful devoted and capable wife, have placed him in the forefront of our towns-
men. A man to be admired and emulated. He had no school advantages and is wholly
a self-made man; what he has done every man may do. Mr. Lyman has been poor-
master one year, has been a member of the M. E. church thirty years, and has held every
office in the church of Rose Valley. He married in 1854 Rebecca, daughter of John
Barnes, by whom he had one son, John W., born in February, 1857. He was educated
in Albany Normal School (class of '79), from which he graduated with high honors, and
taught school two years in Garrison. His health failed and he died with quick consump-
tion in 1881. Mrs Lyman died May 18, 1892, and in April, 1894, he married Clarissa
Webb, of Huron. He has one adopted son, George A. Barnes, son of James Barnes, of
Huron.
Pulver, John, was born in Schoharie, N. Y., in 1807, a son of John M., who came to
Sodus in 1829. Their ancestors came from Holland in an early day and settled in
Dutchess county. John M. married Rebecca Millis, and their children were: Serene,
John, Jane, Dorcas, William, Daniel, Anson, and Jerome. John settled in Sodus and is
engaged in farming. He married Mis. Lucinda, widow of William Ellsworth. Ami
Ellsworth, the pioneer of the family in Wayne county, came from East Windsor, Conn.,
on foot in 1800, and took up one hundred acres of land on the lake west of Sodus Point.
He built a log house and returned to Connecticut for his family. They endured all the
hardships that fall to the lot of s settler in a new country. His wife was Chloe Allen, and
in 1807, learning that she had inherited some property in Connecticut, she made the
journey there and back on horseback alone. Their children were: Ami, Sophia, Huldab,
Aurelia, Julia A., Levi, Ann, William, who settled on the homestead and was a prosper-
ous and enterprising farmer. He married Lucinda Sophia Selby, of Palmyra, and died
in 1853.
Van Slyck, Charles D., was born in Sodus, December 6, 1859, and is a son of James Van
Slyck, who was born in the eastern part of the State of New York in 1820, in early life
moved to Sodus, where he died March 3, 1875. He was a farmei and a man of quiet
tastes and never sought political honors. He married Olivia Etherington, November 17,
1858, and their children were Charles D., Nellie E. (Mrs. E. J. Harvey), May H, and
Carrie Olivia (Mrs. James E. Hanby). Charles D. is a farmer on the old homestead, and
January 25, 1893, was married to Miss Eva C. Stickney.
Field, Warren A., was born in Sodus Point in 1840, and is a son of Rodoiphus, whose
father was Wells Field. This family traces its ancestry back to Sir John Field, who
came from England to Plymouth, Mass., in 1620. Rodoiphus served in the war of 1812,
being at the battle of Plattsburgh, etc. At the close of the war he settled in Utica, and
in 1818 removed to Sodus, where he died October 11, 1880. In 1815 he married
Rachael, daughter of Aaron and Susan (Watkins) Williams, of Utica, by whom he had
these children : Lurancy, William W., Elizabeth, Charles, Morris, Oliver O, Mariah,
Cleason, Catharine O, Warren A., Mary, besides two who died young. Warren settled
in Sodus Point, and at the age of fifteen years became a sailor, and with short exceptions
FAMILY SKETCHES. :;ir,
he has spent his life in this service on the lakes. He is captain and owner of the steamer
Sunbeam, and has also real estate interest at Sand Point. For several years he con-
ducted a store at Sodus Point, and was also partner in a planing mill there. He is a
member of the Sodus Bay Yacht Club. He married Elmina Harroun, and they have two
children, Alvin, and Cora, wife of Aaron Shufelt, of Sodus Point.
Sauer, Martin, was born in Germany near Bingen-on the-Rhine, came to America in
1834, when nineteen years of age, and settled in the south part of Sodus. Two brothers,
Christopher and John, came about the same time all settling in the same part of the
town. Christopher removed to Illinois about 1850. John Sauer purchased a large farm
and was one of the prosperous farmers of town. He married Eva Lang, and their chil-
dren were : John, Henry J., Christiana, Mary and George, all of whom reside in Sodus.
Martin Sauer purchased a large tract of land, and by industry has become one of the
most prominent and wealth}^ farmers in the town. He married Caroline Lang, and their
children are : Henry M., who settled in Arcadia and is a farmer. He married Mary A.
Sauer from near Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada; Caroline, who married Nicholas
Espenscheid, of Sodus ; Catherine, who married Adam Frey, of East Palmyra ; Mar-
garet, who married Asa F. Andrews, of Joy ; Barbara, William, Jacob and Charles, of
Sodus.
Seymour, Morris J., was born in Sodus on the farm he now'occupies December 24,
1840, a son of Orson, born in 1801, Avho is a son of Ebenezer who came from Pompey,
Onondaga county, about 1808, and settled at Palmyra. They removed to Williamson
and soon after to the town of Sodus. Ebenezer married Jemima Wilbur, and their chil-
dren were: Valda, Sidney (deceased), Orson, who died in 1875; Delmer, Harland,
Morris (deceased), Orlando, Lucmda, Jennette, Mary A. and Clarissa. Morris J. Sey-
mour resides on the homestead and is a farmer. In 1862 he enlisted in the 160thN. Y.
Inf., and served until the close of the war. He was wounded at the battle of Winchester.
He is a member of Dwight Post, G. A. R., of Sodus. He married in 1870 Hannah Burt
of Washington county.
Pearsall, John T., was born in Huron, Wayne county, in 1856, and is a son of Henry
who came from Saratoga to Seneca county in 1839, and about 1842 settled in the town
of Huron and engaged in farming. He married Jane Terbush, and their children were :
John O. (deceased), William H., Eleanor, Esther, George, Amanda, John T., Phoebe and
Edwin. William H. settled in Huron, where he died ; Eleanor married Cyrus E. Fitch
and seitled in Butler ; Esther married James McClure and settled in Tompkins county ;
George settled in Wolcott, where he died ; Amanda married Frank W. Hague and
settled in Niagara county ; Phoebe married first Anthony Curtis and second Abraham
Griswold, and settled in Wolcott; Edward settled in Sodus; John T. settled in Sodus
and is an enterprising farmer. He was several years excise commissioner, and in 1893
was elected assessor. He married in 1883 Adelia L., daughter of John Bates, of Sodus,
by whom he has two children : Leo B. and Theda J.
Granger, Sprague S., was born in Sodus, April 10, 1849, a son of Thomas J., who
settled in the town of Sodus when a young man, the land then being unbroken forest.
He cleared and brought under cultivation several farms, and in 1869 came to Sodus
village to reside, where he was for many years engaged in the manufacture of fanning
mills. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity, Sodus Lodge No. 392. He married
Satira Negus, and had these children : George, who settled in Sodus, where he is engaged
in the manufacture of fanning mills, etc., and who married Tammy Pulver ; Harriet A.,
who married Hezekiah Lake; Samuel, who died young; and Sprague S., who settled in
Sodus and established a lumber yard, carried on a saw and planing mill, and was engaged
in the manufacture of fanning mills, sash, doors and blinds, etc., carrying on for several
years an extensive business. He was also engaged in basket manufacturing. He takes
a keen interest in political affairs, having served as commissioner of highways, etc. He
31G LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
takes a keen interest in political affairs, having served as commissioner of highways, etc.
He is a member of Sodus Lodge No. 392, F. & A. M., and Wayne Chapter. In 1872 he
married Alice E. Wride, of Sodus, and they have one daughter, Bessie W.
Brower, Aldice W., was born near Sodus Center December 23, 1844, and is a son of
Myron, whose father, Peter Brower, was a native of New Jersey, his ancestors having
come from Holland. He settled at Phelps, N. Y., at an early day and about 1830 pur-
chased a farm about a miie south of Sodus Center where he engaged in farming. He
served in the War of 1812. He was a leading member of the Sodus Center Baptist church,
of which he was a deacon. He married Betsey Van Dusen at Phelps, and their children
were : Cynthia, who married John Yan Duzer and settled in Sodus ; John was a miller and
settled in Michigan, but later returned to Sodus where he died ; Aaron settled in Sodus;
Jane married Thomas Hopkins, of Sodus. Myron Brower settled in Sodus and was a
farmer. He married Mary Taylor, and they had these children : Aldice W., Mary E.,
who married Walter Thornton, of Sodus, and Bell, who married Charles Stell. Aldice
W. was engaged in farming until 1872, when he became agent of the railroad at Sodus
Center, which position he still holds. In 1881 he built a warehouse there, and has since
been engaged in the produce business. He has been justice of the peace four years,
supervisor of the town of Sodus three years, 1887, 1888, and 1889; and for several years
has been notary public. In February, 1873, he was appointed postmaster at Sodus
Center and held that office until July, 1893. He is a member of Sodus Lodge No. 392,
F.'& A. M.. Wayne Chapter No. 276 and Zenobia Commandery, No. 41, of Palmyra.
In December, 1863, he enlisted in the 9th Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of
the war, He is a charter member of Dwight Post, G. A. R., of Sodus. He married in
1869 Urania Dennis, of Sodus.
Wolfe, John, was born in Mecklenburg-Schwenn, Germany, January 29, 1830, and
came to this country in 1855. He was a cabinet maker by trade, and in December, 1893.
established the grocery business now carried on by him, having one of the best selected
stores in town, and keeping a line of cigars, tobacco, and imported goods. At the age
of twenty-four Mr. Wolfe married Caroline Winters, daughter of Jacob Winters, and
they have eight children, six sons and two daughters. Our subject is one of the active
business men in the town, thoroughly up in all the events of the day, and recognized as
a man of strict integrity in all his dealings.
Howell, Veron R., was born in Marion, September 16, 1847, a son-of Hiram Howell,
also of this county, born November 15, 1814. The family came from Orange. Hiram
married Alma Twadell, and they were the parents of Veron R. The latter was educated
in the common schools and finished at the Marion Collegiate Institute. He enlisted in
Co. B, 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, December 15, 1863, and participated in the battles of
Cold Harbor, Monocacy Junction, Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, having
been slightly wounded at Cold Harbor. He was honorably discharged at the close of
the war, in 1865. Returning to Marion he finished his studies, and at the age of thirty-
five married Hattie E., daughter of Oliver Sutton, of Lyons, January 1, 1874. He was
appointed deputy sheriff under R. P. Grost, and in 1877 removed to Lyons. In 1882 he
was elected sheriff of his county, serving three years. In 1886 he was appointed re-
ceiver of the firm of J. 0. Spencer & Co., of Waterloo, also executor and administrator
of several large estates in his county. Mr. Howell is identified with the best interests
of his town and county.
Van Dusen, Harlan, was born in Arcadia July 26, 1846, a son of William, who came
from Rensselaer county in 1835. The family were prominent farmers in this town.
Harlan was educated in the common schools of his town and the Marion Collegiate
Institute, after which he taught for three years, then studied medicine with Dr. Myron
Adams of Rochester. He took also a course of study at the Hahneman Medical Col-
lege of Philadelphia, and graduated from the Detroit Medical College in 1872, return-
FAMILY SKETCHES. 317
ing to Newark He there established a general practice and at the age of twenty-two
married Lucy 0. daughter of B. B. Adams, of Marion, Wayne county, who have two
children Forest E. and Harlan H. Our subject is one of the most intelligent men in
his profession, and has also lived a very active business life, being the promoter and
founder of some of the largest enterprises in his county. In 1859 he established the
business of growing small fruits, making a specialty of raspberries, being the first
grower ot the Ohio raspberries. He has now between thirty and forty acres of nur
sery stock, small fruits, etc.
Sautler, Edward, was born in Utica, September 4, 1865, a son of Christian who came
from Germany in 1849. Edward was educated in the High School of Utica and fin
ished at the business college of that place, after leaving which he engaged in' the boot
and shoe business. February 5, 1889, he came to Lyons and established the business
known as Hattler, Sautler, & Co., which was dissolved in 1893, and then established his
present business, carrying one of the largest lines of boots and shoes and rubber cr00ds
in Wayne county. They have the finest goods produced by the trade, and Mr Saut-
tler is one of the leading merchants in the town, having made a high record for integ-
rity and uprightness. &
Smith, Arthur H., was born in St. John, N. B., July 2, 1847. He is a son of Thomas
who came to Wayne county in 1848 and engaged in the malting business until 1884'
when his son, A. H., became a partner with him in the business. In 1887 he sold out
to A. H. Smith and J. K. Southen, of Boston, the stvle being the Smith Maltino- Com-
pany, which firm continued up to 1890, when A. H. Smith withdrew and built&a malt
house for himself. In 1892 he associated with F. H. Topping of Philadelphia the firm
being Smith & Topping, who continued the business until it had a capacity of 200 000
bushels. The mas built a malt house in Weedsport. He died in 1890 aged eighty-three
years. A. H. Smith married at the age of twenty-three, Mary B., daughter of David
O Bockoven, and they have two children, Arthur H, jr., and Mrs. Anna Wood Both
Mr. Smith and his father have been prominently identified with the best interests of
their town.
Norton, Luther M., was born in the town of Groveland, Livingston county Feb-
ruary 26, 1832, was educated in the common schools and at the Genesee Wesleyan
Seminary at Lima. He attended in addition to this the Genesee and Wyoming Semi-
nary at Alexander, and was a successful teacher eight years. He studied law in the
meantime, and was admitted to the bar to practice in the Supreme Court in 1855 since
which he has had a successful practice. He has resided in Newark since 1851 In the
fall of 1869 he was elected county judge, serving one term. In the fall of 1891 he was
re-elected to the same position, the term being now six years. In 1853 he married
Sarah M. Stilson of Mt. Morns, Livingston county, and they have three children ■ Flora
A., wife of William Palmer, of Palmyra, by whom she has two children. J. Bradley and
Grace. Mr. Palmer is deceased. The other children are Grace M„ who was educated
in the Elmira Female College, and is teaching in Iowa; and Willis I., who married
Maud, daughter of William Hicks of Phelps. Judge Norton and family are members
of the Baptist Church.
Catlin, Charles M., was born in the town of Phelps, Ontario county, August 22 1844
and came to this county with his parents at the age of nine years, locating in South
Sodus. He was educated in the common schools and in early life was a farmer Au-
gust 9, 1862, he eniisted in Co. D, 111th N. Y. Vols., and was promoted corporal ser-
geant, then commissary sergeant. June 11, 1865, he received his honorable discharge
and upon his return engaged in the lumber trade. He is also the proprietor of a steam
saw mill, to both of which occupations he gives his attention. December 25 1865 he
married Margaret A. Mitchell of this town, by whom he has six children ■ Mattie L
wife of Frank Oderkirk : Minnie R., wife of Lyman W. Riggs ; Charles J who is in
318 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
business with his father; Carrie B., Eugene D., and Bertie B. Mr. Catlin is a member
of Vosburg Post No. 99, G. A. R. His father was William Catlin, born in Phelps about
1810, who married Lucy Cummings of his native town, and they had five children :
Caroline, Mary, Charles M., Joseph W., and Lucy (who died young). He died in 1854
and his widow survives. Mrs. Catlin's father was Jeremiah Mitchell, born in Lyons in
1812, who married Martha Pope of Galen, and they had seven children: Rhoda J.,
John H., Calvin, Margaret A., Albert, Jeremiah and Edward. Both parents reside in
town.
Mitchell, Edward C, was born in the town of Arcadia April 21, 1858, was educated
at Sodus Academy, and is one of Arcadia's enterprising farmers. June 2. 1881, he mar-
ried Adeline Ford of Sodus, and they have two daughters, May and Ethel. Mrs.
Mitchell's father, Alonzo Ford, was born in Sodus, November 3, 1834. February 20,
1858, he married Ellen N. Lester of Sodus, formerly of Wyoming county, and they
had one child, Adeline. Mr. Ford died September 7, 1869, and his widow resides with
her daughter, Mrs. Mitchell.
Horn, George A., was born in Cayuga county September 22, 1853. He was educated
in the public schools, and is a patent right dealer by occupation. He is also putting an
invention of his wife's upon the market, an ingenuious device, or pattern for cutting
dresses. Our subject married Mrs. Henrietta Gray nee Sherwood, who is traveling in
the interests of her own invention. Mr. Horn's father, Lewis, was born in Kent, Eng-
land, March 23, 1826, and came to the United States with his parents at the age of five.
Tney located in Rose Valley, where he was educated in the common schools and is
now salesman for his son, George A. March 25, 1850, he married Mrs. Sarah A. Bene
diet, nee Burghdorf, of this county, and they have two sons: George A. and L. Duane,
who married Aggie Kelley, of Grand Rapids, Mich. The family is of English and
German descent, and residents of Newark.
Van Dusen, John H , was born in the town of Marion, Wayne county, April 12, 1830.
He was educated in the common schools, and follows farming. August 2, 1862, he en-
listed in Co. A, 160th N. Y. Vols., and when his company was organized he was made
third sergeant, was taken prisoner, paroled, and wounded in action in the right arm,
before Bisland, La., on April 12, 1863. He was honorably discharged in 1865, and May
10th of that year he married Mary A. McFarlan, of Watertown, Jefferson county, and
they have five children : Clara, wife of Lawrence McMaster, who has two children ;
Tinie, wife of Edward Haley, of Blossburg, Ba,, who has one child ; Drsue, wife of
Arthur Wheeler, of Canandaigua ; Ida M., wife of Charles M. McCoy, of Kane, Pa. ;
and Charles T., a fruit grower and farmer who resides at home. Mrs. Van Dusen's
father was John McFarlan. born in Canada in 1804, who had four daughters : Margaret,
Mary, Ethel and Kittie. He died in 1885.
Carl, Amos D., was born on the old homestead, in the northeast part of the town,
January 28, 1849. He was educated in the district schools and follows farming. He
has married twice, first to Hannah J. Sebring, by whom he had four children : Nora B.,
Francis J., Earl S. and Grace. Mrs. Carl died in 1890, and February 25, 1891, he mar.
ried Ida Cummings of Rochester, and they have one daughter, Minnie F. Mr. Carl's
father, Samuel, was born in Maine in 1800, and came here with his parents when
a child, the journey being made in a covered wagon. He married Jane Drake of
this town, and they had eight children : Catharine, Amos D., Sarah J., Benjamin F.,
Joseph D., Mary, Ella and Jehiel. The father died about 1878, and his widow survives.
Mr. Carl's grandfather, Benjamin, came here when the country was a wilderness, and
suffered all the hardships of pioneer life.
Travers, Mrs. Jane A., was born in Arcadia. The late George W. Travers was a native
of Wayne county, born November 17, 1840, and was educated in the district schools.
FAMILY SKETCHES. 319
His early life was spent at farm work, and his mother died when he was seven years of
age. February 4, 1866, he married Jane A. Miller, of the town of Arcadia, hy whom he
had three children: William, who died in infancy ; Hattie M., who died in her eleventh
year; and Nettie A., who resides with her mother. Mr. Travers was a railway con-
ductor on the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. and died April 25, 1892. Mrs. Travers's father,
Silas Miller, was born ia the town of Phelps, Ontario county about 1816. (See Edgar
D, Miller's history in this work).
Mitchell, Albert, was born in the old homestead in the town of Arcadia, November 6,
1847. He was educated in the common schools and has always followed farming. He
owns a fine farm in Ingham county, Mich., on which his oldest son is located, while he is
farmer for his aged parents here. December 13, 1868, he married Caroline Sebring of
this town, and they have three sons: Lyman J., Charles A., and George H. Lyman
married Mahala Darling, of Jackson county, Mich., and they have one son, Hugh D..
born February 13, 1893. Mrs. Albert Mitchell's father, Philip Sebring, was born in
Dutchess county March 2, 1809, and married Lydia Gilllet of Lyons, born in Dutchess
county August 30, 1817, by whom he had ten children ; James, Alfred, a soldier in the
Rebellion, who died from starvation in Salisbury Prison, North Carolina; Ira, also a sol-
dier; Edgar, Susan, who died aged twelve; Caroline, Hannah J., who died aged thirty-
nine • Charles A., Fannie and Sylvester. He died September 2, 1866, and his wife died
August 153 1883.
Frisbie, Alexander, was born in Canaan, Columbia county, N. Y., September 19, 1824,
was educated in the public schools, and has followed farming. In 1851 he married
Mary A. Lay of his native county and they had four daughters: Phoebe and Ruth
(twins). Susan and Judith, all deceased except Mrs. Ruth Miller of East Newark. Mrs.
Frisbie died July 28, 1888, mourned by a bereaved husband and daughter. Mr. Frisbie
has built up his success by his own perseverance and energy, The Frisbie family came
originally from France, they being Huguenots who fled to Wales, and from there came
to the United States.
Ehrhardt, George, was born in Alsace, France (now Germany), February 6, 1825, and
came to this country with his parents when five years old in 1830, and they located in
Lyons, this county. April 10, 1856, he married Lena Schimp, of his native town, and
their children are as follows : Diedrich, who married Helen Baltzel, and has three children,
Frank, Grover, and Belle; M. Jane, who married Jacob Hartman, of Palmyra, and has
three children, Diedrich, Anna M , and Raymond ; George H., who married Mary
Heidenreich, and has three children, Rupert, Eveline, and Edna (who {died young) ;
Philip E., who married Elizabeth Rasche, and had one child, Raymond E. (who died
young) ; Rosa M., who married George Baltzel, and had four children, Albertine M.,
Mabel R., Esther M., and Ruth L. Mr. Baltzel died in June, 1892; E. Belle, who is a
teacher, and resides at home ; Louisa (deceased) ; William F., and Frederick, who are
farmers, and living at home. Mr. Ehrhardt has owned the homestead farm since 1872.
Sheer, the late Jacob, was born in Alsace, France (now Germany), May 30, 1826, and
at the age of eleven years came to the United States with his parents, where he was
educated in the public schools. They finally came to the town of Lyons, and later to the
town of Arcadia. July 25, 1850, he married Elizabeth Ehrhardt, and they had eight
children, four sons and four daughters: George H., who died in infancy ; Mary L., who
married John Benning, of Lyons; Albert D., who married Louisa Kaiser, of Fairville,
and is a postal clerk ; George E., a farmer at home for himself and his mother. He mar-
ried Clara Austin, of this town ; and Helen A., who married William H. Welcher, now
of Lyons ; Harold, Emma E., and Caroline D. are deceased. Mr. Sheer died February
7, 1889. The father of Mrs. Sheer was Dederich Erhardt, who was born in Alsace, and
married Dorothy Brock, of his native place. They had six children, Lena, Dorothy,
320 LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
George, Philip, Elizabeth, and a daughter. This excellent family came to the United
States in 1830.
Craver, Phillip H., was born in Rensselaer county, July 15, 1825, and came herewith
his parents in 1841. He was educated in the district schools and has taught school
winters several terms. He is a farmer by occupation. November 14, 1863, he married
Martha Burnett, of this town. Two children were born to them, James A., a farmer at
home with his father, and Emma, who also resides at home. The son was educated in
the public schools and the Commercial College at Rochester. Mr. Craver's father,
David I., was born in Rensselaer county, February 5, 1796. He was a farmer and
mechanic by occupation. He married Elizabeth Fellers, of that county. They had
three children, Phillip H, Charity, and Melissa. He died April 5, 1885, and his wife
October 1, 1882. Mrs. Craver's father, William Burnett, was born in Rensselaer county,
March 3, 1802. On August 24, 1822, he married Betsey Budd, of Columbia county, by
whom he had eight children.
Bennett, Clark, was born in Niagara county in 1856. His father was Orrin S., a son
of Thomas Bennett, who came from Vermont in an early day and settled in Barre,
Orleans county. In 1873 Orrin S. removed to Wayne county and settled in Sodus.
He was a carpenter by trade, which he followed for some time, and later engaged in
farming. He married Salome Baldwin, by whom he had two sons, Clark T. and
Orlando. Orrin S. died in 1893. Orlando Bennett settled in Sodus Point. On arriving
at manhood our subject was engaged in farming for several years, but since 1882 has
had charge of the mercantile business of E. B. Mathes, at Sodus Center. In 1880 he
married Florence, daughter of John Brant. She died in 1887, leaving two children,
Ross and Lulu. In 1888 Mr. Bennett married Helen Proseus.
Patrick, the late Isaac N., was born in Pittsford, Monroe county, November 7, 1822,
and came to this town with his parents when three years old. He was educated in the
district schools and was always a farmer. December 23, 1869, he married Mary Ann
Derry, who was born April 10, 1840, in Fendrayton, Cambridgeshire, England. They
had two children, Sarah E., who married John C. Penoyer, of Bristol, Ontario county,
and has three children ; and Walter J., who was horn February 8, 1865, was educated
in the district schools and at Newark Union School and Academy, and is a farmer on
the home farm. February 7, 1884, he married Julia A. Bloom, of this town, and they
had one son, Newton J., born April 17, 1888, who died August 7, 1893. Isaac N. Pat-
rick died March 22, 1888, mourned by a bereaved wife and family. He was a member
of the Masonic order. His father, John, was born March 1, 1788, and was a captain in
the war of 1812, and a Mason. Mrs. Patrick's brother, Aldred Derry, was a soldier in
the late war in the cavalry branch of the service, and was promoted to the position of
captain. John Patrick was a manufacturer of plows. The Patrick family located on
this homestead about 1828. The ancestry of this family is Scotch and English.
Blakely, La Mott M., a native of the State of New York, was born in Wyoming
county in the year 1830, where h's parents, who were natives of Vermont, settled in
1817. His mother's parents were English, and his father's were Scotch. In his younger
days he attended school in Wyoming county, and later at Honeoye and Richmond
Mills, Ontario county, and completed his education at the East Bloomfield Academy.
He began business in the lumber trade in Iowa and Illinois, and later extending his
operations to the Missouri river, became a heavy shipper of lumber from points on the
Mississippi river to all points on the Missouri river below St. Joseph, and continuing
the business until the breaking out of the Rebellion, which closed for the time all traffic
on the Missouri. At the close of the war he went to Atlanta. Georgia, where he
engaged in an extensive cotton trade, which later he pursued at Washington, Newbern,
and Greenville, North Carolina, handling at one time a large portion of all the cotton
received at these ports. Still later he resumed the lumber trade and became one of
FAMILY SKETCHES. 321
the heaviest operators in the South. These operations extended over twenty years, and
Georgetown, S. C, and Washington, and Newbern, N. C, were the principal points of
these operations. During his long stay in the South he won the respect and good will
of the southern people, and few, if any, has more warm friends in the sunny south to-
day. He returned to Lyons a few years ago, where his people had resided since 1848.
From the time of his return he has taken great interest in the advancement of Lyons.
He has served as member of the board of trustees ; was made an alternate delegate to
the national convention at Minneapolis in 1892, and last March was elected president
of the village, and has been active in matters tending to improve the village, especially
the streets and water courses. His administration has been characterized both by
public improvements and the economical expenditure of public money.
Grenell, Herman, was born in Galen, March 9, 1843, son of Herman and Lydia (Cobbj
Grenell, he a native of Massachusetts, and she of Phelps, Ontario county, and came to
Galen when Mr. Grenell was eight years old, with his parents, John and Lucy Grenell,
natives of Massachusetts. Mr. Grenell died in April, 1885, and his wife in 1890. Sub-
ject was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. He has always been a
farmer and owns seventy-five acres in Galen and 200 in Rose. He married in 1865,
Marion C. Griner, a native of Clyde, and daughter of Barney and Phoebe Griner, early
settlers of Clyde, where they died. Mr. Grenell and wife had three children : Eugene,
who married Ida Glove, by whom he has one child, Florence ; Lydia, wife of Edward
Luffman, who died aged twenty-two years leaving one child ; and Ada at home.
INDEXES.
Adams, William H., Gen., 115
Agricultural fair, the first, 159
Horticultural and Mechanical Asso-
ciation of Galen, 163
Society, Ontario, 160
Palmyra, Union, 162
Sodus, 164
Wayne County, 160
Aldrich, W. F., 117
Alloway, 246
Alton, 214
Angell's Corners, 277
Arcadia, cemeteries in, 364
churches of, 377 et seq.
first town meeting in, 358
pioneers of, 360 et seq.
schools of, 365
statistics of, 363
supervisors of, 359
topography of, 357
Arcadian Weekly Gazette, the, 142
Arne, David, Dr., 129
Arnold, George H., 120
Ashley, Robert, Dr., 129
R. W., 117
Attorneys of Wayne county, 112
Averill, E. S. , 132
Bank, Briggs National, 271
First National, of Newark, 373
of Palmyra, 187
Lyons National, 245
of Lyons, 245
Wayne County, 187
Bankers of Clyde, 271
of Lyons, 245
of Newark, 373
of Wolcott, 297
Banks of Sodus, 211
Barless Brothers, the, 145
Romain C, Dr., 129
Bashford, Coles, 117
Bennett, Josiah, Dr., 128
Bonnicastle, 425
Bottum, Edward W., Dr., 125
Burgess Brothers (W. C. and F. D.),
142
Burnham, Edwin K. , 134
Burr, H. N., Dr., 143
Butler Center, 435
churches of, 435 et seq.
first town meeting in, 428
pioneers of, 429 et seq.
schools of, 434
statistics of, 433
supervisors of, 428
topography of, 42 7
Camp, John H., 116
Canal schemes, 71
Chapin, Graham H., 115
Churches of Arcadia, 377
Butler, 435
Galen, 277
Huron, 425
Lyons, 246
Macedon, 344
Marion, 392
Ontario, 326
Palmyra, 191
Rose, 415
Savannah, 356
Sodus, 215
Walworth, 400
Williamson, 316
Wolcott, 300
134
LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Civil divisions, original, of New York
State, 1
list, 96
demons, Anson B., 133
Climatology, 5
Clyde Electric Company, 270
fire department of, 269
glass manufacture in, 272
malting interest in, 274
manufacturers of, 272 et seq.
mineral springs in, 272
pioneers of, 264
presidents of, 267
Times, the, 139
water supply of, 270
Colvin, Darwin, Dr., 126
Cooper, George W. , 142
County Poorhouse, 164
Court, Chancery, 104
County, 106
house, the first, 111
of Appeals, 102
Special Sessions, 109
vSupreme, 103
Surrogate's, 107
Courts, evolution of the, 101
Crafts, Alfred P., Dr., 129
Crandall, F. G., 133
Packing Company, 189
Crittenden, Hulburt, Dr., 131
Culver, Charles, Dr., 130
Curtis, E., 144
David, William G., Dr., 130
Democratic Herald, the, 140
Dickson, John J., Dr., 128
1 )istrict attorneys, 109
East Palmyra, 190
Williamson, 316
Eddy Brothers (M. Allen and William S.),
144
Ehart, Albert M., 140
Ely, Linus, Dr., 130
English duplicity, 27
Erie Canal, 67
Fairvillle, 376
Families, list of heads of, settled west of
pre-emption line in 1790, 33
Fish, H. H., 142
Forte, Irwin A., 140
Fruit culture, 93
Fruitland, 326
Furnace Village, 300
Furnaceville, 326
Galen, cemeteries of, 26:>
churches of, 277 et seq.
first town meeting in, 255
pioneers of, 256 et seq.
roads of, 254
schools of, 262
statistics of, 255
supervisors of, 255
topography of, 251
Garlock Packing Company, 189
Genesee country, the, in 1792. 36
in 1796, 37
Road," the "Great, 35
Geology, 4
Glenwood, 415
Globe Manufacturing Company, 189
Greenwood, William, Dr., 128
Hall Center, 392
Holly, John M., 116
Huron, churches of, 425 et seq.
first town meeting in, 420
pioneers of, 421 et seq.
schools of, 424
statistics of, 424
supervisors of, 420
topography of, 417
Hyde, Zenas, Dr., 124
Hydeville, 377
Indian remains, 13
Indians, Cayuga and Seneca, 11
in Wayne connty, 9
part taken by the, in the early wars, 12
Iron ore, 8
Jerome, Hiram K., 115
Jesuits and the Indians, 11
Jewell, Ezra, 115
Johnson, Lawrence, Dr., 130
Joy, 214
Judges from Wayne county, 107
Ketchum, L. S., 118
Kingman, Charles M., Dr., 131
INDEX.
325
Kirkland, Samuel, Rev., 12
Knowles, George W. , 134
sr., John, Dr., 130
Lake Bluff, 425
Lakeside, 326
Lake Shore News, the, 145
Land divisions, early, 14 et seq.
by State commissions, 25
Lawton, Charles D. , 119
Limestone, 8
Lincoln, 400
Livingston, George P., Dr., 131
Lock, Berlin, 276
Lummis, William N., Dr., 126
Lummisville,425
Lux, Albert C, 141
Lyons Academy, 236
Advertiser, the, 135
Board of Trade, 245
churches of, 246 et seq.
Courant, the, 138
Driving Park Association, 161
Electric Light Company, 244
Musical Academy, 237
pioneers of, 223 et seq.
Republican, the, 134, 136
schools of, 235
statistics of, 235
supervisors of, 222
topography of, 221
village, fire department of, 244
incorporation of, 243
presidents of, 243
settlement and pioneers of, 238
et seq.
Water Works Company, 244
Macedon Academy, 336 et seq.
cemeteries in, 335
Center, 342
churches of, 344 et seq.
first town meeting of, 330.
Historical and Geographical Society,
339
pioneers of, 332 et seq.
schools of, 336
statistics of, 331
supervisors of, 330
Macedon topography of, 329
village, 339 et seq.
Mann, Hiram, Dr., 130
Map of Central and Western New York
in 1809, 40
Genesee lands, between 20 and 21
Lake Iroquois, 3
Western New York, 22
outline, of pre-emption lines, 16
Marbletown, 377
Marengo, 276
Marion, cemeteries in, 388
churches of, 392
Collegiate Institute, 389
Enterprise, the, 144
first town meeting in, 383
Horse Trotters' Association, 164
pioneers of, 384 et seq.
schools of, 389
statistics of, 390
supervisors of, 384
topography of, 382
village, 390
Mason, Clark, 119
Masonic, 146 et seq.
Clyde Lodge, No. 341, 149
Galen Lodge, No. 367, 149
Humanity Lodge, No. 283, 147
No. 406, 159
Macedon Lodge, No. 665, 154
Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 112, 151
Newark Lodge, No. 83, 150
Palmyra Lodge, No. 248, 151
Pultneyville Lodge, No. 159, 146
Red Creek Lodge, No. 560, 154
Rose Lodge, No. 590, 155
Savannah Lodge, No. 764, 153
Sodus Lodge, No. 392, 147
Walworth Lodge, No. 254, 153
Wayne Lodge, 153
Griswold Chapter, 201, 150
Newark Chapter, No. 117, 151
Palmyra Eagle Chapter, No. 79, 152
Raymond Chapter, No, 100, E. S., 154
Wayne Chapter, No. 276, 147
Palmyra Council, No. 26, 152
Zenobia Commandery, No. 41, 152
326
LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY
.May. William, Dr., 130
Meadville, or Lockpit, 277
Medical Society, Wayne County, 121
Wayne County Homeopathic, 124
Middleton, George H., 118
Military Tract, the, 21
Mormonism, 76
Morris Reserve, the, '21
Robert, and the London Associa-
tion, 28
Newark Academy, 366
Fair Association, 164
tire department, 372
incorporation of, 371
pioneers of, 867 et seq.
presidents of, 371.
Union, the, 142
Weekly Courier, the, 141
New York and Genesee Land Company,
IT
State Custodial Asylum, 374
Newsgatherer, the, Macedon, 144
Niagara Genesee Land Company, 17
Norris Fruit Evaporator, 211
North Huron, 424
Rose, 414
Wolcott, 300
Norton, Luther M., 119
( >dd Fellows, 155 et seq.
Bay Shore Lodge, No. 606, 1 58
Butler Lodge, No. 504, 158
Clyde Lodge, No. 300, 156
East Ridge Lodge, No. 415, 158
Galen Lodge, No. 198(36), 156
Lyons Lodge, No. 75, 157
No. 317, 158
Newark Lodge, No. 196, 157
No. 250, 157
North Sodus Lodge, No. 454, 15s
Ontario Shore Lodge, No. 495, 159
Phil Sheridan Lodge, No. 430, 15.')
Pierian Lodge. No. 243, 155
Wayne Lodge, No. 158, 155
Canton Galen, No. 49, 150
Wayne Encampment, No. 85, 157
Component No. IT of (hand Canton
Stebbins, 1 5s
Olin S.. Dr., 130
Ontario Agricultural Society, bid
Center, 326
churches of, 326
Iron Company, 320
loss of town records of, 321
pioneers of, 321 et seq.
schools of. 32 I
statistics of, 325
topography of, 319
village, 325
Palmyra, cemeteries of , 177
churches of, 191
Classical Union School, 17s
Courier, the, 132
I >emocrat, the, 134
early roads of, 166
Electric Light and Power Company,
is;
first town meeting in, 167
Freeman, the, 132
Gas Light Company, 187
Journal, the, 134
pioneers of, 168 et seq.
Register, the, 132
schools of, 17 T
settlement of Long Island Colony in
172
statistics of, 1 79
supervisors of, 168
topography of, 165
Union Agricultural Society, 162
village, 179 et seq.
business of, 190
early days of, ISO
incorporation of, is:;
merchants of, 181
presidents of, ISO
Whig, the, 132
Peck, Nelson, Dr., 130
Peddie, James, lis
Phelps & Gorham purchase, 18
Phelps's " mill yard," 19
Physicians, early, 121 el seq.
Pierce, Jeremiah B., Dr., 130
Pioneers, character and methods of, 6
condition of, 46
INDEX.
327
Plumb, S. Hiram, \)\\, 129
Pomeroy, Charles G., Dr., 126
Port Glasgow (Resort post-office), 425
Pre-emption lines, the, 15
Prices of commodities in 1801, 52
Pultneyville, 314.
Railroads, 74
Red Creek, -.".is
Herald, the, 140
Regiment, Seventeenth, 84
Twenty-seventh, 84
Thirty-third, 85
Forty-fourth, 85
Ninety-eighth, 85
One Hundred and Eleventh, 86
One Hundred and Thirty-eighth, 87
One Hundred and Sixtieth, 88
Eighth, Cavalry, 89
Twenty-second, Cavalry, 91
First, Veteran Cavalry, 89
Rice's Settlement, 425
Roads at the beginning of the century, 53
Robinson, Gain, Dr., 128
Thomas, 120
Rogers, Ryland J., Dr., 130
Rose, cemeteries in, 411
churches or 415 et seq.
first town meeting in, 404
"money diggers" in, 411
pioneers of, 405 et seq.
schools of, 410
statistics of, 409
supervisors of, 405
topography of, 402
Union, the, 145
Valley, 413
Routes, early, into Wayne county, 35
Roys, Charles H., 120
Russell, Allen S., Dr., 128
"Salt Hollow," Sodus, 198
Savannah, churches of, 350
first town meeting in, 340
News, the, 142
pioneers of, 349 et seq.
schools of, 353
statistics of, 353
supervisors of, 349
Savannah Times, the, I 13
topography of, :; Hi
village, 354
Settlement, the beginning of, :;n el i q.
the first, in Wayne County, -II
Sickness in early years, 0
Sisson, William, 117
Sherman, Fletcher J., [)r., 125
Sherwood, Clinton R., 138
Lyman, 116
Shut-in-Visitor, the, 144
Sodus Academy, 210
Agricultural Society, 104
Bay, 3, 43
cemeteries in, 209
Center, 213
churches of, 215 et seq.
early town meetings in, 200
pioneers of, 202 et seq.
Point, 212
roads and railroads in, 1 lis
schools of, 209
statistics of, 198, 210
supervisors of, 201
topography of, 197
village, 211 et seq.
South Butler, 434
Huron (Huron post-office), 425
Sodus, 214
Springs, sulphur and salt, 7
" State's hundred," 25
Stow, William S., 118
Streams, 5
Strong, Theron R., 113
Surrogates, 108
Sweeting, Mortimer F., Dr., 131
Taft, Horatio N., 119
Teall, Willis C, 143
Thomas, William H., 145
Tinsley, William T., 137
Towns, dates of formation of, 2
Transportation, means of, 05
Tucker, Pomeroy, 132
Valentine, Peter, Dr., 128
Van Camp, sr., William, 135
Vosburg, Hiram D., Dr., 125
William, Dr., 131
328
LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Wallington, 213
Walworth, cemeteries in, 399
churches of, 400 et seq.
incomplete records of, 395
pioneers uf, 395 et seq.
schools of, 398
statistics of, 398
topography of, 394
village, 399
War of 1812, 55
effects of on Wayne county, 63
of the Rebellion, 83
Wayne Center, 414
county, after the Rebellion, !M
Agricultural Society, 160
Alliance, the. 14:!
area of, 8
attorneys of, 112
Building, Loan and Accumulat-
ing Fund Association, 188
climate of, 5
dates of the formation of the
towns of, 2
Dispatch, the, 133
erection of, 73
first courts in, 110
geology of, 4
Homeopathic Medical Society.
124
Journal, the, 133
Medical Society, 121
natural characteristics of, 7
newspapers of, 132 et seq.
Preserving Company, 376
soil of, 2
statistics of, 94
Wayne county streams of, 5
Democratic Press, the, 135
Sentinel, the, 132
Weier, John E., 134
West Butler, 435
Macedon, 342
Walworth, 399
Western New York, condition of, at the
close of the Revolution, ".'(i
Wilkinson, Jemima, 31
Williamson, cemeteries in, 312
churches of, 316 et seq.
first town meeting in, 305
pioneers of, 307 et seq.
schools of, 312
Sentinel, the, 143
statistics of, 306
supervisors of, 306
topography of, 304
village, 313
Williamson, Charles, 29, 35, 4",'; policy of,
50; 159, 202
Wilson, J., 141
James M., Dr., 129
Wolcott, cemeteries in, 293
churches of, 300 et seq.
first town meeting in, 284
pioneers of, 286 et seq.
roads of, 284
schools of, 293
statistics of, 292
supervisors of, 286
topography of, 282
village, 295 et seq.
Zurich, 376
INDEX. 329
PART II.
Allerton, Oliver Hurd, 10
Bickford, Lyman, . 13
Blakely, Lamott M. , -37
Botcher, Carl, 23
Burnham, Edwin K. , 12
Camp, John Henry, 7
Clark, William, 16
Cowles, George W., 26
Dun well, James W. , 34
Edgett, Ezra A. , - 9
Fisher, Jacob, 28
Ford, Charles H., 32
Gaylord Family, the, - 36
Green, Byram, 39
Greenwood, Marvin I. , 33
Griffith, Frederick W., 31
Hopkins, M. , 41
Hotchkiss, Hiram G., 29
Landon, Newell E., Dr., 26
Mestler, Nicholas, 12.
Miller, Edgar D.,._ 14
Parshall, De Witt W.,... 38
Sawyer, S. N. , 9
Saxton, Charles T., 2
Sexton, Pliny,... 18
Sexton, Pliny T., 21
Sherman, Charles B., 40
Stuerwald, John, 14
Thomas, Orlando F. , , 15
Williams, Stephen K. , • 5
Yeomans, Theron G. , 23
PART III,
ARCADIA.
Allerton, Byron, 299 Barnard, Walter, 34
Allerton, Henry R., 300 Barnes, John W., Dr., 297
Amerman, Albert, 298 Bartle, Andrew C, 24
Axtell, Wells H., 299 Bartle, Warren S., 303
pp
mo
LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Benton, John W., 32
Blackmar, Ransom and Esbon, .311
Blossom, William H., 297
Botcher, Carl, 294
Brewer, Fred J., 298
Brownell, M. Alice, 30
Bryant, Lewis J., 23
Burgess, A. P., Rev., 301
Burleigh, Emor E., 298
Burnett, Daniel, 294
Burnham, Edwin K., 24
Carl, Amos D., 318
Catlin, Charles M., 317
Conklin, Clarence, 37
Craver, Philip H., 320
Cronise Family, the, 310
Cronise, John S. , 293
Crothers, Charles L., 293
Cull, William C, 292
Dewey, James S., 291
Dickson, William, 305
Dillenbeck, John, 290
Donk, August, 43
Drake, Harry R. , 302
Edgett, Ezra A., 48
Eggleston, Henry, 290
Ehrhardt, George, 319
Finley, Luther, 288
Fisk, H. Hudson, 312
Fleming, William, 289
Frey, Leonard, 288
Frey, Philip, 288
Frisbie, Alexander, 319
Galusha, Robert M., 286
Garlock, Abram, 284
Garlock, Frank, 118
Garlock, James P., 58
Gaslin, George B., 283
Gifford, John P., 286
Gilbert, Joseph, 284
Gray, Peter, 283
Greenwood, Marvin I., 282
Groat, Richard P., 283
Gulick, Charles L., 307
Hamm, Moses F., 59
Hankenson, Edward L., 303
Hartnagel, Leonard, 278
Hoeltzel, George, 306
Hoffman, Frederick, 276
Horn, George A., 318
Hyde, Artemas W. , 304
Hyde, William H , 276
Jenkins, Thomas J., 275
Jones, Albert N., 274
Kaiser, John, 273
Keener, Stephen N., 273
Keir, Alexander, 274
Keller, Jacob, 72
Kelley, Albert E. , 74
Kelley, Charles E., 302
Kelley, Clarence M. , 312
Kelley, William H., 224
Kennedy, Thomas, 273
Kneeland, Francis W., Rev., 273
Langdon, Thomas, 270
Landon, Newell E. , 75
Leggett, Charles E., 272
Lincoln, Theron L., 272
Lovejoy, David W., 271
Lusk, Christopher, 270
McDermott, John B., 268
McDonald, Nicholas L., 78
Marble Brothers, 308
Miller, E. Alvin, 267
Miller, Frederick C, 308
Miller, MaryL., Mrs., 267
Miller, Samuel B. , 269
Miller, William R., 268
Mills, William R., Dr., 267
Mitchell, Albert, 319
Mitchell, Edward C, 318
Moore, Isaac, 85
Morse, Rollin E., 266
Nellis, Peter E., 265
Nicholoy, William H., 265
Nolan, William H, 306
Norton, Luther M., 317
Nutten, Wilbur F., 86
Olmstead, John H., 264
Ostrander, Melvin, 265
Palms, Andrew, 261
Patrick, Isaac N., 320
Peek, Winslow J., 262
Phillips, Clark, 89
INDEX.
331
Pierson, Henry R., 260
Pitts, Jesse G., 309
Pratt, Elizabeth A., 262
Preseott, Joel H., 260
Price, George H., 261
Price, Seward F., 261
Pyatt, Stephen A., 260
Reed, JaredA., 99
Reeves, J. Dupha, 146
Richards, Sidney S., 301
Richmond, Charles E., 258
Ridley, William, 302
Robinson, Calib R., 257
Robinson, John N., 97
Robinson, Minard, 308
Rupert, Conrad, 256
Schaich, George, 311
Schwartz, Charles J., 256
Schwartz, Franklin, 256
See, Myron, 254
Sheer, Jacob, 319
Sherman, Durfee A., 107
Sherman, Levi, 251
Sherman, Wilson O., 109
Siegrist, Alois, 108
Smith, Daniel P., 253
Smith, Rufus, 109
Soverhill, Charles W., 252
Spoor, Eliza D. , 309
Stebbins, William H. H., 101
Stever, Jacob E., 100
Stuart, Charles W., 110
Stuart, John E., 252
Tator, Jacob, 116
Thomas, Byron, 6
Thurston, Albert L., 250
Tiffany, George W., 309
Travers, Jane A., Mrs., 318
Van Dusen, John H., 318
Van Dusen, Richard, 305
Van Duser, Sylvester B., 8
Van Marter, David, 305
Van Tassel, Philip, 249
Vorberg, Robert T. , Rev. , 308
Walch, Edward, 246
Weinman, Jacob, 307
Welcher, Charles A., 302
West, George H., 304
White, Charles S., 19
White, Patricks., 247
Whitney, William, 248
Wilson, J., 301
Williams, Fletcher, 310
Winspear, Charles W., 13
Young, Augustus A. , Dr. , 245
BUTLER.
Aiken, John B., 22
Bacon, Nathan, 167
Bacon, Rufus J., 167
Brewster, A. E., 167
Bullock, F. L., 172
Burghdorf, Adonijah, 121
Burghduff, W. R., 167
Calkins, Clarissa V., 189
Cole, SalathielA., 189
Darling, Martin, 116
Dratt, L. H., 180
Everhart, H. L., 176
Everhart, W. H., 157
Fitch, Cyrus E., 137
Fowler, M. S.,50
Graham, E. P., 307
Hibbard, Fremont, 237
Hibbard, Nettie, 68
Hogan, Sarah A., 131
Loveless, Elnather, 218
Loveless, Ransom, 77
McCourtie, John, 215
Mack, I. T., 215
Mack, IraW., 214
Mathews, F. H., 83
Mitchell, D. P., 85
Olmstead, Ira M., 87
Pierson, Forest R., 93
Pangburn, George W., 121
Pritchard, Edward, 209
Pritchard, John, 119
Roe, Sophia H. , Mrs. , 205
332
Landmarks of wayne county.
Rosenberg, M. M., 119
Spencer, Andrew, 197
Sprague, John, 198
Sweeting, Mortimer F., 154
Taintor, C. A. L.,113
Tyler, Henry, 195
Upham, H. M., 193
Vantassel, Elmer, 194
Van Vleck, Lawrence, 193
Yiele, Lucius H., 126
Wadsworth, Philip, 14
Wager, D. M., 228
Westcott, John H., 231
Wetherel, Darius, 232
Wheeler, Hiland H., 117
Wilson, George R., 229
Wilson, Gorham J., 219
Wilson, John, 231
Wood, Rose E., 120
Wood, William, 18
GALEN.
Baker, George O., 29
Barnes, R. R., 25
Barrett, George JJ., 27
Barton, Archibald, 28
Benjamin, William, 20
Bishop, Alvin, 166
Bishop, John Calvin, 25
Bockoven, H. S., 27
Bockoven, W. H., 124
Bowen, Seth, 166
Brockmyre, Chris., 166
Brooks, Benjamin, 172
Brown, Charles, 29
Brown, George A., 32
Burnett, A. C, 31
Burnett, William, 26
Clarke, Sylvester H., 39
Clasby, Patrick W. , 1 1 6
Clouse, Charles, 189
Corrin, E. Q, 34
Creager, William, 189
Daboll, Homer, 46
De Laney, Henry Suydam, 181
Denison, Porter G., 47
Devereaux, Albert F., 47
Devoe, Daniel, 181
Dickie, James, 43
Edwards, D. L., 178
Ely, Charles H., 134
Emigh, David A., 179
Everhart, Samuel, 179
Ever, Henry, 179
Field, A. S., 51.
Field, W. N.,52
Finch, Charles H., 178
Finch, David S., 50
Foist, George P., 176
Ford, Charles H., 245
Freeland, Charles D., 50
Freeman, Frank R., 178
Furlong, Perry B. , 156
Gautz, Philip, 279
Gilbert, N. B., 123
Gillett, William, 58
Gordon, John, 241
Graham, Albert G., 135
Graham, Archibald M., 223
Greenway, George B., 57
Gridley, Edward, 279
Griswold, William H., 55
Hartman, William Louis, 66
Haugh, Frank A., 238
Heisler, Henry, 59
Heit, Jacob, 61
Heit, Philip, 155
Hinman, J. W., 136
Howard, Frank, 134
Hoyt, George H.,240
Hunt, W. A., 67
Hurley, N. A., 237
Jordan, W. T, 218
Kellogg, Henry, 235
Kennedy, Charles R., 72
Lamb, Chauncey B., 119
Lang, Philip, 77
Luffman, William, 134
INDEX.
333
Lundy, Levi, 217
Lux, Charles A., 217
Mclntyre, Calvin, jr., 153
McMath, William, 81
Mead, John Calvin, Rev., 215
Meade, M. W.,233
Meade, Peleg, 80
Mestler, Nicholas A. 234
Millard, George F., 83'
Murphy, Joseph E., 214
Muth, James R., 79
O'Dell, Margaret, 133
Osborne, William H. , 88
Palmer, L. H., 90
Perry, D. H.,94
Porter, Ellery J., 134
Porter, George E., 92
Powers, Israel, 120
Redfield, Albert F., 97
Roe, George G., 205
Roffee, E. M., 95
Rooke, Thomas, 95
Ruf, John P., 99
Sands, Edwin, 109
Shephard, Harvey, 198
Simmons, Henry E., 199
Skinner, Salmon H., 109
Sloan, Charles A., 199
Smith, Arthur H., 317
Smith, F. B., 107
Smith, J. E., Ill
Southard, Henry, 198
Spencer, John M., 107
Stock. John, 199
Stow, De L., 108
Strauss, Jacob,- 100
Streeter, S. D., 199
Syron, M. Barton, 134
Terry, Fred H., 4
Thorn, Thomas P., 195
Tobin, William M., 196
Traver, Asa, 4
Traver, Henry, 196
Van Buskirk, Jacob T., 6
Vandenberg, John, 300
Vosburgh, John, 194
Vrooman, W. R., 9
Waldurff, Peter, 15
Watson, Garhardus L., 232
Watson, Harvey C, 230
Weed, Abram, 136
Weed, Benjamin, 230
Welch, P. J., 230
Wells, E. B., 11
Willoughby, S. E., 11
Wood, Sidney W., 113
Young, Henry, 19
Zeluff, Charles E., 19
HURON.
Barnes, Harvey D., 31
Booth, Charles R., 173
Boyd, James, 170
Cady, Stephen P., 186
Cahoon, William R., 127
Catchpole, Benjamin, 185
Catchpole, James, 191
Catchpole, Robert, 125
Chapin, Joseph R., 41
Chapin, Spencer E., 190
Church, Adonijah, 187
Cole, Romain H., 185
Converse, Charles, 190
Cosad, Frank, 135
Creque, Arvin H., 187
Davis, William H., 182
Delling, Albert, 183
Demmon, John W., 44
Dickinson, George A., 138
Doty, John Franklin, 182
Dowd, JudsonH., 182
Flint, Dwight B., 52
Fuller, Erastus B., 51
Gardner, Ishmael G. , 58
Gatchell, William W., 57
Heck, Augustus, 65
Hendrick, Austin, 137
Henry, William, 61
334
LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Houston, James, 67
Kellecutt, Charles B. , 72
Kellogg, Ethan B., 235
Kline, Rebecca, Mrs., 73
Klumpp, Daniel, 236
Legg, Osborn L., 74
McKee, Joshua, 84
Michel, Mary, Mrs., 213
Olmsted, William A., 210
Palmer, William A., 117
Pierce, Eugene H., 92
Ouereau, George Henry, 210
Quereau, William, 93
Rice, Stephen D., 97
Robinson, William H., 99
Scott, William W., 219
Seavey, Alvah H., Ill
Seeber, James W., 126
Shannon, Lester H., 201
Sheldon, Roger, 203
Slaght, George Ambrose, 197
Smith, John Sled, 200
Snyder, William H., 126
Talcott, Benjamin A., 4
Terbush, Sophronia, Mrs., 127
Terbush, William Spencer, 195
Thomas, Andrew A., 4
Thomas, Philip, 194
Weed, Luther, 13
Weed, Oscar, 15
Wells, Edward B. , 229
Wood, Mason Garton, 128
York, Benjamin S., 226
York, George Dauson, 121
LYONS.
Alden, Hiram, 21
Althen, Daniel, 175
Arnold, George H., 175
Avery, A. G.,174
Baltzel, G. H., 169
Baltzel, W. H., 169
Barton, Daniel, 170
Barton, Theodore, 170
Barton, William, 136
Bastian, David, 170
Bastian, George B., 25
Beadle, Judd, 170
Blackburn, John A., 27
Blaine, C. G., 169
Blakely, La Mott M., 320
Boeheim, F. W., & Son, 169
Bourne, W. E., 174
Bradley, Benjamin, 28
Bradley, Judd B., 26
Bradley, William, 22
Breisch, F. L., 31
Burnett, A. E., 174
Carver, George L., jr., 186
Carver, George W., 186
Chamberlain, D wight S., Dr., 313
Collins, T. W., 312
Creager, John, 35
Cronise, Samuel, 186
David, William Glenn, 44
Deuchler, Louis, 45
Deuchler, Philip, 182
Dillingham, Delos, 182
Dunn, James, 183
Dunn, James J., 183
Dunning, G. W., 181
Ellenwood, Ensign W., 114
Ennis, Charles, 49
Fellows, Frank L., 51
Fellows, George F., 177
Fisher, Charles, 119
Fisher, Jacob, 140
Forgham, Richard F., 54
Forrester, H. E., 177
Gates, A. H., 280
Getman, George W., 56
Gilbert, Edward F., 57
Gilbert, John P., 56
Goseline, Peter, 287
Grimm, George F. , 280
Groat, Frederick, jr., 280
Hamra, Edson W., 62
Hammond, Burton, 133
INDEX.
335
Harding, John R. , Rev., 6C
Hartman, P. T., 242
Hendee, Alpheus, 132
Hill, Edmund, 62
Hoffman, Augustus L., 66
Holmes, Sebastian D., 65
Hopkins, W. A., 237
Hotchkiss, H. G., 63
Howell, Veron R., 316
Jennings, Henry, 70
Jordon, J. S., 236
Keller, Dwight, 235
Killick, Henry, 133
Kinney, W. H., 73
Knowles, George H., 234
Koester, George W. , 73
Lake, Luther S. , 76
Lane, Charles, 74
Lockwood, B.'F., 216
McCollum, W. E. , 80
McClelland, David, 80
McOmber, Frank H., 83
Mapes, George, 212
Merchant, John, 81
Miles, William, 83
Miller, George F., 176
Miller, F. L., 212
Mirick, W. P., 212
Moore, Charles H. , 213
Moran, Daniel, 81
Munn, John, 212
Munn, Wm. H., 213
Myers, J. C, 213
Ostrander, L. A. , Rev. , 87
Paine, William T., 89
Patten, Silas, 89
Patterson, Roger J., 209
Parshall, Rossman J., 209
Phillips, Clarence A. , 209
Putney, Hubbard W., 90
Randall, Peleg, 203
Ray, H. C, 96
Redgrave, Samuel C. , 225
Reed, John Sherburne, 206
Robinson, C. K. 202
Robinson, John W., 204
Rogers, Hiram C, 207
Rogers, William G., 139
Sautler, Edward, 317
Schwab, Philip, 201
Scott & Co., Samuel, 102
Shepard, Albert, 103
Sherman, Stephen D., 102
Shuler, George H., 200
Sparks, Jefferson, 201
Stephan Brothers, 201
Sweeting, Volney H., 106
Taft, Newell, 106
Taylor, E. P., 3
Taylor, William, 112
Teller, Daniel V., 195
Terry, George H.,3
Towar, Alex H., 112
Towar, H. T, 112
Towlerton, Charles H., 140
Townsend, Hammond, 195
Trowbridge, Noble P., 127
Turner, Jennie, Dr., 5
Van Dusen, Harlan, 316
Van Etten, J. W., 10 ,
Van Fleet, B. D., 233
Veeder, Major A., 9
Westcott, Horace T. , 133
Whitlock, Levi J., 12
Whitman, Irvin A., 12
Wolfe, John, 316
York, Thomas, 122
Youngs, L. S., 19
Zimmerlin Brothers, 226
MACEDON
Alderman, George F., 17U
Allyn, John L., 131
Baker David C, 168
Baker, Edward, 173
Baker, John E., 116
Barker, David E., 22
Beal. Emery, 172
Bently, Joseph W., 168
336
LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
Bickford, Lyman, 30
Blaker, Benjamin C, 23
Blaker, Thomas R., 155
Budd, Gilbert, 204
Budlong, A. P., 168
Bullis, Abraham, 168
Chapman, Robert, 187
Chapman, William A., 292
Clark, C. W., 187
Coniff, John, 188
Durfee, Hiram C, 181
Fogerty, Timothy, 53
'Fritts, Aaron, 50
Gage, Austin J., 280
Gridley, William H., 280
Hance, Thomas C, 60
Harbou, James B., 68
Herendeen, Charles B., 64,
Hickox, William, 237
Hicks, Frank B., 67
Hicks, George, 145
Hoag, Isaac R., 237
Hoag, Myron L., 115
llurlburt, John, 128
Johnson, J. Irvin, 71
Jordon, William H., 70
Lane, John D., 234
Lapham, O. C, 217
Lapham, Stephen W., 76
Lawrence, Walter, 76
Lent, J. H., 74
Little, Henry M., 77
Mansfield, George, 214
Martz, Frederick, 214
Mead, John G., 85
Murphy, John H., 213
Norman, William, 211
Patridge, Daniel, 207
Pickering, William, 90
Ramsdell, Frank G., 126
Reeve, Abraham 204
Richmond, Thomas J., 206
Rouch, Frank, 96
Sampson, Thomas, 104
Servoss, E. B., 197
Shourds, Daniel S., 102
Smith, Gideon, 117
Smith, Menzo, 105
Sutphen, John M., 201
Van Duzer, Z. A., 192
Wilkinson, Joseph, 228
MARION.
Allen, Henry C, 22
Austin, William C, 22
Bilby, John H., 166
Bilby, Joseph, 166
Boss, Cornelius, 244
Boss, John, 166
Crane, Zebina, 189
Croncher, William, 38
Curtis, Daniel, 120
Curtis, Edward, 38
Davis, B. D., 181
De Right, Daniel, 180
De Right, Henry, 180
Finn, AllenS., 177
Ganze, Henfy A., .V.)
( rarlock, Abram, 55
Gibbs, Newton ()., 152
Gilbert, Joseph,. 55
Gilbert, William, 279
Goossen, James, 129
Gurnee, Isaac H, 55
Howard, George M., 67
Knapp, Allen, 235
Lookup, William, 75
McOmber, Amos, 79
Milhan, Martin L., 215
Morrison, Jacob, 216
Noonan, M. D,, 211
O'Dell, John S., 211
Reeves, Stephen, 206
Richards, D'., 204
See, Andrew, 199
Shippers, Abram, 198
Smith, Hastings B., Ill
Sweezy, Smith, 198
Taber, Henry R., 7
/
5'
INDEX.
337
Tassell, Charles L., 196
Van Lare, Jacob, 194
Vanostrand, Fred L., 7
Warner, R. K., 18
Warner, Erotus, L29
West, Solomon B., 232
Wilcox, II. H., 232
ONTARIO.
Alborn, Edward F., 21
Albright, John H., 20
Allen, Charles E., 21
Allen, F. S., 21
Barnsdale, Thomas, 172
Bean, Amos, 27
Bennett, John A., 172
Boynton, Frank M., 173
Boynton, Lorenzo R., 131
Brandt, J. S., 29
Brant, Hamilton, 33
Brockman, Lewis, 31
Brown, R. K, 171
Brundedge, Philip, 125
Budd, Thomas, 171
Casey, AW., 184
Clark, William H., 183
Cone, Walter L., jr., 35
Craven, D. P., 35
Denney Loren, 47
Down, George A., 43
Eaton, James E., 49
Fewster, Charles, 51
Fisher, Abram, 54
Fisher, John N., 118
Fries, William, 52
Gardner, Amos, 58
Gates, Melvin B. , 54
Harrison, Edwin H., 64
Hoag, Benjamin H., 238
Hopkins, Burton J., 61
Howk. John C, 140
Huston, William, 66
Jennings, Loren, 70
Johnson, Russell, 149
Jones, Harvey, 71
Middleton, Ira, 212
Morse, John J., 123
Nash, C. J., 150
Norton, G. P., 86
Osborn, P. F., 210
Owen, C. Wooster, 87
Palmer. Oscar, 92
Payne, William, 207
Pease, Charles, 208
Peer, T. J., 90
Pintler, Freeman, 94
Pound, Charles E., 93
Pratt, J. D., 151
Pratt, Jonathan S., 148
Pulver, R. T., 139
Ray, William L., 100
Raymour, L. S., 95
Redner, P., 97
Riker, John, 99
Risley, Charles M. , 202
Sands, Alexander, 110
Scott, Mathew B. , 200
Slocum, Smith E., 100
Smith, Elias, 150
Smouton, C. H., 147
Stanford, Daniel J., 103
Stanford, Harvey E., 149
Stuber, Seymour, 103
Swadling, Stephen, 144
Thatcher, Cyrus, 128
Thayer, Aldrich, 5
Thompson, Harry P., 146
Turner, Albert, 135
Van Der Veer, H. E. , 10
Waldo, Horace, 228
Wall, William, 17
Warner, John A., 113
Whitbourn, Joseph, 227
Whitcomb, Flynn, 226
Whitney, O. F., 231
Willard, William G. , 14
Williams, Henry, 14
Willits, E. D., 12
Woodhams, Owen, 227
Woodhams, R. A., 13
Wooster, Oscar A. , 150
338
LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
PALMYRA.
Allen, Joseph, 21
Anderson, E. B., 20
Beadle, M. D., 171
Brown, Elisha, 23
Brown, George R., 171
Bump, William H., 171
Button, William W., 28
Carman, Truman, 37
Chase, H. L., 37 '
Clark, James O., 34
Clark, Samuel, 36
Coates, John C, 185
Cole, Frank W., 184
Cole, Lafayette, 184
Corning, John W., 40
Corning, Joseph W. , 39
Crandall, F. G., 41
Davis, Barnet H., 45
Edgerton, W. W., 49
Eldridge, Lewis, 48
Finley, Mark C, 54
Foster, William, 177
Frost, Samuel, 151
Galloway, James, 142
Garlock Packing Company, 56
Goldsmith, David, 281
Goldsmith, Thomas, 281
Greene, Almon C, 282
Harrison, George, 122
Hennessy, W. J., Dr., 239
Hillimire, Anson, 239
Johnson, William R., 68
Johnson, William R., 69
Jordan, E. T., 69
Langden, Alonzo, 216
Mclntyre, S. B., 79
McLouth, Charles, 81
Milne, Alexander P., 148
Parker, Lorenzo, 208
Philip, Thaddeus, 149
Powers, William A. , 208
Sansbury, Alfred W., 108
Saunders, Enoch, 103
Sawyer, S. N., 105
Smoulton, John, 200
Sutton, Ezra B., 105
Townsend, Jonathan, 3
Wigglesworth, A. G., 146
Williamson Brothers, 230
ROSE.
Barless, R. C, Dr., 294
Boyce, Isaac, 296
Briggs, John. 219
Cullen, Thomas, 293
Ellinwood, E. Chester, 223
Garratt, Richard, 220
Gordon, Hiram, 286
Graham, Nelson R., 284
Grenell, Herman, 321
Hart, Samuel C, 277
Hickok, Eugene, 176
Horton, William O., 277
Jeffers, George, 221
Jeffers, Henry, 221
Jewell, Alva, 275
Le Vanway, Joseph, 243
Lyman, Milo S., 314
Lyman, Samuel, 244
Oaks, Charles G., 264
Ream, Fred, 313
Rodwell, William, 258
Seager, Asher W., 175
Sherman, Charles B., 253
Snow, Lorenzo M., 254
Thompson, S. P., 250
Welch, T. B., 247
Wilson, Ephraim B., 248
INDEX.
339
SAVANNAH.
Allen, Wells A., 157
Anderson, George, 20
Bates, C. A., 15?
Bixby, John H., 130
Calkins, William M., 158
Campbell, Grove E., Rev., 159
Carncross, Andrew, 148
Carver, P. K., 34
Clarke, Byron G., 159
Coleman, C. A., 158
Cotten, D. J.. 158
Cotton, Jerome, 158
Crandle, R. S., 36
Davis, Daniel D., Rev., 45
Dunham, Henry, 42
Dunham, Jerry, 159
Dunham, Laura Ann, Mrs., 42
Earley, James, 49
Evans, David H., 148
Farnum, Ammon S., 53
Farrand, G. A., 53
Farrand, Isaac T., 53
Ferris, O'Connell, 159
Gage, B. F., 281
Goss, James W., 281
Gregg, Alexander, 281
Hall, Aaron, 64
Hall, Aaron F., 64
Hamilton, David R. , 63
Harrington, Eb. , 63
Hogan, A. N., 143
Holdridge, A. J., 300
Ingersoll, John, Mrs., 160
Jepson, Charles B., 70
Laird, John B. , 75
Long, Charles, 76
McGinniss, Michael, 78
Magraw, George R., 160
Male, Edwin B., 161
Merriman, H. E., 160
Merritt, Gordon, 161
Mesner, John, 160
Monroe, Allida, Mrs., 160
Munson, John A., 80
Newton, H. E., 161
North, Orissa, Miss, 85
Olmstead, H. M., 161
Platner, Solomon, 156
Plumb, Charles G., 147
Pomeroy, E. P., 161
Quackenbush, Elizabeth, Mrs., 89
Rector, Sarah, Mrs., 96
Rising, Henry C. , 94
Rising, Joseph H. , 94
Roberts, Cyrus, 162
Sedore, Ira B., 163
Seelye, Jesse, 101
Severance, Smith, 162
Silver, O. Clate, 102
Smith, Ensign, 19
Smith, Horace W., 104
Soule, Harriet B., 101
Soule, Mary and Lavinia, 102
Spoor, Abijah, 162
Spoore, John L., 163
Stevens, Elford, 162
Stuck, Henry, 145
Sweeting, William H., 105
Swift, Philip, Rev., 162
Taylor, Henry, 163
Ure, Hosea, 8
Vanderpool, George, 164
Van Duyne, Ezra M. , 7
Van Dyke, Ralph, Mrs., 144
Van Wickle, Simon, 149
Vought, N. C, 164
Westcott, George H., 165
Widrig, Russell, 165
Wiley, C. C, 165
Williams, Albert, 165
Williams, Samuel, 11
Wilsey, Irving, 164
Wood, Alonzo D. , 1 64
Wood, Charles, 12
340
LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
vSODUS.
Andrews, Asa P., 299
Arnold, William T.,24!
Barclay, William, 294
Bartleson, Peter, 295
Bates, Lewis, 222
Kelden, Samuel P., 295
Bennett, Clark T., 298
Brant Family, the, 296
Brower, Aldice W., 316
Brundige, Cornelius O., 243
Butts, Porter P., 307
Carpenter, Orville, 293
Champlin, George W., 292
Cheetham, William J., 225
Delano, Edward Chandler, 224
De Right, Samuel H., 291
Dufloo, William, 291
Emery, Walter, 289
Kspenscheid, Nicholas, 221
Field, Warren A., 314
Filkins, William J., 289
Gaylord Family, the, 285
Granger, Sprague S., 315
Greene, Samuel B., 22:!
Gulick, Amos, 285
Hanby, James E., 302
Hill, Charles H., 241
Hill, Gilbert and Noadiah, 276
Hopkins, E. Horace, 217
Horn, John P., 278
Hulett, William J., 278
Jolly, Thompson, Rev., 275
Kansier, Christopher, 274
Knapp, Walter, 224
Lent, Charhs I)., 271
Mason, William H., 269
Mather, Ehsha B., 233
Miehl, Philip, 267
Moody, Charles R., 268
Norris Family, the, 266
Pearsall, John T., 315
Potter, James, 262
Pot wine, Thomas H.. 264
Pulver, John, 314
Proseus, Elias, 264
Redman, Abraham, 223
Reynolds, Frank L., 258
Riggs, Prine, 258
Robinson, Rowland, 225
Robinson, Thomas, 259
Rogers, Erastus, 222
Rogers, George H., 259
Sauer, Martin, 315
Sentell, Edward W., 255
Seymour, Morris J., 315
Snyder, Eli, 254
Snyder, George, 254
Snyder, Henry J., 25:!
Spear, Mahlon, 253
Tinckelpaugh, William H., 220
Toor, Charles H., 251
Trowbridge, Theodore B., 221
Turner, Nathan M., 251
Van Slyck, Charles D., 314
Vosburgh, William, 305
Warren, Gardiner D., 241
Waters, John, 248
Whitbeck Family, the, 246
Wride, William, 246
WALWORTH.
Baker, J. W., 115
Bills, William, 124
Brandt, George, L30
Bumpus, E. I)., Ill
Clemans, Putney, 152
1 >owning, Fred 1'.., Ill
Elliott, Charles, 179
Ellison, Richard T.. 122
Foskett, James G., 141
Frawley, Jacob, 125
Freer, John, 143
Fuller, Roswell D., 157
INDEX.
341
Gilbert, Charles D., 143
Gould, Therou O., 152
Gould, William E., 142
Haley Edward, 138
Hamm, Andrew J., 119
Harris, Calvin P., 238
Hoyt, Daniel, 115
Hunt, William, 238
Johnson, Samuel J., 130
Loomis, F. H., 218
Lotze, John, 217
McKee, Hiram, 214
Main, Marquis S., 234
Moore, F. W., 152
Murphy, James S., 21G
Orchard, R. P., 210
Payne, George, 130
Peacock, Albertus J., 129
Reed, R. T., 145
Smith, Frank W., 151
Stalker, Robert, 114
Tiffany, Reuben, 146
Wait, G. W., 129
White, John T., 229
Williams, M. E., 229
Wooster, Denison S., 151
Wooster, Hiram O., 144
Yeomans, Albert, 144
WILLIAMSON.
Austin, Orlando, 20
Beardsley, David S., 30
Bennett, Charles, 25
Bennett, John P. , 29
Benton, William, 32
Berzine Family, The, 135
Britton, John, 33
Britton, Joseph, 167
Buckles, Abram, 168
Carr, Robert S. , 39
Cheetham, Richard M.,40
Clarke, F. Wake, 37
Cogswell, Hiram S., 188
Cornelius, John, 188
Dehond, Abram F., 43
Deright, Hermones D., 180
De Zutter, Cornelius, 46
Eaton, William L. , 245
Fish, Chauncey, Capt, 287
Fish, Harry S., 222
Gates, Joseph J., 120
Hanby, Joseph H., 68
Hance, De Witt C, 69
Hoagland, Charles B., 238
Holling, Andrew, 155
Laing, John A., 217
Lyon, Samuel, 76
Mason. Charles, 143
Mason, D., 234
Milhan, David R., 84
Miller, Charles A., 2U
Mullie, Isaac, 78
Paget, Tom, 91
Pallister, Albert A., 88
Pallister, Harley C, 157
Pallister, Richard, 93
Pearsall, G. A., 155
Peer, Barton P. , 91
Plyte, Isaac, 91
Rodgers, Mason L. , 205
Russell, Darius F., 120
Russell, W. D., 98
Selby, Amos E., 108
Selby, Stephen Fish, 141
Shepard, John, 197
Sprague, John A., 107
Sprague, L. S., 112
Swift, ElishaT., 242
Tassell, Frank W., 194
Teats, John H., 156
Van Eenwyk, John, 125
Van Holde, John, 194
Wamesfelder, Daniel, 229
Waters, George F., 17
Wilder, F. S., 15
Wilson, Royal P., 128
342
LANDMARKS OF WAYNE COUNTY.
WOLCOTT.
Barber, William, 28
Bates, MaryE., 28
Bevier, Fred, 32
Blackmore, H. F., 173
Booth, B. S.,30
Bradway, A. J., 174
Brink, A. C, 24
Brinkerhoff, George W., 124
Brooks, Alfred, 174
Bullock, Ira, 138
Burghdorf, Joseph, 33
Campbell, W. P., 118
Carrier, Amaziah T., 191
Church, William O., 191
Cosad, Samuel, 192
Crafts, Alfred P., 39
Creque, Hermon C, 41
Curtis, Omar M., 191
Cuyler, John H., 192
De Lamater, George C. , 43
Doolittle, Miss Franc, 183
Dow, Jasper E., 180
Dutcher, John, 45
Easton, Charles H., 50
Eddy, Charles W., 132
Ely, George S., 180
Fanning, Joel, 51
Fenn, Merritt H., 52
Field, N. J., 177
Fisher & Kellogg, 53
Frost, Oscar J., 178
Grant, Willis, 279
Graves, H. A., 139
Green, Hugh, 138
Hale, J. H., 220
Hall, J. Madison, 59
Hanchett, Orange R. , Mrs. , 61
Hawley, William, 240
Hill, Joseph G., 2:!!)
Hoag, Jefferson W., 239
Hoff, Hubbard, 240
Horton, George S., 60
Hoyt, A. W., 240
Hyde, J. H., 240.
Jenkins, Burgess E., 236
Kellogg, A. D., 74
Kellogg, Edward H., 72
Kimball, S. F., 236
Kyle, David J.. 236
Lovejoy, Nelson, 75
Merrill, William H., 82
Newberry, E. W., 211
Newell, Emily J., Mrs., 87
Paddock, H. R., 88
Paddock, W. W., 91
Patrick, R. Z., 210
Perkins, Herbert, 139
Peterson, C. O., 138.
Phillips, John M., 207
Porter, Nathan B., 88
Putnam & Co., J. H., 90
Reed, Enos H., 205
Rice, Amman, 204
Robertson, J. N., 97
Roe, William, 207
Schuyler, Henry, 202
Scott, Irving, 133
Seymour, L. D., 202
Smith, John H., 138
Snyder, J. F., 202
Spurr, John, 132
Strait, John G., 202
Tabor, Charles R., 196
Taylor, Emogene, 5
Taylor, Henry G., 196
Thacker, William H., 4
Tyrrell, J. S., 5
Vanalstine, H. C, 10
Van Valkenburg, C. F., 8
Viele, Charles J., 132
Vought, Nicholas, 192
Waldorf, Jefferson, 227
Waldorf, Reuben, 113
Ward, Reuben, 229
Watkins, R. H., 117
Wells, Albert, 231
Wheeler, Justus J., 14
Wiggins, William H., 232
INDEX.
348
Wilson, Emily J., 227
Wise, A. M., 227
Wood, Anson Sprague, 16
Wood, Noah, 18
Worthy, Henry, 132
Wright, Warren H., 231
Younglove, R. W., 226
PORTRAITS.
Allerton, Oliver Hurd, facing
Bickford, Lyman,
Blakeley, Lamott M. ,
Botcher, Carl,
Burnham, Edwin K. ,
Camp, John Henry,
Clark, William, "
Cowles, George W. ,
Dunwell, James W. ,
Edgett, Ezra A. ,
Fisher, Jacob,
Ford, Charles H. ,
Gaylord, Charles D. ,
Greenwood, Marvin I. ,
Griffith, Frederick W. ,
Hotchkiss, Hiram G., --
Landon, Newell E., Dr., --
Mestler, Nicholas, -
Miller, Edgar D., - "
Sawyer, S. N.,
Saxton, Charles T., --
Sexton, Pliny,
Sexton, Pliny T.,
Stuerwald, John, . . —
Thomas, Orlando F., - --
Tinsley, William T.,
Williams, Stephen,
Yeomans, Theron G. ,
10
Part 11
340
Part I
244
Part I
23
Part II
374
Part I
116
Part I
228
Part I
102
Part I
34
Part II
376
Part I
28
Part II
268
Part I
211
Part I
363
Part I
189
Part I
94
Part I
122
Part I
12
Part II
359
Part I
168
Part I
48
Part I
72
Part I
165
Part I
15
Part II
240
Part I
137
Part I
5
Part II
397
Part 1
. i
5
j